Despite the change in animal (Shelter 2 followed the adventures of a lynx and her cubs, while the first game starred a family of badgers), Shelter 3 offers a similar structure to its predecessors, blending open-world exploration and survival. Here, though, the journey leads your herd across the savannah, on the hunt for new pastures while avoiding natural dangers, including crocodiles and tigers. You’ll find some of that in Shelter 3’s first gameplay trailer below. “Help the matriarch by choosing the best route to keep your herd well fed and safe from harm,” explains Might and Delight. “You’ll use ancient knowledge to navigate, gaining wisdom as you do so. As an elephant you’re not a predator but prey, so you’ll need to steer clear of beasts in the bushes at the same time as avoiding starvation…Your journey will be scattered with special moments as you discover new terrain and untrodden pathways, but grief will also play its part.” Shelter 3 notably moves away from the somewhat solitary nature of previous games in the series to offer a more communal focus, exploring how elephants work together - their social and hierarchical behaviours - and the trials of herd life. “Motherhood, social harmony and inheritance are the keys to prosperity”, says Might and Delight. Shelter 3 was originally due to launch on Steam at the start of the year, but that’s now been pushed back slightly to some time in March. Expect a final release date to be shared soon.
