The great hatch

4.7 / 5

39,039 plays

indie

Game Information

Developer: SZ Games

Rating:

4.7/5

Released: April 2024

Last Updated: June 2025

Technology: HTML5 (Unity WebGL)

Platform: Browser

Size: ~15 MB

Plays: 39,039

Mobile Support: No

About The great hatch

Embark on a riveting, free online adventure in The Great Hatch, the indie darling that’s sending waves through the browser gaming scene. In this quirky and captivating game, you command a mischievous horde of goblins with one objective: to unravel the secrets of a colossal, enigmatic egg at the heart of a sprawling, beautifully rendered battlefield. Every move, every strategy, and every daring raid brings you closer to discovering what’s hidden inside.

The Great Hatch stands out with its charming hand-crafted pixel art, brimming with character and vibrant animations. Each goblin in your ranks brings personality to your crusade, shuffling, scurrying, and shouting as you marshal your forces toward the egg. The game's atmospheric soundtrack and whimsical effects immerse players in a world both mysterious and mischievous—where every crack in the shell hints at something epic.

Gameplay blends real-time strategy with addictive indie flair. You’ll plot out your goblins’ formations, carefully maneuvering around hazards and surprises as you whittle down the egg’s defenses. The medium difficulty curve is perfectly tuned: accessible for newcomers, yet challenging enough for seasoned tacticians ready to discover optimal attack paths and secret synergies. Controls are intuitive—move the camera with just a drag or the familiar A/D keys, and zoom in on the action to catch every delightful detail.

With no download required and seamless browser play through itch.io, The Great Hatch is the perfect pick-up-and-play experience—no matter your schedule. However, victories are fleeting: thanks to ongoing updates and teeming developer passion, progress resets with each exciting new feature drop, keeping the challenge fresh for all.

Join the growing community on Discord to trade strategies, share goblin fan art, and stay ahead of the curve. The Great Hatch isn’t just a game; it’s a living, ever-evolving world inviting you to crack open its secrets. Will your goblin army be the ones to finally hatch the truth?

How to Play

Start by rallying your goblin army from the opening screen. Use right-click drag or the A/D (left/right) keys to pan the camera and survey the battlefield—the mysterious egg awaits at the center, surrounded by obstacles and thrilling challenges. To zoom in or out for a closer look at your goblins or to plan large-scale attacks, simply use the mouse wheel or the + and - keys.

Your main objective is to direct your goblins to attack the egg strategically. Click on goblin groups to select and assign them to different positions. Think tactically: some goblins excel at cracking different parts of the egg or handling specific threats. Watch for environmental hazards and occasional enemy counterattacks, which can scatter your forces if you’re not vigilant.

Balance offense and defense as you adapt your strategy while the egg reveals new surprises. Monitor your goblins’ morale and numbers, repositioning forces as needed. Speed up or slow down your approach to react to changing situations—zoom in to manage individual units or zoom out to orchestrate larger maneuvers. Progress through stages by dealing sustained damage and surviving waves of new obstacles.

Since updates may erase your progress, embrace each run as a fresh new challenge. Regularly join the Discord for community tips and the latest news. Whether you’re a strategy veteran or indie newcomer, The Great Hatch’s intuitive controls and layered depth ensure every game is uniquely satisfying.

Controls

mouse

keyboard

Tips & Tricks

Rotate your camera often to spot lurking hazards and hidden opportunities around the egg.
Try splitting your goblin army to attack from multiple angles—some cracks in the egg are weaker than others.
Keep an eye on special goblin types and experiment to find devastating combinations against tough shell segments.
Zoom in fully during high-intensity moments to precision-manage key goblin groups.
Retreat and regroup if enemy counterattacks scatter your goblins—don’t charge blindly.
Check for environmental triggers—some items or effects can grant temporary buffs to your army.
Sync up with the community on Discord to discover advanced strategies and Easter eggs.

Game Features

Lead a mischievous army of customizable goblins with unique personalities.
Hand-crafted pixel art and lively animations that bring the battlefield to life.
Tactile real-time strategy controls tailored for seamless browser play.
Ongoing developer updates with fresh content and balance tweaks.
Medium difficulty balancing accessibility for beginners with challenging depth for experts.
Immersive soundtrack and whimsical effects building a memorable atmosphere.
Active community support—trade secrets, show off fan art, and connect on Discord.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save my progress in The Great Hatch?

Your progress is saved locally, but due to frequent developer updates, saves are reset every time a new build drops. Each run is a new adventure, so jump back in to experience what's changed!

Is The Great Hatch free to play and do I need to download anything?

Yes! The Great Hatch is 100% free and runs directly in your browser via itch.io. There’s no download or install required—just launch and play instantly.

Do I need a high-end PC to enjoy the game?

No, The Great Hatch is designed for browser play with lightweight HTML5 technology. It runs smoothly on most standard desktops and laptops.

Can I play The Great Hatch on mobile or tablet?

Currently, The Great Hatch is not mobile compatible and is best enjoyed on desktop browsers for optimal controls and experience.

How can I join the community and submit feedback or bug reports?

Join the official Discord server linked in-game to share feedback, report bugs, find tips, and connect with fellow goblin commanders and the dev team!