Ukrainian developer Podoba Interactive, known for Dread Fields and Back to Hearth, has officially announced its next project: I Hear the Forest. The studio revealed the title via social media on August 17, 2026, positioning it as a folk horror game centered on a cursed forest ranger.
Gameplay and Setting
In I Hear the Forest, players navigate a woodland environment filled with supernatural threats, including talking trees, begging dryads, and floating faces. The core gameplay loop blends survival mechanics—such as fishing, mushroom picking, and cooking meals in a cauldron—with combat and exploration. Players must utilize a firearm and magical amulets to defend themselves while searching for ways to lift the curse.
Development and Release Details
While an exact launch date is not yet set, the developer is targeting a 2027 release. The game is currently available to wishlist on Steam.
Regarding production, the studio has stated that it uses generative AI for some page descriptions and previously used AI-generated textures in Back to Hearth, though they noted these assets were manually processed to fit the game's visual style. The team clarified that generative translations on their store pages will eventually be replaced by human-led localization.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Podoba Interactive
- Platform: PC (via Steam)
- Target Release: 2027
- Key Features: Multiple endings, survival mechanics, and a folk horror narrative.