Before diving into the early build of Crescent County, the idea of riding a motorized magical broomstick in a game seemed eccentric at best. Yet, there I was, soaring over the undulating fields of the Isle of Morah, instinctively spotting the perfect knoll to leap from and tracing pathways through vibrant flowers leading to secret routes in this expansive world. It’s surprising how something so fantastical can feel so fitting, especially when your controller vibrates with the surge of a leyline-powered boost.
Crescent County marks the debut effort from Electric Saint, a small development team comprising Anna Hollinrake, known for her work on Fall Guys, and Pavle Mihajlović of Erica fame. This game is quite the eclectic mix—blending open-world exploration, dating elements, gig economy delivery tasks, racing, and life simulation, all anchored around an enchanting motorbroom experience. Given its multitude of features, one might assume it was pieced together from disparate ideas, but its conception was refreshingly simple.
Anna Hollinrake has spent years illustrating what she calls “witch-tech”—capturing hearts with her imaginative, colorful worlds. After leaving AAA game development, she reached out to Mihajlović to bring these scenes to life, focusing on a single world they’ve long wanted to bring into reality.
“The feedback I’m most used to getting, whether at art conventions or online, is people expressing a desire to live inside the worlds I paint,” Hollinrake explained. “As a game art generalist, I’ve touched every part of the art pipeline, specializing in crafting immersive environments from concept through full 3D. My aim is to let people step into a world that feels both joyous and wistful, a place that truly feels like home.”
This cohesive vision steered how Crescent County was developed, not as a mishmash of mechanics but as a unified theme. Even in the game’s early stages, this thematic unity was evident. You play as Lu, arriving at the island and participating in a race, eventually becoming the local delivery courier. Through this role, you meet various characters, pursue romances, furnish your apartment creatively, and upgrade your broom. In this world, motorbrooms are more than just a mode of transport—they’re a lifestyle.
“Motorbroom racing here is an underground pursuit, embraced by only the coolest crowd,” said Hollinrake, “It’s inspired by the roller derby and skating subcultures I’m part of, celebrating a rebel spirit.”
“The racing aspect is more about friendly competition than grand, sponsor-laden events,” added Mihajlović. “Win a race, and you’re likely to unravel more island secrets or catch a tip on where to score a specific broom part. Or, simply enjoy some down time with a racer you admire.”
In Crescent County, the intertwining of different activities becomes apparent. Your racing could spur a budding romance, while deliveries might provide a new dining table for entertaining friends—making even domestic tasks impactful within the game.
“We want to push house decoration beyond mere aesthetics to help progress the story,” shared Hollinrake. “Earn rewards from island residents—furniture they no longer need, for example—and see how each addition can transform your living space and social interactions. A new dinner table, for instance, can host gatherings that deepen friendships, even if the meal isn’t gourmet.”
This interconnection creates a rewarding feedback loop—the more you play, the more doors open. Crescent County thrives as a vibrant world rather than a simple sandbox, structuring gameplay around a day-night cycle that evolves based on your choices.
“Each day teems with opportunities for earning, sprucing up your place, or delving into island gossip,” Mihajlović noted. “Choose who to assist, depending on your goals—knowledge of a juicy secret, a desired broom upgrade, or simply owing a favor to a friend. You can opt for an efficient path or take a leisurely approach, allowing for spontaneous adventures.”
All of these systems would fall flat if not for the allure of the brooms themselves and the vibrant Isle of Morah. Hollinrake’s artistic influence makes this world irresistible, filled with curious silhouettes and enough intrigue to make exploring every bit as enthralling as completing tasks. Central to this experience is the personalization of your motorbroom.
“Broom customization is about creating a ride that reflects you, both in appearance and how you navigate the island,” Mihajlović explained. “From blitzing down straights to gliding over canyons, different setups unlock various paths and experiences. Sigil Stickers add unique abilities like a defensive shift to bump competitors or a rewind feature for a second chance at tricky maneuvers.”
Electric Saint’s approach melds mechanical and narrative layers in player benefits in a refreshing way. The studio’s independent status, bolstered by the ID@Xbox program, enabled this creative freedom.
“We’re immensely grateful to ID@Xbox, which has been instrumental for many great games we love,” Mihajlović said. “It embodies the indie spirit that initially drew us into game development.”
While Crescent County’s release is still some distance away, my early encounter with it promises a journey as audacious and charming as its motorbrooms. This game arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and is already available to be wishlisted.
