REKA is a yet-to-be-fully-released cozy base-building and resource-gathering simulator where you play as the titular witch-in-training. Read our review of its early access build to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Everything We Know About REKA
REKA Story Plot
REKA is a charming and immersive base-building game set in the evocative world of late 19th-century rural Europe. You step into the magical shoes of a witch-in-training, completing tasks and running errands for none other than Baba Jaga herself, as well as for the villagers you encounter while traveling in your magical, chicken-legged cottage.
Along the way, you'll encounter wilderness gods, obscure mythological creatures, and those bold enough to defy them. As you develop your witchcraft, you'll master the arts of cooking, gathering, and casting spells—whether to assist or thwart those you meet. With each success, the rewards of your journey accumulate, and your cottage grows even cozier, filled with the memories and mementos of your past adventures.
REKA Gameplay
In REKA, gameplay centers on exploring enchanting forests, fields, and swamps to gather both magical and mundane ingredients. Use your findings to craft potions, medicines, and magical supplies that help and heal the local villagers. As you progress, you can expand your whimsical, chicken-legged cottage, making it uniquely yours by adding new crafting stations, furniture, and decorations. Customize your ever-growing home to reflect your journey, blending the cozy charm of cottage-core with the mystique of witchcraft.
REKA Release Date
REKA will be released on September 12, 2024, for the PC via Steam. The game’s early access release will include its opening chapter, allowing you to meet with Baba Jaga, start building your cottage, explore the game’s sandbox world, and complete beginner quests. Additional content is expected as the game progresses through early access.
REKA Review [Early Access]
Promising Low-Stakes Witchcraft
REKA is a game that’s hard to pin down at first, largely due to its unique 19th-century European aesthetic and low-stakes gameplay centered around pagan witchcraft. Before playing, I struggled to grasp its appeal. It features base-building, resource gathering, and exploration, but lacks the typical conflict or high-stakes scenarios found in most games. Initially, this absence of urgency felt like a flaw, but as I spent more time in REKA’s world, I began to appreciate its gentle, unhurried pace and relaxed approach to witchcraft.
I didn’t expect much beyond its striking art direction and intriguing concept. However, the more I played, the more I grew fond of REKA’s simplicity and the joy of being a witch-in-training under the legendary Baba Jaga’s guidance. It’s not trying to be the next Hogwarts Legacy, but it offers its own brand of magic—quiet, cozy, and utterly captivating.
REKA’s charm lies in its laid-back simulation mechanics, blending base-building, crafting, exploration, and RPG-style fetch quests. You play as a young witch working towards becoming a full-fledged spellcaster. Unlike other games where quests are urgent or world-altering, REKA allows you to take things at your own pace. It’s about building your chicken-legged cottage, honing your magical skills, and helping villagers with tasks that encourage creativity and exploration. Quests reward you not with power, but with new decorations and blueprints, turning each journey into its own reward.
The setting plays a significant role in REKA’s allure. The game’s world, inspired by rustic 19th-century Europe, is filled with swamps, forests, and open fields, all bathed in a mythological atmosphere drawn from lesser-known pagan gods and creatures. Exploring this lush, open world reveals unmarked points of interest, hidden secrets, and dynamic landscapes that encourage freeform play. The map feels alive, filled with ingredients for potions and new areas to decorate your cottage.
Speaking of the cottage, it’s one of the game’s standout features—a mobile, chicken-legged home inspired by Baba Jaga’s iconic hut. Early on, you conjure your own version, which serves as the heart of your base-building and crafting endeavors. It’s not just a decorative element but a functional space for customization, storage, and crafting. While it doesn’t serve as a defensive stronghold, it symbolizes your progress and achievements, embodying the spirit of the game’s relaxed, personal journey.
REKA’s base-building mechanics shine with a beautiful array of adaptive options and a wide variety of decorations, though placement can be finicky at times. The potential for creative rural architecture is vast, and while there’s room for improvement, it’s easy to get lost in the satisfaction of designing your dream witch’s cottage.
