New Indie Game Blends Cozy Exploration, Air Combat and Studio Ghibli-Inspired Storytelling
A new indie adventure game inspired by classic animated fantasy films is preparing to take players into the skies. Swedish publisher Three Friends and developer Bloom & Gloom unveiled Into the Wind during the PC Gaming Show on June 7, introducing a stylized flying adventure centered around exploration, deliveries and aerial travel across a fictional Adriatic island chain.
Currently in development for PC, the game does not yet have a release date, though players can already add it to their Steam wishlists ahead of an eventual Early Access launch.
Flying Motorcycle Gameplay Takes Center Stage
Set in the fictional islands of Santa Rosa, Into the Wind places players in the role of a young courier who inherits an uncle’s struggling delivery business after his mysterious disappearance.
The game’s standout feature is Ermes, a sentient motorcycle capable of both driving and flying. Players will use the vehicle to travel between islands, carry cargo, and navigate changing weather conditions while balancing fuel usage and package weight.
According to the developers, transportation mechanics are designed to feel grounded despite the fantasy setting. Cargo weight affects performance, rough landings can damage momentum, and weather patterns influence how players travel through the open world.
The gameplay structure appears aimed at fans of slower-paced exploration games that prioritize atmosphere and discovery over fast-action combat alone — a genre that has grown increasingly popular among U.S. players seeking more relaxed gaming experiences.
Adriatic-Inspired World Draws From Anime and European Coastal Culture
Studio Ghibli Influences Shape the Game’s Style
The developers openly cited the influence of Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, particularly the animated film Porco Rosso, which also features aviation themes set around the Adriatic Sea.
Players will explore colorful coastal villages, winding roads and floating skies inspired by Mediterranean landscapes. The setting combines European seaside architecture with fantasy-driven aerial adventure elements often associated with Japanese animation.
“Into the Wind is about the joy of the journey,” said Albert Säfström, co-founder and producer at Three Friends.
“There’s a wonderful, tactile satisfaction to just driving around on the bike, whether you’re on the ground or in the air. You get into this rhythm where you make a delivery, grab an upgrade, and then immediately head back out just to see how the new parts feel. It creates a deceptively addicting ‘one more delivery’ loop that makes it very hard to put the controller down.”
Deliveries, Exploration and Air Pirates Drive the Adventure
Open-World Gameplay Focuses on Freedom and Discovery
In addition to package deliveries, players will encounter air pirates, upgrade their vehicle, customize their homes and uncover the truth behind Umberto’s disappearance.
The game’s progression system revolves around completing increasingly difficult delivery jobs. Fragile packages require careful handling, while heavier cargo impacts the motorcycle’s climbing and flight performance.
Resources earned through deliveries can be used to improve Ermes, allowing players to travel farther and access more dangerous regions of the map.
Bloom & Gloom co-founder and game director Robin Hjelte said the project was inspired by a combination of anime, games and nostalgic summer imagery.
“Especially Porco Rosso struck me deeply, and I wanted to make a game about flying among freedom loving idiots in a romantic setting in the Adriatic sea,” Hjelte said.
“Into the Wind is our love letter to all that, and more that has been truly meaningful to us: anime, games, movies, summer evenings in the setting sun.”
Swedish Indie Teams Continue Expanding Global Influence
Both studios behind Into the Wind come from Sweden’s growing independent game development scene, which has produced internationally successful titles over the past decade.
Three Friends was founded by developers connected to hit games including Minecraft, Valheim and Deep Rock Galactic.
Meanwhile, members of Bloom & Gloom previously worked on the indie exploration title AER Memories of Old before forming the 10-person studio.
As interest in independent and stylized games continues growing in North America and Europe, Into the Wind appears positioned to attract players looking for a more personal and atmospheric alternative to larger blockbuster releases.
Looking Ahead
While a launch date has not been announced, Into the Wind has already generated attention for its combination of cozy exploration, aerial traversal and cinematic inspiration. With its Adriatic-inspired setting and flying motorcycle gameplay, the title aims to carve out a unique space within the expanding indie adventure genre.
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