The Earthlock series is set on the planet of Umbra, which has stopped spinning on its axis, meaning half of the world is completely shrouded in darkness, while the other half is constantly baked in sunlight. Along the border in the middle, there is an area that gets the best of both worlds. The game’s story centres around a group of friends who must set out to find and rescue their missing family members.

The original Earthlock was a very classic turn-based late 90s JRPG-style experience, but with the success of the first game giving the team ample opportunity to grow, Earthlock 2 will take the franchise to the next level. Earthlock 2 will be an open-world action RPG with complex interlocking systems that work together to offer players extensive freedom to customise their own experience.

There is a lot more about the game to share, but for now please enjoy this first tease of the game and one of the key gameplay possibilities that Earthlock 2 will explore

Snowcastle Games  unveiled their reworked vision for Earthlock 2 with a brand new cinematic trailer, along with details on how the game will allow you to transform barron deserts into bursting oasis’ full of life and take control of cool customisable vehicles called Desert Ships.

In Earthlock 2, you, alongside a band of voyagers, stand at the precipice of danger and glory. A vast desert of mystery and possibility awaits for you to explore and transform into an Oasis full of life. You will explore this world with your trusty Desert Ship. The ship starts out as a humble mode of transportation, but with time and effort, it will become your mobile base of operations, and instill fear into your enemies in the desert. Rise to become the most formidable Explorer of Umbra!

Earthlock 2 features a dynamic ecosystem simulator that sees the gameworld change over time and respond to the actions of the player. The Desert of Kor will be your canvas that you can paint with new life, bringing colour and vibrancy to the world. This new life will mean new dangers and challenges for you to deal with and each biome will have different requirements when it comes to nurturing it to its full potential. Doing so will be well worth it, however, thanks to the riches and treasures you will receive to help you on your adventure.

Those rewards will feed into your Desert Ship, the vehicle that will be key to your experience in Earthlock 2. This customisable contraption is a means of transportation, a mobile base and a weapon that will become a reflection of your journey as you grow and upgrade it over time. Tailor it to suit your playstyle, recruit adventures to join your crew, equip it with advanced technologies that give it resilience to harsh elements and outfit it with utilities that will help you survive in the unforgiving desert.

“Though work on Earthlock 2 first started back in 2019, development didn’t go in the direction we wanted and we had to take a break to refresh our core vision,” explained Bendik Stang, Game Director & Co-founder of Snowcastle Games. “Having done that work behind the scenes and with re-started development moving fantastically, we’re delighted to re-present Earthlock 2 to the world with our new trailer and we’re very excited to share details about Desert Ships and our dynamic biomes with our wonderful community who has been patiently waiting for information about the next entry in the Earthlock series!”

Where Biomes Appear, Life Begins!

Earthlock 2 is set in a vast and sprawling arid region called The Desert of Kor. If you played Earthlock, you noticed that the environment is quite friendly. That’s not the case in Earthlock 2: The heat of the sun makes life almost impossible here, so why would anyone want to go there?

Rumors of wealth and unimaginable riches have started to flow, as people speak of forests springing up in an instant, mysterious vaults of treasure, and ancient relics with limitless power. These promises and the fame that they bring, drive people to The Desert of Kor. All are in search of greatness, but will they find what their dreams are made of or will they be claimed by the sands?

Lush Biomes full of life and danger spring into existence in the middle of the ocean of sand. What causes this? That’s one of the main mysteries to solve through the gameplay. These vibrant ecosystems within the sandy expanse are not just picturesque landscapes, but living entities with secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Your travels will take you on expeditions, navigating the harsh desert to our lush Biomes. Plant, nurture, but remember: Control isn't absolute. The world thrives independently, with others hunting for resources or disrupting the ecosystem. It's a delicate balancing act and you’ll have to discover how to properly tend to each Biome.

And what makes each biome unique and valuable? Well, every biome is different! That means you will encounter different Fruits, critters, and other life forms and together they make up that biome's distinct dynamics.

Each Biome has distinct Levels and Biodiversity Requirements, allowing them to transform into more vibrant or dangerous versions. However, beware – If you get too greedy and take too much from the biome, you might end up killing it. So take good care of your Biome!

“What can I do with those resources?”, you may ask us. As you return from your expedition to the Outposts, they will happily buy and request new resources from Biomes for your next expedition.

The Biomes provide the backdrop for an epic adventure where every step you take and every resource you harvest shapes the desert's destiny and, in turn, your own. As you embark on your Expedition, the desert won't initially be adorned with these Biomes though. A formidable challenge awaits. Shape the desert's destiny and your own!

Desert Ship

We already showed you the Biomes, one of the core features of Earthlock 2. And what better way to start this year than to also show you the game’s key mode of transportation and the heart of your journey? Hop on this first look at the caravans, and enjoy the ride.

The Caravan is your mobile sanctuary.

Earthlock 2 is set in a region called The Desert of Kor. Your Caravan is more than just a means of travel: It's a lifeline, a refuge, and a testament to your resourcefulness.

As you traverse the vast desert, your Caravan isn't merely a static entity, but a customizable and upgradable hub. Tailor it to suit your needs and play style, enhancing not only its appearance but also its capabilities.

Equip your Caravan with advanced technologies, reinforce its structure for resilience against harsh elements, and outfit it with essential utilities for survival in the unforgiving desert.

As you progress through the game, the Caravan becomes a reflection of your journey, showcasing the challenges you've overcome and the triumphs you've achieved. Whether you're a lone wanderer or leading a convoy of fellow adventurers, your Caravan is the heart of your journey in Earthlock 2.

Earthlock 2 is in development for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC (Steam).