Independent studio One Way Eleven has revealed a new look at Hanno: A Magical Tale, an upcoming action-adventure inspired by the story of an Asian elephant sent from Portugal to the Pope in 1514. The game reimagines that history through a tale of friendship, magic, and the bond between a boy and an unusual elephant.
Players take on the role of Vimal, an orphan who discovers a wounded baby elephant named Hanno in the forest. After promising to protect him, Vimal discovers that Hanno’s magic grants him strength, but only while he carries the elephant. Together, they must explore a mysterious world, solve environmental puzzles, and fight a growing corruption threatening everything around them.
The adventure unfolds in Ashar, an original world featuring lush forests, ancient waterways, murals, and its own written language. Players will occasionally control Hanno directly, adding another perspective to their journey and reinforcing the relationship at the heart of the story.
Creative Director Pedro Campos explained that the team wanted to move away from the traditional idea of an animal companion existing solely to help the hero. Instead, Hanno’s magic makes him essential to Vimal’s survival, raising a central question: who is really protecting whom?
Hanno: A Magical Tale is in development for PC via Steam, with a release planned for 2027.