Hawk: The Initiation is a role-playing game that places a strong emphasis on character interaction, progression, exploration, survival, crafting, and combat. The world is vibrant, richly detailed, and truly immersive—designed to feel alive and brimming with possibilities. Every corner offers something exciting to uncover, someone fascinating to meet, and something valuable to learn. It’s a world where there’s never a dull or empty moment, keeping players engaged and eager for more!
The Universe
In fact, Hawk’s universe spans across both time and space, offering endless possibilities. His journey begins on planet Earth, where he’s sent to investigate a mysterious portal hidden deep in the Amazonian jungle. Upon stepping through, he finds himself in a world far less technologically advanced—a medieval setting where life is drastically different. But that’s just the beginning. As the game progresses, players will travel to other worlds and times, each with its own unique people, technology, cultures, and goals.
This approach gives me the freedom to unleash my imagination without limits, crafting a universe full of surprises and endless adventures. – Alex Glonti
The Choices in Hawk’s Universe are Yours!
In many games, you’re placed at the center of the universe—nothing happens without the hero’s involvement. But not in Hawk: The Initiation. This universe has (canonically) existed for millennia before Hawk’s arrival, and it will most likely continue for millennia after he’s gone. Events unfold whether or not Hawk is there to witness or influence them, creating a living, breathing world where you’re just one part of a much larger story. It’s not about being the center of the universe—it’s about finding your place within it.
In this universe, you have complete freedom to shape your own path. You can be a decent, well-loved person admired by everyone, or a rascal despised by all—the choice is yours. The game doesn’t dictate what’s right or wrong. Moreover, sometimes the player’s choice makes something right or wrong. It’s entirely up to you and Hawk to decide where your moral compass points and how your story unfolds.
Hawk’s ultimate goal in this universe can’t be simpler: It’s SURVIVAL. At times, the world can be forgiving, with friendly faces and helpful allies. But more often than not, he’ll face harsh and unforgiving challenges – extreme temperatures, a lack of vital atmosphere, harmful substances, wild animals, bandits, monsters, and hidden traps. Every step Hawk takes carries the weight of uncertainty; it could lead to disaster or unlock new opportunities. The constant balance between risk and reward makes survival an intense and rewarding challenge, keeping you on the edge of your seat at every turn.
Interaction System
Hawk: The Initiation features an intricate and dynamic interaction system, setting it apart from traditional RPGs. No two NPCs are the same—each comes with a unique backstory, personal goals, and a meaningful role in Hawk’s universe. While many RPGs boast unique NPCs, what makes Hawk: The Initiation truly stand out is that nearly every line of dialogue carries weight and impacts the world around you.
NPCs react dynamically to Hawk based on a variety of factors, including his appearance, reputation in the area, past actions toward them or other characters, and more. On top of that, the game integrates a mood system for NPCs, adding a layer of realism rarely seen in games. Just like in real life, moods fluctuate—NPCs’ attitudes can shift depending on the time of day, the weather, interactions with other characters (or Hawk himself), and countless other factors. This creates a living, breathing world where every interaction feels authentic and every decision matters.
This system adds an exciting layer of randomness to the game, drastically reducing chances of two playthroughs being the same. I’ve gone the extra mile to make every experience in Hawk: The Initiation unique for each player, creating a world that feels fresh and unpredictable every time you dive in. – Alex Glonti
Sometimes, when faced with tough decisions, Hawk can leave it all to fate. His trusty coin is always there to provide an answer, letting the player delegate decision-making to the computer. This unique feature adds an element of unpredictability, creating endless scenarios and ensuring every playthrough feels fresh and unique. Whether you take control or let the coin decide, the possibilities are limitless!
QUESTS
Your main quest in Hawk: The Initiation is to reunite with your squadmates and find a way back home. Along the way, you’ll experience countless milestones, unforgettable moments, deep emotions, and impactful decisions. While you can choose to complete this quest and make it the conclusion of Hawk’s story, the game offers so much more.
Equal attention has been given to the side quests, which are packed with rich stories, unique and rewarding challenges, and opportunities to shape your adventure in unexpected ways. Some side quests can even influence the main storyline, adding even more depth and connection. Whether you focus on the main quest or dive into the vast array of side stories, the choice – and the journey – is entirely yours!
The Randomness
In Hawk: The Initiation, every player’s experience is truly their own. There’s a chance that some players may never encounter a quest, storyline, or even certain NPCs that others come across. This level of variability means that YouTube walkthroughs might lose their spoiler effect—what one player experiences could be entirely different for another. In the same conversation, one player might receive a specific response from an NPC, while another might get the complete opposite, depending on their choices and actions. It’s a game designed to keep you guessing and make every journey feel personal and unique!
Activities
A tremendous amount of effort went into making Hawk: The Initiation a world overflowing with possibilities. The game is packed with activities designed to fully immerse you in its universe—you can dig for treasures, steal other people’s belongings, grow fruits and vegetables, hunt animals for trophies, fish, chop wood, mine ore, craft and customize a vast array of items, trade goods, eat, drink, build and manage estates, and even reshape your surroundings. You can share intimate moments, sit by a campfire to hear a story, or simply lose yourself in the endless opportunities the game offers. And that’s just a glimpse of what’s possible in Hawk’s universe. Every action adds layers of depth, making the world feel alive and giving you the freedom to craft your own one-of-a-kind adventure.
None of the activities mentioned are mandatory—they’re simply there to make your journey easier in certain situations and to let you discover what you enjoy most. There’s no grinding required; you’re free to engage with the world at your own pace. Whether you choose to dive into crafting, hunting, building, or simply exploring, it’s all about finding your own way to thrive and have fun in Hawk: The Initiation.
Adaptive AI
The game features a unique Enemy AI adaptation system that adjusts to your skill level. By analyzing various criteria, the game learns how well you play and adapts the encounters with bandits, wild animals, monsters, and other hostile characters accordingly. This ensures a balanced experience—challenging enough to keep you engaged, but never so difficult that it becomes frustrating. With this system, the game will always strike the perfect balance between excitement and accessibility.
Keep Your Wits About You
In most RPGs, conflict is often the default solution. While Hawk has the option to tackle many challenges through violence and combat, it’s not always the smartest or most rewarding approach. In Hawk: The Initiation, players are encouraged to think creatively and explore alternative solutions. Diplomacy, clever problem-solving, or even walking away can sometimes lead to better outcomes. In fact, resolving a problem diplomatically might unlock greater benefits and opportunities for the player in the long run. It’s all about choosing the path that suits your playstyle!
Mini-Games
Hawk can earn some extra currency on the side by participating in fun and engaging mini-games. From testing your skills to simply enjoying a break from the main adventure, these mini-games add variety and excitement. Plus, some quests will even be tied to these mini-games, making them an integral and rewarding part of your journey. It’s a great way to mix things up and keep the experience fresh!
Things are bound to change…
The game is currently in development and is planned to be released chapter by chapter—or in this case, world by world. While this approach might not appeal to everyone, it gives the studio the flexibility to adapt and implement changes based on player feedback. This means we can fine-tune the game as we go, ensuring a better experience for everyone. Plus, it allows us more time to polish each chapter and pack in even more exciting features. Your input will directly help shape Hawk: The Initiation into the best game it can be!