《海珂：北境極光》（HYKE: Northern Light(s)）是充滿奇幻氛圍的全新2D俯視角動作RPG，由Akatsuki Games與Aniplex聯手企劃發行，開發工作則交由Blast Edge Games負責。遊在2025年9月19日正式推出，並登陸Steam、Nintendo Switch 與 PlayStation 5平台。官方更在「INDIE Live Expo」中公開全新宣傳 PV，並同步開啟四格漫畫《はいのらっ！》的連載，作為延伸世界觀的內容。

故事背景發生在人類與魔女爆發戰爭後的荒廢世界。主角是白髮少女海珂（ハイク），她的母親是一位毀滅世界的魔女。為了追尋母親的過往與真相，海珂踏上環遊世界的旅程，並來到一片被稱為「禁區」的無人之境。這裡由神秘而強大的魔女「隕星巫使（メテオス）」守護，海珂與她們的相遇，將徹底改變她的命運與旅途的方向。遊戲劇情兼具宿命感與冒險色彩，強調少女獨自背負的旅程，以及與魔女之間的糾葛與羈絆。

在操作與玩法上，以細膩的2D像素風格呈現，結合冒險與生存要素。將操控海珂以及最多七名可操作的角色，每位角色都有獨特的戰鬥方式與動作體驗，玩家需要靈活切換與運用，來應對不同的敵人與關卡挑戰。戰鬥之外，露營系統是一大特色。在旅途中的營地升起營火，聆聽音樂療癒心靈，或自由擺設喜愛的露營裝備，打造專屬的休憩空間。同時，營地中的料理系統能讓玩家製作食物，為接下來的戰鬥提供增益效果，這讓冒險與休憩之間產生鮮明的對比與節奏感。

市場反應方面，自公布以來便受到獨立遊戲愛好者與JRPG玩家高度關注。其融合魔女題材、露營休閒與冒險戰鬥的獨特設定，被認為是對傳統動作RPG的新鮮突破。2D像素美術風格在現代遊戲市場中依然保有強大吸引力，特別是遊戲的畫面既可愛又細緻，展現出濃厚的懷舊感與現代感的結合。此外，角色設計上的「可愛又帥氣」風格，特別吸引喜愛日系作品的玩家群體。

總體而言，不僅是單純的動作RPG，更是帶有哲理與宿命感的旅程。隨著海珂走過廢墟、禁區與篝火旁，體驗戰鬥與休憩交織的節奏，並見證她在魔女與人類世界的矛盾中，如何尋找屬於自己的答案。這樣的設定不僅讓遊戲充滿探索樂趣，也為角色與劇情注入情感深度。

HYKE: Northern Light(s) is a fresh and captivating 2D top-down action RPG jointly developed by Akatsuki Games and Blast Edge Games, with Aniplex serving as co-publisher. The game officially launched on September 19, 2025, across Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. Ahead of the release, a new promotional PV was showcased at the “INDIE Live Expo,” alongside the debut of a four-panel webcomic titled はいのらっ！, expanding the game’s narrative universe and giving fans additional story content.

The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war between humans and witches. The protagonist, a white-haired girl named Hyke, sets out on a journey to trace the steps of her mother, a witch responsible for widespread destruction. Her adventure leads her into the “Forbidden Zones,” desolate and uncharted lands guarded by powerful witches known as the Meteor Sorceresses (メテオス). Encounters with these guardians set in motion the twists of Hyke’s fate, blending themes of destiny, self-discovery, and magical intrigue. The narrative emphasizes both the burdens of the protagonist’s mission and the complex relationships between humans and witches in this devastated world.

Gameplay combines exploration, combat, and survival mechanics within beautifully detailed 2D pixel-art environments. Players can control Hyke and up to seven additional characters, each with unique combat styles and movement mechanics, requiring strategic switching and adaptation to different enemies and level designs. Beyond combat, the game features a robust camping system: players can rest at campsites, light campfires, decorate their surroundings with chosen equipment, and listen to music to recover both strategy and morale. The cooking system within these campsites provides buffs for the upcoming stages, creating a meaningful interplay between adventure and downtime that enhances pacing and immersion.

From a market perspective, HYKE: Northern Light(s) has attracted significant attention among indie RPG fans and JRPG enthusiasts. Its unique combination of witches, camping mechanics, and open-world exploration offers a fresh spin on traditional action RPG conventions. The vibrant 2D pixel art strikes a balance between nostalgic charm and modern visual appeal, while the character designs, described as both cute and stylish, resonate strongly with fans of Japanese-inspired games.

Overall, HYKE: Northern Light(s) is more than a standard action RPG—it is an emotionally rich journey. Players follow Hyke across ruined landscapes, forbidden zones, and tranquil campfires, experiencing the rhythm of combat, exploration, and rest. The game’s narrative and environmental storytelling immerse players in Hyke’s world, highlighting her personal growth amidst the tensions between human and witch societies. The combination of strategic gameplay, visual appeal, and story depth positions the game as a standout title in the indie RPG market.