Venture into the sands
Ancient Egyptian-inspired afterlife. That was already enough for me to be drawn to this upcoming title. Fields of Aaru is a simulation title from indie devs Zymartu Games, who just dropped a demo on Steam as part of Summer Game Fest.
The game takes place in Aaru, a mystical version of the ancient Egyptian afterlife. Things begin along the Nile, where you plant your first crops, fish by the riverbanks, gather resources, and build your home. You can also head beyond the village and explore nearby desert regions.
A big part of the experience is helping the people around you. Villagers hand out tasks, while the damaged parts of the settlement need repairs. You spend a lot of time bringing life back to areas that have fallen into disrepair.
You make offerings at shrines to earn blessings and powers. Different gods grant different advantages. Ptah focuses on tools and craftsmanship, Hapi improves crop growth and harvest yields, while Sekhmet provides protection and combat-related abilities.
The demo lets you explore the early areas of the world. You can take your time fishing, farming, completing side activities, restoring Hapi’s shrine, unlocking Boons, and expanding the farm. You can even wander around Aaru.
The Fields of Aaru demo also highlights some of the local animals you’ll encounter along the Nile, including flamingos. It’s warm, handmade, and colourful, with bright environments and ambient water, music, and scenery. You can get your hands on the demo from Steam.
The full version of Fields of Aaru will include more activities beyond farming. There’s fishing and reshaping the landscape through irrigation systems. That includes using shadufs to move water, digging canals, creating new farmland, and expanding what can be grown along the Nile.
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