A demo of Hela: Of Mice & Magic, a heartwarming open-world adventure game from Windup Games and Knights Peak, is now available ahead of the full game's planned release on December 1, 2026.
The game has been touring game events around the world under the name "Hela Tour 2026," starting with Tokyo Game Show 2026 in September. A gameplay trailer for the demo was released during the indie game showcase The Triple-i Initiative on October 8 and at IGN Fan Fest: Fall Edition on October 14, drawing attention from players around the world.
The game is also taking part in Steam Next Fest, which began on Monday, October 19. The demo is currently available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Xbox PC app.
A Small Adventure Made Just for the Demo
The demo is not simply a slice of the full game. So that players can enjoy it without worrying about spoilers for the full version, it comes with a dedicated map and its own story, developed as a self-contained "small adventure."
In a corner of a vast forest, players work to restore a wizard's powers while heading for her home. Their task is to collect the "radiance" scattered around the forest. How to proceed is up to the player: explore the world out of curiosity and lend a helping hand to everyone you meet.
Follow Your Curiosity
Players can explore the Nordic-flavored world at a relaxed pace, taking detours, discovering hidden secrets, and searching for a way back home. From a little mouse's point of view, everyday objects can become obstacles or turn into useful tools.
A Reliable Companion: The Magic Frog Backpack
The "Magic Frog Backpack" is a companion for physics-based puzzles and movement. It can swing from branches with its tongue, or inflate to glide through the air.
Alone or Together
The demo can be played solo at a leisurely pace, or with a friend in split-screen local co-op. When playing alone, the "Clone" ability creates a magical clone that can operate mechanisms and solve puzzles, letting solo players experience the excitement of co-op play.
Note: This demo supports local co-op and single-player only, and has no save function. Online co-op for up to four players and features such as "medicine-making" will be available in the full version, released on December 1, 2026.
Demo Trailer
A trailer for the demo is available on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erJJSBwuIcg
Hela Tour 2026
Hela: Of Mice & Magic is scheduled to appear at events around the world.
- September 17–21: Tokyo Game Show (Japan)
- October 8: The Triple-i Initiative (online showcase)
- October 9–11: PAX Australia (Australia)
- October 14: IGN Fan Fest (online showcase)
- October 19–26: Steam Next Fest (online), currently running
- October 22–25: Paris Games Week (France)
- October 24–25: G-Fusion Game Fest (Beijing, China)
- November 6–8: ENDIX Expo (online)
- November 21–22: WePlay Expo (Shanghai, China)
- December 1: Indie Live Expo (online)
Game Overview
- Title: Hela: Of Mice & Magic
- Release Date: December 1, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Platforms: PC (Steam / Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S
- Price: Package edition: ¥4,400 (tax included); Digital edition: to be announced
- Players: Split-screen: 1 to 2 players; Online multiplayer: 1 to 4 players
- Developer: Windup Games
- Publisher: Knights Peak, Shochiku
Store Pages:
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3161310/Hela_of_Mice__Magic/?l=japanese
- PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/ja-jp/concept/10012485/
- Xbox (Microsoft Store): https://www.xbox.com/ja-JP/games/store/hela-of-mice-magic/9nmbdprkk1xf
- Epic Games Store: https://store.epicgames.com/p/hela-6d220a
- Nintendo Switch 2: Coming soon
