Before diving into an early version of Crescent County, I couldn’t have imagined how a motorized, magical broomstick could feel so right. Yet, here I am, soaring gracefully over the Isle of Morah’s lush, swaying meadows, finding just the right spot to jump off, and instinctively following flower-laden paths that reveal hidden shortcuts in the world around me. It may sound whimsical, even improbable, but as my controller vibrates with the energy of a leyline boost, it all starts to make perfect sense.
Crescent County is the brainchild of Electric Saint, a two-person development team consisting of Anna Hollinrake, known for her work on Fall Guys, and Pavle Mihajlović, who contributed to Erica. This intriguing debut blends elements of open-world exploration, dating sims, gig economy-inspired delivery challenges, racing action, and life simulation—all centered around the motorbroom experience. Such ambition with numerous interconnected parts might lead one to believe it came about bit by bit, yet its beginnings are refreshingly straightforward.
Anna Hollinrake, a talented artist renowned for crafting vivid and mystical worlds she refers to as “witch-tech,” had been capturing imaginations through her art long before Crescent County was conceived. One day, she decided to leave her AAA gaming career behind and brought Pavle Mihajlović onboard to help turn her dream into digital reality. Together, they focused on creating a world based on Hollinrake’s fantastical visions.
“When I display my art at conventions or share it online, I often hear people wishing they could actually live inside these paintings,” Hollinrake explains. “My passion in game art lies in weaving immersive worldbuilding into all my projects, whether through concepts or fully realized 3D environments. I wanted to give players the chance to step into a beautifully crafted, artful space that exudes both joy and subtle melancholy—a place that feels like home.”
Crescent County wasn’t pieced together with random game mechanics; every choice fits seamlessly into its thematic core. Even in the game’s early stages, this coherence is tangible. Playing as the protagonist, Lu, your motorbroom is your lifeline—it’s integral to your activities, from arriving on the island and racing to becoming the island’s go-to courier. This role encourages social interactions, such as forming friendships, maybe even romantic connections. You can furnish your apartment and upgrade your broom to explore faster and farther. Here, motorbrooms are more than just transportation; they’re a cultural symbol.
“Motorbroom racing is an underground sport, embodying the rebellious spirit of roller derby,” Hollinrake shares. “It draws heavily from the roller skating community, mimicking that punk, DIY ethos.”
“In racing, it’s more about playful friend challenges, like seeing who can reach the mountain top first, rather than competitive, sponsor-driven events,” adds Mihajlović. “Winning might reward you with island secrets or tips on obtaining rare broom parts, but you also have the choice to chill and bond with a racer who catches your interest.”
This interlinked approach—where every action impacts another—is core to Crescent County’s gameplay. Establishing life for Lu on the island means a race can blossom into a romantic storyline, a delivery job can yield new décor, and house customization can influence broader game elements.
“We’re experimenting with traditional cozy house decoration to push narrative elements rather than serving solely as aesthetic features,” Hollinrake explains. “Much like real life, where your first furniture in shared housing holds significance, each piece in our game makes a difference—talking over a dinner table with new friends, even if the meal is less than perfect, enhances relationships.”
This interactivity promises a rewarding experience—the more you play and invest time, the richer the world becomes. Crescent County is less a sandbox and more a vivid, breathing world. With a day-night cycle dictating actions based on your choices—whether delivering by day or racing by night—it encourages engaging with intriguing choices rather than opting for mere efficiency.
“Every day, players will find fresh opportunities to gain some cash, make their apartment more inviting, and learn about island happenings,” Mihajlović says. “Choose whom to help based on desired gossip, specific upgrades, or maybe because you’re promised a peculiar, slightly hideous couch if you round up your friend’s sheep. You can plan your day meticulously or enjoy a spontaneous ride and see where it takes you. Return home at day’s end with your quirky furniture and invite friends over, even if a TV is still on the wishlist.”
All of this would be pointless if not for the joys of riding the brooms, and the allure of the Isle of Morah. The seamless integration with Hollinrake’s artwork creates an engrossing world filled with unique sights and landmarks, turning mere exploration into an adventure. Last but not least, the customization of brooms lets players craft a unique identity both visually and functionally.
“Customizing your broom is about creating a ride that feels just right for you and unlocking new ways to traverse the island,” Mihajlović explains. “Whether zooming through straight paths, cross-country winds, or floating above canyons, different setups will cater to various playstyles. Adding Sigil Stickers introduces fun abilities, like a lateral phase shift to knock opponents off course or a rewind feature to retake that tricky corner.”
The way Electric Saint interweaves mechanical and narrative experiences is not just intriguing—it’s rare. This innovation might’ve encountered resistance at larger studios, making their partnership with ID@Xbox crucial:
“We adore the ID@Xbox program,” Mihajlović says. “It has been a cornerstone for many indie games we treasure and was instrumental in the indie wave that inspired us to join the gaming industry. Seeing indie games on a console for the first time was thrilling, and being part of that now is a dream come true.”
Although Crescent County is still a work in progress, and a release date is yet to be finalized, the early build I experienced reveals just how wonderfully ambitious Electric Saint’s vision is. Like its motorbrooms, Crescent County might be unconventional but is settling into perfection.
The game is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. You can already add Crescent County to your wishlist.
