Factsheet
Developer:
Aoca Game Lab
Salvador — Bahia, Brazil
Release Date:
2027
Platforms:
PC / Mobile / Consoles
Languages:
English, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese
Regular Price:
TBA
Press / Business:
contact@aocagamelab.games
Social:
instagram.com/aocagamelab
twitter.com/aocagamelab
tiktok.com/@aocagamelab
bsky.app/aocagamelab
threads.com/@aocagamelab
youtube.com/@aocagamelab
facebook.com/aocagamelab
linkedin.com/company/aoca-game-lab
Releases:
ARIDA: Backland's Awakening
Address:
Alameda Salvador, 1057
Salvador Shopping Business Tower
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Description
Join Cícera on an emotional journey through a vibrant yet hostile world. Uncover the secrets of a promised land, solve quests, and master crafting to survive. In the 19th-century Brazilian backlands, your courage is the only weapon against the drought!
History
A single-player game blending elements of adventure, exploration, and survival. Gather resources, craft tools, and connect with the resilient inhabitants of the Brazilian backlands in this story-driven historical adventure!
Stepping into Cícera's shoes, you leave childhood memories behind to brave the vastness of a living, mystical, and dangerous backlands. Your mission is to follow the tracks of past travelers and find your way to the legendary settlement of Canudos.
Features
Explore to know
Explore the most arid regions to learn about the backlands and find the resources you need to stay on your feet. A full inventory is always your best friend!
Equipped for adventure
The challenges of the badlands demand the right gear. Use your machete and hoe for vital actions like finding water, gathering food, and clearing paths.
Recipes to Master
Living in the backlands requires its own kind of science. The fauna and flora are unique, so make sure to learn the crafting recipes available for the region's typical items.
Company on the Road
A solitary journey through the deep backlands can be highly dangerous. Who knows, you might just find someone (or something) to keep you company.
Interact to survive
Hunger and thirst can be cruel during times of drought. Interact with the locals and travelers of the backlands to unlock new stories and vital wisdom.
Prepared for the night
The cycle of day and night in the backlands brings greater needs for supplies and defense. When the sun goes down, new threats will emerge. And new guides, too!
Stories to learn
The backlands is a special place, filled with unique stories that could only happen here. Venture out to find lost objects and the journals of past travelers.
By the Numbers
Videos
GIFs
Free to use in articles, reviews, and social media.
Images
More images available on request — contact us.
Logo & Icon
Awards & Recognition
- 2026 — “Best Northeastern Brazilian Game” (49th Festival Guarnicê, Brazil)
- 2026 — “Best Game” and “Best Narrative” finalist (SBGames 2026, Brazil)
- 2026 — Presented at Palácio do Planalto during the regulation of Brazil's Legal Framework for Electronic Games (Palácio do Planalto, Brasília)
Stores
Games
- ARIDA: Backland's Awakening — PC / Console / Mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ÁRIDA 2: Rise of the Brave?
The sequel to ÁRIDA: Backland's Awakening. Cícera, now 13 years old, sets off alone through the 19th-century backlands toward the historic town of Canudos. A single-player adventure with exploration, crafting, and a narrative grounded in real historical events.
What genre is it and how does gameplay work?
A single-player game blending adventure, exploration, and survival. Gather resources, craft tools, interact with travelers and locals along the route to Canudos, and discover touching stories throughout the northeastern Brazilian backlands.
Why is Canudos historically significant?
Canudos was a community of resistance in Bahia's backlands, destroyed by the Brazilian Republic in 1897 — a chapter deliberately erased from official Brazilian history. ÁRIDA 2 restores those voices through Cícera's journey.
What are the milestones of ÁRIDA 2 so far?
In 2026, ÁRIDA 2: Rise of the Brave won Best Northeastern Game at the 49th Festival Guarnicê de Cinema and was a finalist for Best Game and Best Narrative at SBGames. The game was presented at gamescom in Germany at the Embratur booth, at gamescom latam (2025 and 2026), at Tokyo Game Show, at Brasil Game Show, and at Retrocon. In October, it was presented at Palácio do Planalto during the ceremony regulating Brazil's Legal Framework for Electronic Games (Marco Legal dos Jogos Eletrônicos), where President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja played a demo version. Trailers were published by IGN across its editions in the US, France, India, and Africa.
What were the references behind ÁRIDA 2?
The gameplay references for ÁRIDA 2 are games that share values of cultural representation, exploration, and narrative: The Legend of Khiimori (cultural authenticity and open world), Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (nature exploration and accessibility), Sky: Children of the Light (emotional journey and visual beauty), Caravan SandWitch (narrative focus and diverse protagonist), and Tchia (authentic cultural representation and open world). For narrative, the influences remain Vidas Secas (Graciliano Ramos) and Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol (Glauber Rocha), deepened by the historical context of the 1897 War of Canudos.
What engine was used to develop ÁRIDA 2?
ÁRIDA 2 was developed in Unity — the same choice as the first game. Continuity with Unity allowed the team to leverage the full codebase and assets from ÁRIDA 1, accelerating sequel development. The large indie developer community, cross-platform optimization tools, and native support for localization and accessibility remain decisive factors for a small independent studio.
What platforms will it be available on?
PC (Steam and Nuuvem) at launch, with more platforms coming soon. Add it to your Steam wishlist to be the first to know the official release date.
How is ÁRIDA 2 different from ÁRIDA 1?
ÁRIDA 2 is a step up in scale: new biomes, more characters to meet along the way, a migratory journey as the narrative spine, and an expanded visual production. It also brings new mechanics, such as a day and night cycle, and a companion: Titela, a little goat who helps Cícera gather resources, carries items for her, and becomes her friend on the journey. Along the way, Cícera also meets a new acquaintance, Carcará Canela. More recipes, more collectibles, more achievements, more challenges, and more stories. The same essence of the sertão — with more depth and more history.
Is ÁRIDA 2 part of a series?
Yes. ÁRIDA 2: Rise of the Brave is the second part of a planned trilogy by Aoca Game Lab. The first game, ÁRIDA: Backland’s Awakening, launched in 2019 with over 15 international awards and a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. The third and final part will close Cícera’s journey — from the arid backlands to the heart of Canudos’ resistance.
Contact
Filipe Pereira
CEO · Lead Game Designer & Producer
filipe@aocagamelab.games
Victor Cardozo
COO · Art Director & Marketing Lead
victor@aocagamelab.games
General contact
contact@aocagamelab.games
Social & Links
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Studio site
aocagamelab.games