Latest news with #Mandrake
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Mandrake – the rural life sim that lets you befriend a river and eavesdrop on the dead
With dulcet Welsh tones, an actor bearing an uncanny aural resemblance to Michael Sheen introduces players to the world of Mandrake. The village of Chandley is 'small' and 'complicated', he says warmly. 'Everyone's got their own story.' The action cuts between cosy, wooden cottages and a moss-covered forest filled with folkloric creatures. We see the protagonist, a horticulturist wizard 'steeped in the green and growing arts', returning home and tending to an abundance of vegetables. Some you'll find in your local supermarket; others are of a decidedly more magical variety. As a rural life simulation, Mandrake is odder and more beguiling than most. It possesses the same undeniable allure as classics such as Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, inviting players to slip into the seasonal flow of crop cultivation, countryside exploration and conversations with suspiciously cheerful townsfolk. But there's more going on here: lush, painterly visuals to start. And should you tire of tilling the soil, you might wander off the beaten path of this mythical, Brythonic-inspired land, perhaps eavesdropping on the dead or even befriending a river. Weirdness is to be expected in a new release from Failbetter, the boutique UK studio behind acclaimed titles Fallen London and Sunless Sea. Set in a shared fictional universe, that narrative RPG and moody survival experience, respectively, were masterclasses in evocative prose and captivating world-building. London became 'Fallen', submerged in a darkened underworld called the Neath, newly situated on the coast of a vast, black ocean – the so-called Unterzee. These games, horrifying and hilarious in nearly equal measure, were rooted in a deft sense of place. Mandrake foregrounds location in a friendlier, more accessible way. The beauty of the rural life sim, as game director Adam Myers sees it, is that 'you're able to zoom in on one community over time'. Across days, nights and seasons, the player bears witness to a changing place and its people. You go from a sense of total unfamiliarity, says Myers, to having developed a deep knowledge of the environment. But Mandrake aims to eschew the genre's grindier tendencies – cultivating acres of wheat and making multiple daily meals. 'It isn't optimal to grow your crops in large rectangular monocultures,' says Myers. 'And you're not doing the thing where you click 30 times and carry a banquet's worth of ratatouille around in your inventory at all times.' Gift-giving, the typical way players ingratiate themselves with their NPC neighbours in this genre, arrives with a wrinkle. Players cannot just hand out presents randomly ('That's a little awkward,' laughs Myers). Instead, they must declare why they are handing out their offerings. This forms the start of a relationship based on obligation. The aim is to not just replicate the pattern seen in other rural life sims, but 'complicate' it, both through thoughtful mechanics and an unusual set of influences. Myers talks enthusiastically of anthropology, British folklore and esoteric traditions such as Renaissance alchemy. The world is filled with quirky and mysterious lore: it is inhabited by 'quasi-monastic organisations' and despite the Welsh influences in the landscape, there is an eerie absence of sheep. The comforting rituals of the rural life sim seem to function as a Trojan horse for Failbetter's peculiar and offbeat tendencies. 'One of the error patterns we've fallen into in the past is going too weird, too fast, too soon,' admits Myers. 'We need to give players more stable ground to stand on so they can make sense of everything – put the pieces together to properly appreciate what's unusual and strange.' Ominous creatures undoubtedly lurk in these ancient woods; villagers are likely to conceal many portentous secrets. It's reasonable to assume that Myers's and his colleagues' taste for the macabre surfaces in some manner. But there's a crucial difference, a concession, perhaps, to maintaining what he hopes is a welcoming and 'emotionally gentle' tone: unlike some of Failbetter's other games, death doesn't lurk quite so close to your shoulder. Or as Myers puts it, 'you probably won't be able to get yourself eaten in this one'. Mandrake is in development for PC with console support planned. Release date is TBC
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Mandrake – the rural life sim that lets you befriend a river and eavesdrop on the dead
With dulcet Welsh tones, an actor bearing an uncanny aural resemblance to Michael Sheen introduces players to the world of Mandrake. The village of Chandley is 'small' and 'complicated', he says warmly. 'Everyone's got their own story.' The action cuts between cosy, wooden cottages and a moss-covered forest filled with folkloric creatures. We see the protagonist, a horticulturist wizard 'steeped in the green and growing arts', returning home and tending to an abundance of vegetables. Some you'll find in your local supermarket; others are of a decidedly more magical variety. As a rural life simulation, Mandrake is odder and more beguiling than most. It possesses the same undeniable allure as classics such as Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, inviting players to slip into the seasonal flow of crop cultivation, countryside exploration and conversations with suspiciously cheerful townsfolk. But there's more going on here: lush, painterly visuals to start. And should you tire of tilling the soil, you might wander off the beaten path of this mythical, Brythonic-inspired land, perhaps eavesdropping on the dead or even befriending a river. Weirdness is to be expected in a new release from Failbetter, the boutique UK studio