Hawthorn is still in development with no announced release date. Pages state which build they describe · Fact base last reviewed September 13, 2026.
Database
Three playable species are confirmed. One has a published mechanical advantage. This page keeps that distinction clear instead of inventing perks to fill a table.
Last reviewed September 13, 2026
Short answer
What species can you play in Hawthorn?
Mouse, Owl and Otter — confirmed in the official Kickstarter FAQ.
The only confirmed mechanical difference is flight for the Owl. The studio reworked Owl flight in the Winter 2025/2026 build — better control over direction and elevation, plus diving and jumping from the ground — and then shipped a new flight system in Summer 2026.
| Species | Confirmed | Movement | Customisation | Confirmed perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Yes — named in the official Kickstarter FAQ | Ground | Dedicated fur pattern and colour system (Summer 2026) | Not published |
| Owl | Yes — named in the official Kickstarter FAQ | Flight — diving, jumping, direction and elevation control | Not detailed publicly | Flight is the only confirmed species ability |
| Otter | Yes — named in the official Kickstarter FAQ | Ground | Not detailed publicly | Not published |
“Not published” means NEARstudios has not stated it. It does not mean the difference does not exist — only that we will not assert it.
One of the three confirmed playable species. The Summer 2026 build added a dedicated fur pattern and colour system for Mouse characters.
Open questions
A confirmed playable species with the only confirmed movement advantage in the game: flight. Owl flight was reworked in the Winter 2025/2026 build and a new flight system shipped in Summer 2026.
Open questions
One of the three confirmed playable species. No species-specific mechanics have been published yet.
Open questions
Flight is the single confirmed species ability in the game, and the studio has worked on it twice in a year — which tells you it matters to them. The Winter 2025/2026 update described it as “much improved with more realistic bird motion, better ability to control direction and elevation, and the ability to dive and jump while on the ground”, and the Summer 2026 update then shipped a new flight system.
Practically, flight changes three things: