Coven of the Chicken Foot: From Miyazaki to The Last Guardian, Bruce Straley's New Game (The Last of Us, Uncharted)

Coven of the Chicken Foot: Bruce Straley's Enchanting Adventure with Gertie and Folklore Influences

Last night at The Game Awards 2025 in Los Angeles, Geoff Keighley teased the debut game from Wildflower Interactive, Coven of the Chicken Foot—which literally translates to The Clan of the Chicken Foot. This project marks a departure for Bruce Straley, the former Naughty Dog director known for his work on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, who previously worked as an artist for the Gex series at Crystal Dynamics and who left Naughty Dog in 2017 to found his own studio in 2021. The companion system from his work at Naughty Dog carries over to the new game. The developers describe Coven of the Chicken Foot as a heartfelt, stylish single-player adventure with puzzle-platforming elements, set in a classic fantasy world. Wildflower Interactive also released a video teaser showcasing the game's hand-painted art style. Players will assume the role of Gertie, a kindly old witch who decides to prove herself to her clan. The game distinguishes itself visually with Gertie’s chicken legs instead of feet, a unique design choice that gives the game a strong, folklore-inspired identity reminiscent of Miyazaki’s Ponyo.

Enchanting Adventure: Straley's Gertie Tale - A Quiet Journey Through Lush Dungeons

Unlike the post-apocalyptic dramas and tense shootouts of Straley's previous AAA titles, Coven of the Chicken Foot offers a gentle adventure through lush dungeons, forests, and bogs free of major threats. Gertie is accompanied by an odd creature, and the game focuses on their non-verbal relationship. This creature interacts with the player in three stages: curiosity, playfulness, and finally, observation and learning, an approach that evokes games like ICO and The Last Guardian. Coven of the Chicken Foot is planned for PC via Steam, where it can be wishlisted, but no release date has been announced. Straley's new direction is a more modest, personal project, marking a significant shift from his blockbuster past.

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