It’s been a while since developer Hand Circus hit our radar, much to our disappointment. The studio made quite an impact with its platformer puzzler series Rolando, two titles considered must-owns when released in 2008 and 2009 respectively, and still holding up by modern standards with its multi-touch, tilt heavy gameplay. Thankfully, the wait appears to have been worth it, as the studio has just announced the ambitious Seabeard.

On the surface, Seabeard feels like the beautiful, charmed offspring of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Animal Crossing. The game presents a massive world filled with dozens of islands. You’re free to sail the seas, exploring for fun things to do (finding shipwrecks, feeding whales), meeting a host of quest giving characters in villages, towns and tribes about the world, and setting up the best possible trade routes to make the most of your discoveries.

As well as exploration, you are tasked with building up a rundown port to its once legendary status and engaging with city-management tasks like fishing, farming and keeping up relationships with citizens. When off on a quest, however, you’ll find epic dungeons to explore as you hunt down goodies.

It all sounds pretty awesome to be honest, and the below trailer reveals that the studio hasn’t been twiddling its thumbs over the last few years while basking in Rolando’s glow. The game is due to set sail “soon,” which in App Store talk could mean just a few weeks.

While you wait, we highly recommend getting your touchscreen Zelda fantasies on with Oceanhorn and/or Ittle Dew. Then there is Rolando and Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchard to acquaint yourself with, too.

You also might like are our article, 12 Nintendo-Like Games on iOS.

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