THE GAME
HINE is a multi-cultural, multilingual visual novel game; a lush fairytale drawing inspiration from Māori and Asian histories and art.
Born from a collaboration between two best friends - Ankita and Kahu - who just want to see more whimsical stories featuring characters and settings they can relate to.
Hine in Te Reo
Hine in English
Hine in Hindi
Currently featuring Te Reo, English and Hindi with a goal to translate into the 20 most spoken languages in Aotearoa.
Each language mode highlights Te Reo vocabulary - so you can learn Te Reo while playing in Hindi, Mandarin or any of the 20 languages!
Each language mode highlights Te Reo vocabulary - so you can learn Te Reo while playing in Hindi, Mandarin or any of the 20 languages!
STORY
Hine, the last of her healing clan, lives peacefully with her Pāpā on a quiet farm in The Valley of Rongo. She spends her days keeping the homestead running and brewing healing teas. One night, her Pāpā vanishes, leaving an ominous note telling her not to look for him.
But Hine is stubborn! She sets out to look for him with her trusted friend, Tūi, and soon discovers the river supplying fresh drinking water to The Valley has suddenly turned into undrinkable seawater
Along her travels, Hine meets Ravini, a sea trader and bard who has come to this land searching for the famous red Mountain cloth woven by the local monks. While playing a song to an old shrine, they unlock Hine's powers to see the spirit world.
Together, they must travel across The Valley - helping bickering potato farmers, dodging capitalist tile-makers, brewing tea with miners, and even running errands for spirits to progress in their adventure.
Their investigation leads the trio deep into the foothills of the mighty Maunga and eventually into the ancient Old Ngahere, where the lost god of Hine's clan resides.
Hine must unlock her true potential and enlist the help of her new friends to discover the source of the salty water, save the valley and find her missing Pāpā.
Speaking with the Taniwha and Nāga in English Mode
Speaking with the Taniwha and Nāga in Hindi Mode
Features
Brewing and Foraging system featuring local fauna like Kawakawa
Second Sight: Hine's special ability to see the spirit world, which allows her to traverse between worlds, solve puzzles, talk to spirits like Taniwha and Nāga and forage for unique ingredients.
The Mortal Realm - why are there rapids in the river?
The Spirit World - ah! The Taniwha and Nāga are arguing, causing the rapids!
Multiple Language Modes with a focus on teaching Te Reo across all languages.
PROGRESS
We have completed an initial Vertical Slice of the game and are looking for funding and studio to support further development.
We have completed an initial Vertical Slice of the game and are looking for funding and studio to support further development.
Follow us on Instagram for updates as we share our learnings on this adventure!
FUNDING
With the support of NZOA, we are now developing a vertical slice of HINE.
Thanks NZOA!
