Xbox experienced significant internal restructuring earlier this year, leading to numerous project cancellations, widespread employee layoffs, and the closure of at least one studio. One notable casualty of these changes was Everwild, a third-person fantasy game from Rare that, after a tumultuous development period, was ultimately discontinued.
Prior to its cancellation, only two trailers of Everwild had been released, offering atmospheric glimpses but few concrete details. The game`s premature end suggested further information would remain elusive. However, recent leaks of early build screenshots have finally offered players a clearer vision of the game that will now never see the light of day.
Initially reported by MP1st, these leaked screenshots originate from a former Rare artist who worked on the game, and are said to reflect a build near its final development stage before cancellation. The images distinctly showcase the game`s vibrant cel-shaded art style and reveal menu/UI elements hinting at farming and survival gameplay mechanics.
Within one of the early Everwild builds, a menu is visible, categorized into `tools,` `seeds,` and `figments.` Seeds and figments seem to be consumable resources, with figments possibly being deployable creatures of various types. The presence of a toolbar implies regularly used items, suggesting a farming component. The game was reportedly conceived as a third-person title incorporating `God game` and survival elements.
A subsequent screenshot displays a more refined and visually enhanced version of this menu. It includes additional tabs indicating items like `mosaics` and `plants,` alongside the previously seen tools, figments, and seeds. Notably, one image features humorous flavor text for a `shrub seed,` playfully questioning the player`s intellect.
Another intriguing leak reveals several of Everwild`s intended settings. MP1st highlights that, according to the original source, Rare had planned to leverage player data from their popular live-service pirate game, Sea of Thieves, to influence Everwild`s environmental design, although no concrete examples of this approach were provided.
The majority of the remaining screenshots offer fleeting glimpses of the game`s environments, albeit with limited detail. One image shows a player character standing before a structure shrouded in fog, while another presents a blurred view of a forest. Despite being from an early build, these visuals demonstrate Everwild`s strong potential for capturing the naturalistic atmosphere seen in its cinematic teasers.
Regrettably, these leaked screenshots are likely the most we will ever see of Everwild. Nevertheless, their emergence provides a welcome, albeit bittersweet, opportunity for fans to finally envision a more tangible version of this promising yet ultimately canceled project.