behind acclaimed titles Fallen London and Sunless Sea. Set in a shared fictional universe, that narrative RPG and moody survival experience, respectively, were masterclasses in evocative prose and captivating world-building. London became 'Fallen', submerged in a darkened underworld called the Neath, newly situated on the coast of a vast, black ocean – the so-called Unterzee. These games, horrifying and hilarious in nearly equal measure, were rooted in a deft sense of place. Mandrake foregrounds location in a friendlier, more accessible way. The beauty of the rural life sim, as game director Adam Myers sees it, is that 'you're able to zoom in on one community over time'. Across days, nights and seasons, the player bears witness to a changing place and its people. You go from a sense of total unfamiliarity, says Myers, to having developed a deep knowledge of the environment. But Mandrake aims to eschew the genre's grindier tendencies – cultivating acres of wheat and making multiple daily meals. 'It isn't optimal to grow your crops in large rectangular monocultures,' says Myers. 'And you're not doing the thing where you click 30 times and carry a banquet's worth of ratatouille around in your inventory at all times.' Gift-giving, the typical way players ingratiate themselves with their NPC neighbours in this genre, arrives with a wrinkle. Players cannot just hand out presents randomly ('That's a little awkward,' laughs Myers). Instead, they must declare why they are handing out their offerings. This forms the start of a relationship based on obligation. The aim is to not just replicate the pattern seen in other rural life sims, but 'complicate' it, both through thoughtful mechanics and an unusual set of influences. Myers talks enthusiastically of anthropology, British folklore and esoteric traditions such as Renaissance alchemy. The world is filled with quirky and mysterious lore: it is inhabited by 'quasi-monastic organisations' and despite the Welsh influences in the landscape, there is an eerie absence of sheep. The comforting rituals of the rural life sim seem to function as a Trojan horse for Failbetter's peculiar and offbeat tendencies. 'One of the error patterns we've fallen into in the past is going too weird, too fast, too soon,' admits Myers. 'We need to give players more stable ground to stand on so they can make sense of everything – put the pieces together to properly appreciate what's unusual and strange.' Ominous creatures undoubtedly lurk in these ancient woods; villagers are likely to conceal many portentous secrets. It's reasonable to assume that Myers's and his colleagues' taste for the macabre surfaces in some manner. But there's a crucial difference, a concession, perhaps, to maintaining what he hopes is a welcoming and 'emotionally gentle' tone: unlike some of Failbetter's other games, death doesn't lurk quite so close to your shoulder. Or as Myers puts it, 'you probably won't be able to get yourself eaten in this one'. Mandrake is in development for PC with console support planned. Release date is TBC
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Red, White & BOOM! from the rooftops in Columbus: Here's where to go
If pushing and shoving your way into the crowds for this year's Red, White & BOOM! doesn't sound like your definition of a good time, there is another way. Rooftop bars and restaurants all across Columbus will have premiere views of the show, without all the people. Some are hosting specialized events and some are letting the fireworks speak for themselves. When the clock strikes 10 p.m. on July 3, there's no better place to watch the fireworks in the sky than among the clouds on a Columbus rooftop. Here are some options. Brass Eye, 77 Belle St., is a rooftop bar perched on the top of The Junto hotel. Its viewing party will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $115 and available at With a ticket, partygoers get a welcome drink and access to two hours of passed appetizers. If the party isn't enough, The Junto is offering a party and a room deal, where you can reserve the package at a reduced rate. Mandrake, 810 N. High St., is the rooftop bar at the Moxy Columbus Short North hotel. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests are invited to enjoy the view with cocktails and snacks. VIP tickets range from $125 to $2,500 and you can find them at BrewDog Franklinton, 463 W. Town St., has its own spin with Red, White & Brew. Tickets to the beer event are $76.54 and give guests rooftop access, three drink tokens, a cookout buffet and live music from 8 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the event's Facebook page. Goodale Station, 77 E. Nationwide Blvd., is offering drinks, food and air conditioning for its evening party, Red, White & ROOFTOP! For $125 a ticket, guests get a skyline view of the fireworks along with a live DJ and free valet services. You can get tickets at Lincoln Social Rooftop, on the ninth floor of 711 N. High St., offers sprawling views of the city. It will be open until 11 p.m., with drinks and food to order. You can make reservations at or try your hand at walking in. Stories on High, 404 N. High St., will be open until 11 p.m. for firework fans. With a wide range of signature cocktails and a 360-degree view of the city, it will offer a great vantage point to watch the show. Reservations are encouraged but not required and can be made at Budd Dairy Food Hall, 1086 N. Fourth St., has a rooftop that everyone in the family can enjoy. With 11 different food stalls, there is something for everyone. Reservations are not accepted for the rooftop beer garden, so get there early to beat the rush. Find more information at Reporter Sarah Sollinger can be reached at ssollinger@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 4th of July fireworks in Columbus: Where to watch Red, White & BOOM!