Visually, REKA captures the essence of a tranquil witchcraft and ritual simulator, with lush low-poly graphics and dynamic lighting that evoke a rich, rural landscape. The audio design complements this atmosphere with a soothing blend of nature sounds, woodwinds, and gentle strings, though it could benefit from a bit more variety—-something along the lines of grander fanfare or upbeat exploration, all still in theme, of course. Performance-wise, the game manages to run well on lower-end systems, though some optimizations are still needed to ensure a smooth experience across the board.
Overall, REKA is a spellbinding blend of exploration and creativity, capturing the essence of a peaceful stroll through the woods. It’s a low-pressure, high-reward experience that invites you to embrace the slow magic of a witch’s life. While there’s room for refinement in its mechanics and presentation, REKA’s early access version already offers a truly enchanting glimpse into a world that’s as cozy as it is captivating.
Brings A Lesser-Known Mythology to Life
If Baba Jaga’s name didn’t already hint at the mythological inspiration behind REKA, other figures like Leshy certainly will. Though REKA isn’t the first game to showcase the Slavic pantheon, it stands out as one of the few that brings these gods and nature spirits to life with great respect and authenticity.
Unlike games like Dungeons & Dragons or Inscryption, where characters like Leshy are often portrayed as sinister or antagonistic, REKA embraces them as they were originally intended—guardians of nature and protectors of the wild. Baba Jaga, a central figure in many Slavic myths, plays a major role as Reka’s mentor, offering a fresh and engaging portrayal of this iconic witch. Reka’s journey under her guidance adds a new layer to a character often misunderstood in popular culture.
While REKA may not propel the Slavic pantheon into the same mainstream recognition as Greek or Norse mythology, it serves as a beautiful representation of 19th-century Europe. It’s a charming tribute to a rich, lesser-known folklore, bringing its mysticism and vibrant natural world to the forefront in a way that few games have managed to do.
Quest Variety is Decent, If a Bit Uninspired
Much of REKA’s progression comes from the quests given by villagers and Baba Jaga, serving as an effective way to guide players through the game’s sandbox environment. While this approach works well to introduce core mechanics like cooking, building, and navigation, the quests quickly become repetitive, often falling into basic fetch tasks or map-scouring objectives. The game could greatly benefit from a broader variety of quests to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
Although the lack of combat and RPG elements limits quest diversity, there’s still potential for more creative mission types as the game evolves in early access. Adding different kinds of challenges, puzzles, or narrative-driven tasks would enrich the gameplay loop. Additionally, clearer mission objectives—visible outside of direct dialogue with quest givers—would help players stay oriented and enhance the overall flow of exploration.
Low-Stakes Gameplay Won't Be For Everyone (and that’s okay)
Now, let’s address the gigantic chicken-legged cottage in the room—REKA’s niche appeal. To be clear, I’m a fan of the game’s low-stakes progression and laid-back design. There’s something refreshing about not having to worry about life-or-death scenarios, in-game currency, or reputation penalties every time you step out to complete a task. REKA lets you play entirely at your own pace, with no pressure from an overarching narrative or end goal—mainly because there isn’t one, and that’s part of its charm.
However, this style won’t appeal to everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. Some players thrive on time constraints, others crave challenges, and some just enjoy watching the sunset over the gables of their Slavic chicken house. If you’re in the first two categories, REKA might not be the game for you, and that’s unlikely to change. It excels in creating a relaxing, cozy atmosphere, and as the game continues to develop, it seems determined to stay true to that vibe.
Map and Navigational Bugs Aplenty
REKA is still in early access, so consider the following criticisms with the understanding that these issues can be addressed in future updates. Currently, the game suffers from a few map and navigation glitches, including persistent markers on the map and compass that remain even after objectives are completed, leading to confusion for players trying to fulfill their quests.
There are also some clipping issues with Reka’s player model, which often gets stuck on branches, bridges, and waterlogged logs. These navigation errors can be frustrating, but they are certainly fixable as the game progresses. Additionally, the UI could benefit from scaling options, as some elements are currently too small and difficult to read. These improvements may seem like a lengthy list, but they’re common early access hurdles that will likely be ironed out with future patches.
Game8 Reviews
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REKA Product Information
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| Title | REKA |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 12, 2024 |
| Developer | Emberstorm Entertainment |
| Publisher | Fireshine Games |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Adventure, Simulation |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | REKA Website |
