We’re excited to share a closer look at Over the Hill, the next off-road adventure from Funselektor and Strelka Games, coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC (Windows) in 2026. Known for Art of Rally and Absolute Drift, Funselektor returns with a new experience that blends exploration, simulation, and the simple joy of driving classic off-road cars through the wilderness.
Where those past games captured the elegance of drifting and the thrill of rally racing, Over the Hill shifts gears entirely, inviting you to take things slow, take a breather, and discover the beauty just… Over the Hill.
A World Built for Exploration
Over the Hill is divided into different regions, each offering its own atmosphere, terrain, and challenges. One of the playable regions at release is Canada, which is separated into three distinct areas. These areas are designed to gradually build your skill and confidence as you learn the particulars of off-road driving and navigation.
The Valley (Working Title) – A Gentle Start
Your journey kicks off in a valley, a smoother and more guided environment perfect for easing into the game’s driving mechanics. Natural landmarks like flowing rivers, winding paths, and soft slopes will subtly lead you forward toward the lake and the boat that marks your transition into the next area.
Terrain here is forgiving, letting you get to know your vehicle without the pressure of harsh climbs.
The Wetlands (Working Title) – Discovery at Your Own Pace
From there, you’ll take the ferry into a new area, a more open and exploratory environment inspired by Canadian wetlands. Starting near the center of the map, you are encouraged to wander, discovering routes, landmarks, and hidden pockets of wilderness.
This area features some of the game’s most diverse challenges, from broad swamps and muddy bogs to tricky rock-crawling paths and even pockets of early snow at higher elevation levels. It’s a place where the landscape becomes a playground for experimentation, inviting you to improvise and find your own way forward.
The Mountains (Working Title) – The Final Test
Your adventure culminates in a mountainous area: a rugged, high-altitude landscape defined by steep ascents and slippery, icy cliffs.
In this part of the game, you’re challenged to make your way to the peak, which looms over you from the moment your journey in this area begins. The mountains require you to use everything you’ve learned, turning navigation into a rewarding puzzle while offering some of the most striking views in the game.
Across all three areas, you will encounter signature landmarks that tell subtle stories: fire-watch towers perched above forests, abandoned logging or mining equipment, cabins tucked between trees, and fishing shacks along frozen lakes.
A Wilderness with a Story to Tell
The world of Over the Hill draws inspiration from places like the Kootenay Mountains in British Columbia. These regions blend rugged wilderness with remnants of human history, from hand-built cabins to forgotten sawmills and mining tunnels. Every structure you can find in the game ties into this theme.
Seasonality also plays a crucial role in the game’s atmosphere. Over the Hill is set in autumn, giving the world a golden, slightly nostalgic tone. The yellowing grass, larch and birch trees turning bright amber, and the soft warmth of late-season light all create a peaceful contrast to the harsher, snowy climbs awaiting you in the mountains.
Dynamic Weather and Real Terrain
The weather in Over the Hill is more than a mood; it actively shapes the journey. Dynamic weather and day-night cycles both influence visibility and driving conditions, creating moments of calm and beauty, but also moments of challenge and surprise.
With over ten terrain types inspired by real Canadian landscapes, every surface affects vehicle handling in a unique way. Rain reduces grip on most surfaces, while snow can both obscure the path ahead and change the feel of the ground beneath your tires. As snow accumulates, trails may become harder to follow, making navigation more demanding and more fun.
Adventure at Your Speed
While Over the Hill features challenges and moments of technical driving, its heart lies in the connection between you, your car, and the landscape. Whether you’re exploring alone or teaming up with friends in multiplayer, the game invites you to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and appreciate the journey for its own sake.
To give you control over the pace of your adventure, camping allows you to rest, recover, and even skip undesirable weather. Set up camp and wait out a storm before heading back onto the trails.
There’s no rush. No ticking clock. Just the open wilderness and the road (or lack of one) ahead.
over the hill
Funselektor
Discover portals to travel to new areas, and complete objectives to unlock new vehicles, upgrades, customizations, and cosmetics, with many combinations to try. Who knows, maybe you’ll find some hidden gems along the way.
Take a friend or go on a solo tour. Challenge yourself, collaborate with up to three friends, or just enjoy the sights – the world is your oyster.
After a long day of exploring, pull up to the merchant and give your vehicle a personal touch. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, some extra lights to cut through the dusk, or a roof rack for that trusty old kayak, there are plenty of ways to kit it out. Add a continental spare or a bull bar: whatever makes your journey smoother, and helps your crew spot you from across the valley.
Take on the elements with dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and realistic terrain deformation. Find solace in nature, even when you’re stuck in the mud.
The best stories never start at the end. With so much to explore and uncover, it’s all about the cruise. Complete all the objectives, unlock the many customizations and upgrades, and discover everything the wilderness has to offer. Just take your time and find peace in the minimalistic serenity.
Grab stills of your favourite landscapes with the built-in photo mode. We can’t wait to follow your journey. You never know what you may discover just over the hill.
The post Exploring the Wilderness of Over the Hill on Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.
