Under the Elm

Discover Your Grandmother's Legacy in Under the Elm

In Under the Elm, a charming PC game from Crooked Stone Studios, you step into the shoes of a descendant tasked with uncovering the remnants of your grandmother's life. A cabin in the woods awaits, filled with treasures like an old library, a cellar of secrets, and a garden filled with forgotten memories. Explore not only the physical space but also the emotional depth embedded in the world your grandmother once inhabited.

Forage for Real and Imaginary Mushrooms

The heart of Under the Elm lies in its immersive foraging system. Venture through eight distinct biomes, each brimming with seasonally-changing mushroom species. You’ll encounter 38 varieties, including familiar chanterelles and unique fungi that blend reality with fantasy. The challenge isn’t just in discovering these mushrooms but also in learning to identify them, using your Field Guide and guidance from locals. Each find builds a living document of your expertise and connection to the land.

Craft Tinctures with Grandma’s Recipes

As you gather mushrooms, transform them into potent tinctures using four distinct preparation techniques: cold infusion, alcohol distillation, fermentation, and hot water decoction. Master each method to unlock various properties of the mushrooms. The recipes you’ll uncover are steeped in your grandmother’s love and wisdom, passed down through marginal notes and shared stories. Restoring her concoctions doesn’t merely serve gameplay; it honors her memory and keeps her spirit alive.

Cultivate Relationships with the Villagers

Beyond the woods, Under the Elm invites you to connect with ten villagers, each bearing their own narratives and challenges. Whether it’s helping Aldric with his fields or seeking wisdom from Elara, your interactions deepen as you build relationships one heart at a time. Listen to their stories, address their needs, and you might just discover invaluable insights about your grandmother, fostering a rich tapestry of community and memory.

Unravel the Mysteries of the Wood Wide Web

In this world, the Wood Wide Web connects you to eight Mother Trees scattered throughout the forest. These ancient guardians harbor memories of your grandmother, waiting to reveal their stories. Offer them tributes, and they might grant you Golden Mushrooms, special collectibles that can lead to even greater discoveries. Each interaction with the trees is a step toward understanding the deeper bonds she forged with nature and the community.

Restore the Cabin and Uncover Hidden Stories

Restoration is a vital part of Under the Elm. Each space in the cabin—be it the hearth, greenhouse, or attic—holds tales of your grandmother’s past and potential new mechanics for gameplay. By revitalizing these areas, you unveil her life and the knowledge she left behind. This isn’t just about gameplay; it’s a heartfelt journey of connection, healing, and familiarity that evokes a sense of peace and purpose as you piece together your ancestral legacy.

A Gentle Journey Back Home

Ultimately, Under the Elm is about more than mere activities; it’s an invitation to slow down and appreciate the simplicity of life in the woods. It’s a homecoming that evokes nostalgia, where quiet moments resonate louder than chaos. Letters from villagers arrive like whispers from the past, linking you to your grandmother and inviting you into her world. Embrace the slower pace, cherish the relationships, and unlock the profound beauty of a life well-lived.