What's On
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
A magical Harry Potter exhibition is coming to Abu Dhabi
Harry Potter fans, a magical exhibition is landing in Abu Dhabi at Manarat Al Saadiyat this July. Harry Potter: The Exhibition will bring together a cool collection of authentic movie props and costumes worn by the actors, all for your viewing pleasure. You will also be able to see and explore recreations of iconic scenes and settings. This includes locations such as Great Hall gallery, Hagrid's cosy hut, the lush Herbology greenhouse, Hogwarts classrooms, and more. Want to learn how to pot a Mandrake? Or maybe just practice your spells or up your Quidditch skills? You can do it all here in the capital when the exhibition opens. And speaking of Quidditch, as you wander around the exhibition, seek out the golden snitch medallions that will customise your experience based on your wizarding profile. You will have a wristband that will collect points for your Hogswarts house as you complete tasks. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for nesting dragons, fantastic beasts, and hidden Boggarts. At the moment, tickets are not on sale, but you can sign up for the waitlist here. If you miss the sign-up date, the tickets go on sale to the public on June 24, 2025 at 12pm. The exhibition begins July 25. Find out more information here. Want more Harry Potter? If you're a Harry Potter fan in the UAE, you would have most likely heard the news of a Harry Potter theme park coming to Abu Dhabi back in 2022. It will be located in one of the world's largest indoor theme parks – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and will be the first Harry Potter theme park to ever open in the Middle East. No news on the magical destination has been announced since, but we are keeping our Harry Potter glasses on for any updates. However, if news from an owl is correct, it could be opening up sometime in 2026. We will just have to wait for the owl delivery to know for sure. You can read about what we know here. If you want more of the magical world, there's a Harry Potter Film Concert Series concert taking place on September 6 and 7, 2025, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. As the show suggests, the audience will be able to watch Harry Potter on the big screen, and it will be accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra performing live with the film being showcased on a 40-foot screen. All the different elements coming together means you will experience the magical world of Harry Potter all over again, but in a different light. Tickets are available on And speaking of magical openings Disney fans in the UAE have plenty to be excited about, as we are finally getting a Disneyland right here in the UAE. It will be located on the Yas Island waterfront, with the project being Disney's seventh entertainment destination in the world. Miral will be responsible for the development and construction of the project, while Disney will oversee the creative aspects and provide operational support. This will include design elements of the attraction to ensure it is in line with all things magical. You can read more about this upcoming attraction here. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Metro
27-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Urgent warning after two die in London taking 'blue pills'
A London council has issued an urgent warning after two people died taking blue pills this weekend. Ealing Council said two people in the Southall area took the unidentified pills together over the Bank Holiday, and sadly passed away. 'Please remember, there is no way of knowing what is in any pill or drug that is bought illegally, or how your body will react,' they said. 'If you, or anyone you are with, starts to feel unwell after taking any pill or drug, go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department or call 999. 'Always seek medical attention and do not try to sleep it off or drink lots of water.' It's the latest warning around dangerous drugs, after an earlier warning this year over fake MDMA making the rounds. Manchester Drug Analysis and Knowledge Exchange (Mandrake), a harm reduction group at Manchester Metropolitan University, said mysterious powder had led to fatalities. 'Multiple samples of beige powder, potentially mis-sold as MDMA, confirmed by Mandrake, to contain synthetic cathinone, 4F-α-PVP, in Manchester,' they said. ''Not much is known about this substance, but it has been implicated in fatalities. If unwell, seek medical attention.' Dubbed a 'designer drug', 4F-α-PVP is a type of synthetic created to chemically resemble the mind-altering properties of khat, a plant chewed for stimulant effects in parts of Africa. blue or pale lips or fingertips very light shallow breathing or no breathing loud raspy 'snoring' or gurgling If you fear for yourself or someone else, call 999 Although synthetic cathinones have been linked to some deaths, they mostly 'also mostly involved other psychoactive substances', according to the government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Usually, cathinone-related deaths are caused by overheating, high blood pressure and heart attacks. More Trending Research in Finland found most deaths were among men aged 25 to 44, who had a history of abusing multiple drugs. Around 29% of those deaths were blamed on the detected synthetic cathinones. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: British couple arrested in Spain after '33kg of cannabis found in suitcases' MORE: Man jailed for killing girl, 3, after taking '20 lines' of cocaine MORE: Europe's first airport Five Guys to open in UK's busiest travel hub
