When I first got my hands on an early version of Crescent County, I honestly didn’t know how a game could make a motorized, magical broomstick feel just right. But soon enough, I found myself expertly gliding through the lush hills of the Isle of Morah, eyes peeled for the best spots to launch off and trailing flower-dotted paths to discover hidden shortcuts in this expansive world. Who would have thought a concept this outlandish could be executed so brilliantly? Yet, here I am, feeling the thrill as my controller buzzes to life with a leyline-powered boost and thinking, “Maybe this could work.”
Developed by Electric Saint, the brainchild of Anna Hollinrake from Fall Guys and Pavle Mihajlović known for Erica, Crescent County melds elements of open-world exploration, dating sims, delivery challenges, racing, and life simulation, all tied together by the exhilarating motorbroom experience. With such a blend of genres, you’d expect a chaotic mishmash, but surprisingly, it all started quite simply.
Hollinrake, who is known for her “witch-tech” art style, has been capturing imaginations for years with her vibrant and whimsical worlds. Leaving the conventional AAA gaming scene behind, she partnered with Mihajlović to transform her vision into an interactive reality, with a focused setting they were both passionate about bringing to life.
“When I showcase my art at conventions or share them online, the most common feedback is how people wish they could actually step into the worlds I paint,” she explains. “With a background in game art covering the entire pipeline, I specialize in embedding rich world-building details into my work to create immersive environments. My goal is to craft a welcoming, painterly universe that radiates joy but with a touch of melancholy – a place that immediately feels like home.”
This intention means Crescent County isn’t just a collage of mechanical ideas haphazardly combined; every decision is designed to enhance the overarching theme of the game. Even in its early stages, as players step into the shoes of Lu, the motorbroom becomes central to experiencing the world. From racing upon arrival to taking on delivery jobs, your broom isn’t merely transportation—it’s part of the island’s lifestyle.
“Motorbroom racing is a niche, underground sport, pursued by the coolest, and dare I say, the most rebellious sort,” Hollinrake reveals. “Drawing from my love for roller derby and skating communities, we wanted to infuse that DIY punk spirit into the motorbroom culture.”
Mihajlović adds, “The racing we’re aiming for is less about major sponsorships or audiences and more about friendly competition. It’s about who can climb a mountain first among friends, not about big prizes. Winning might reveal island secrets or a hint on where to find that rare broom part, but it could also be the perfect excuse to get closer to a racer you’ve taken a liking to.”
The interplay of activities affecting each other seems key to Crescent County’s charm. Life on the island for Lu is about connections – a race might spark romance, a delivery might fund new home furnishings, and even the selection of furniture contributes to the progression of the wider game world.
“We’re fascinated with evolving traditional cozy house decoration to actively push the storyline,” Hollinrake elaborates. “It’s like scouring Facebook Marketplace—helping out around the island not only earns you appreciation but might also net you a forgotten couch from someone’s shed. Having lived in shared accommodations during our twenties, we understand how every single piece can impact your social life or sense of belonging – from dinner tables for gatherings to having your new friends over for a night of chatter despite the questionable spaghetti.”
The gameplay loop promises to be rewarding, encouraging players to dive deeper into the game’s intricacies. As you navigate through your days, chasing both adventures and relaxation, what you choose to do rather than when you’re supposed to do it becomes the driving force.
“Every day offers myriad ways to earn money, make your apartment homey, and delve into island gossip,” Mihajlović explains. “You decide who you want to help, whether it’s for juicy tidbits, a cool broom tweak, or simply because someone’s offered their unsightly couch in exchange for rounding up sheep. Plan meticulously or embark with spontaneity—either way, you’ll enrich your personal journey by the day’s end, enhanced further by furnishing your space given the gathered oddities and tales shared among friends.”
Essentially, Crescent County’s potential comes from its richly interactive world rather than being mere parts of a sandbox. With days and nights governed by your actions, you are encouraged to pursue the interesting over the efficient.
Ultimately, the brooms need to feel spectacular and the Isle of Morah needs to captivate—both of which Crescent County achieves, thanks in part to Hollinrake’s exceptional artistic flair. This world is not just a game setting but a place of genuine intrigue, where exploration often trumps the intended tasks, bringing a personal touch to Lu’s journey as much, if not more so, than her duties.
“Customizing your broom is about more than aesthetics,” Mihajlović shares. “It’s about equipping yourself to traverse the island’s varied landscapes—whether zipping through open fields or skimming over vast canyons. Sigil Stickers lend brooms unique powers, like the ability to phase sideways and jostle competitors, or rewind time to perfect a missed corner.”
Electric Saint’s knack for weaving mechanics with narrative rewards feels refreshingly unique—a risky ambition that self-publishing through ID@Xbox makes possible without traditional constraints.
“We’re huge fans of ID@Xbox and its precursor Xbox Live Arcade,” Mihajlović enthuses. “It’s enabled countless games we cherish and sparked the indie wave that brought us into game development. Seeing indie projects thrive on consoles was inspiring in our youth, which makes being part of the program today genuinely exhilarating.”
While Crescent County is still a work in progress with no firm release date, the preview showcases the wild creativity and ambition driving Electric Saint. Much like its motorbrooms, Crescent County feels unfamiliar but innately compelling.
Get ready as Crescent County makes its way to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. The game is available to wishlist now!
