I didn’t expect to have a magical broomstick feel so natural in a game until I tried an early version of Crescent County. Picture this: you’re sweeping in wide loops over the softly waving grass of the Isle of Morah, eyeing the perfect little hill to launch from, and finding shortcuts lined with flowers through this enchanting open world. It might sound like a surreal concept, but as soon as the leyline-powered boost sends a shiver through my controller, it just clicks.
Electric Saint, a two-person team comprising Anna Hollinrake of Fall Guys fame and Pavle Mihajlović known for Erica, has ventured into exciting territory with Crescent County. This debut game blends open-world exploration, dating, gig economy delivery challenges, racing, and life simulation, all intricately tied to the motorbroom experience. It’s a bold mix, but surprisingly, it had a simpler beginning.
Anna Hollinrake has been creating “witch-tech” art for years, charming audiences with her vibrant, whimsical worlds. Stepping away from AAA game development, she partnered with Mihajlović to bring this vision to life, focusing on a world that seemed destined for creation from the start.
“The number one piece of feedback I get at conventions or when I post my art online is people telling me they wish they could live in these paintings,” Hollinrake explains. “I’ve worked across the entire art pipeline in games, but my forte is embedding rich worldbuilding into my art, from concepts to full 3D environments. I want to offer people the chance to step into a detailed, painterly world that’s both joyous and a touch melancholic, a place that feels like home.”
Crescent County isn’t a mishmash of game mechanics. Every element feels meticulously chosen to suit the game’s thematic core. As Lu, the protagonist, your journey begins on the island as a racer, evolving into the local delivery courier. This role paves the way to meeting and perhaps romancing different characters, decorating your apartment, and upgrading your motorbroom, which in this world, is so much more than a mode of transport—it’s a lifestyle.
“Motorbroom racing is a niche sport, a passion of the coolest folks you know,” Hollinrake shares. “Inspired by roller derby and the roller skating community—I’m an avid skater myself—we aimed to capture that DIY spirit within the motorbroom culture.” Mihajlović adds, “It’s more about playful challenges between friends than formal races. If you win, you might learn island secrets or score a rare broom part, or you could simply hang out with a racer you fancy.”
In Crescent County, every activity is interconnected, creating a life for Lu. A race might lead to romance, a delivery could earn you new décor, and even home-building impacts the larger game. “We’re keen on making house decoration narratively significant, not just aesthetic,” Hollinrake says. “You can gather furniture through jobs, much like scouring online marketplaces. Having the right furniture changes not just your space, but your social interactions.”
This creates a rewarding cycle—a genuine world-building experience rather than a sandbox. Days and nights advance based on your actions (deliveries by day, races by night), encouraging interesting choices over efficient ones.
“Every day brings new chances to earn money, jazz up your flat, and uncover island drama,” Mihajlović notes. “You decide who to help—whether it’s for gossip, upgrades, or even securing a quirky couch for a favor. You might take your new furniture home and host a cozy night in with friends, only to realize you don’t have a TV!”
The magic remains in the broom’s feel and the alluring Isle of Morah. Thanks to Hollinrake’s art, the world is compelling—its strange silhouettes tease the horizon, and the fun of exploration often outweighed the demands of the job. Ultimately, the focus is crafting a broom that is distinctly yours.
“Customization lets you design a broom that both looks great and suits your style,” adds Mihajlović. “Different setups allow unique paths across the island, and Sigil Stickers introduce abilities like a sideways phase shift to nudge rivals, or a handy rewind to undo a misstep.”
Mixing mechanical and narrative benefits is not only captivating but rare. Self-publishing with ID@Xbox has enabled this unique vision: “We’ve always admired ID@Xbox and the pioneering console indie movement they fostered,” Mihajlović says. “It’s surreal to be part of a program that inspired us to enter the industry.”
Being a two-person operation, they’re taking the time needed to reach full release. But from the version I played, it’s clear Electric Saint is onto something wild and wonderful. Crescent County might be an unorthodox ride, but it’s already hitting the right notes.
Crescent County is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and you can wishlist it now.
