In 1514, an elephant crossed the world as a gift for a pope. History remembers him as a present. A small Portuguese studio wants to tell his story instead.
Portuguese indie developer One Way Eleven shared new details on October 16 about its debut game, Hanno: A Magical Tale, a warm, emotional action adventure about the bond between a boy and an elephant.
Hanno: A Magical Tale follows Vimal, an orphan boy who finds an injured baby elephant named Hanno in the forest, and the deep bond that grows between them until they become family.
The developer says it will combine a strong narrative with action-adventure gameplay for a distinctive experience. The game is coming to PC via Steam and is targeting a 2027 release.
An Orphan and a Baby Elephant, Each the Other’s Strength
Players take on the role of Vimal, an orphan from a small village, who meets the injured young Hanno in the forest. Vimal promises to look after him, not yet realizing that being with Hanno gives him great power. His magic only works while he is holding Hanno.
Together, the two explore, solve puzzles, and fight as they face a mysterious threat corrupting the world. The developer describes their relationship as “a story where it’s not clear who is protecting whom,” signaling a bond deeper than that of a simple companion.
At certain points in the journey, the two are separated and go their own ways, and in those sections players control Hanno directly.
Moments of separation and reunion drive home how much the two mean to each other. As for Hanno’s ultimate fate, the developers are keeping quiet, leaving players to discover the full shape of the relationship for themselves.
Inspired by the Elephant Sent to the Pope
Hanno: A Magical Tale begins with a real Asian elephant sent from Portugal to the pope in 1514. The historical Hanno was a gift from King Manuel I of Portugal to Pope Leo X. The developers say they reimagined the journey of an animal recorded in history only as a gift through the lens of fantasy, to tell the story from the elephant’s own perspective.
The game is set in Ashar, an original fantasy world with its own writing system. Dense forests, ancient waterways, and murals appear throughout, and the world’s history unfolds through traces discovered along the way. In a world where warmth and danger coexist, Vimal and Hanno set out as each other’s strength.
Creative director Pedro Campos explained how the project began: “The starting point was a historical concern: the way animals have been consumed as means of transport, spectacles, and gifts.”
He added: “Hanno isn’t just a mount for the protagonist to ride. He’s an independent companion with his own magic and his own role.” Through two characters who make up for what the other lacks, the developers aim to pose a fundamental question: who is protecting whom?
A Portuguese Debut Already Turning Heads
One Way Eleven, a small Portuguese studio, has been developing Hanno: A Magical Tale since 2023 as its debut title, and the project is building momentum.
Already selected for a GDC pitch in 2024, the game took second place at the 2026 GameStar FYNG Indie Awards and was an official selection for Gamescom’s Indie Arena Booth, establishing it as an emerging global prospect.
Who This Is For
Strong fit for: fans of companion-driven adventures such as ICO, The Last Guardian, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons; players who love emotional stories about animals; anyone interested in games inspired by real history; players who enjoy a mix of exploration, puzzles, and combat.
Cautious fit for: players who need language details, which haven’t been announced.
Less ideal for: those seeking fast-paced, combat-heavy action; the bond and the story are the core.
What to Watch For
The central design question is how well the “magic only while holding Hanno” mechanic and the playable-Hanno sections turn the relationship into gameplay. The developers’ silence on Hanno’s fate, alongside the real historical Hanno’s short life, adds an emotional undercurrent players will be watching closely as more is revealed ahead of 2027.
The Takeaway
Hanno: A Magical Tale takes a footnote of Renaissance history, an elephant sent across the world as a diplomatic gift, and gives him back his own story. By tying a boy’s magic to the act of holding his elephant, and letting players step into Hanno’s role when the two are apart, One Way Eleven is building a game in which protector and protected are never quite clear. With GDC, GameStar, and Gamescom recognition already behind it, this Portuguese debut is one to watch for 2027.
Coming to PC (Steam) in 2027. Wishlist now.
Information regarding ‘Hanno: A Magical Tale’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | One Way Eleven (Portugal) |
| Genre | Story-driven action adventure |
| platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | Scheduled for 2027 |
| price | Undetermined (unconfirmed) |
| Supported languages | Unconfirmed |
| Key Experience | GameStar FYNG Indie Awards 2026 2nd Place Officially Selected for Gamescom Indie Arena Booth 2026 Selected for GDC Pitch 2024 |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
