Eter Games' Matinta is a magical adventure starring Gracie, a dog determined to heal the cursed and desolate land to its former beauty. Inspired by the flora, fauna, and mythology of Eter Games' native Brazil, Matinta, presented at Gamescom LATAM, brings this rich world to life as Gracie gradually restores the color to each affected biome. The game's inspirations include many real-life biomes of Brazil as well as the animals that inhabit them and several mythological figures, including the titular Matinta, a knowledgeable and wise protector who takes the form of a bird.

Matinta Players Will Experience Several Brazil-Inspired Biomes

As players travel through the many different worlds of Matinta alongside canine protagonist Gracie, they will need to solve puzzles in order to restore color to each area. Each biome takes inspiration from a real-world location in Brazil. These include:

  • Pampas - The Pampas Plain is a massive area of low grassland that covers the southern part of Brazil and much of Argentina. Due to farming and ranching, many animals native to the Pampas have lost their habitat in recent years.
  • Mata Atlantica - A tropical rainforest that spans Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, the Mata Atlantica has undergone extensive deforestation that threatens many of the animal species living there. Within the Mata Atlantica are several distinct biomes, including broadleaf forest, savanna, shrublands, and grasslands.
  • Pantanal - The Pantanal is a large area of wetland and flooded grassland located within the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. It is home to over 2000 different types of plants, including many species of aquatic plant, as well as anteaters, caimans, marsh deer, herons, egrets, and more.
  • Cerrado - This tropical savanna is found in central Brazil and includes the Brazilian Highlands. It is home to 150 species of amphibians, nearly 200 species of mammal, and 800 species of bird, including eagles, macaws, toucans, and ibis.
  • Amazon - The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest, and covers much of northern Brazil. It is home to several million species of animals, birds, fish, and insects, including piranhas living in the Amazon River, jaguars, poison dart frogs, and the rare pink river dolphin.

Each of these biomes begins in a monochrome state, fully devoid of color. Guided by Matinta, Gracie must complete a series of tasks and puzzles to be able to use their healing power and restore color and life to the biome. The gameplay of Matinta draws inspiration from other animal-focused titles such as Stray, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Spirit of the North, and more.

The Game's Story Draws From Brazilian Mythology and Folklore

While the game's biomes are inspired by real locations, its characters and story instead draw from the mythological. Each biome is home to mythical guardians - legendary beasts inspired by Brazilian folklore that Gracie must use their powers to heal. There are also collectible artifacts that players can discover throughout their journey that allow them to learn more about the lore of Matinta, the powers of the mythical guardians, and how the world came to be in its current color-drained state.

Foremost among the mythology-inspired figures appearing in the game is the titular Matinta, who serves as Gracie's guardian throughout the journey. The name Matinta comes from Matinta-Perera, a witch who was able to take the form of a bird. The mythological Matinta is typically a tricky and antagonistic figure, making horrible noises outside of peoples' houses and forcing them to give her food, tobacco, or other luxuries in exchange for peace and quiet. Matinta takes a more benevolent interpretation of the character, making her a wise creature who aids Gracie, but still possesses great power and the ability to shapeshift into a bird as the pair travel together.