The Wicker Man is a great influence, too-I loved the customs, the corn dolls, the hare references, the weird door knockers, the green man imagery and the folksy music.”Pastoral paradiseThe rural landscape of The Wicker Man has ebbed into the visual style of the game, which depicts an abundant landscape befitting a fantasy novel or nature guide to a fairy realm. “I became obsessed with tales of the supernatural: ghost dogs that foretold deaths chairs that would curse you when you sat on them. The denizens of the dark forests have also been plucked from British and Irish folklore, combining recognisable creatures, such as banshees and dragons, with stranger ones that I’m forced to Google, with enticing names like the barghest, fachan and gwyllion.This love for fairytales and folklore has influenced the team from a young age, in particular Edwards who found magic in every corner of his hometown.“I grew up in a market town in North Yorkshire which was surrounded by old abbeys, druidic stones, moors and pine forests,” says Edwards.

Once planted, it grows into a family tree that feels like it’s watching over every decision you make.Inspired by tales of superstition, each village in the game has its own personality, from the grumpy Puritans of Tunt to the pie lovers of Poppyhill. One of these Fae is the jolly but sinister Mr Fairweather, who offers you a mysterious acorn called the Kynseed.

Kynseed mods