‘ÆRTHLINGS’ drops you into a delightfully strange universe where tiny cube-shaped creatures called ÆRTHLINGS have survived a catastrophic “MoonCrash” and now have to rely on us to help rebuild their shattered world while avoiding the resource-gobbling moonlings, called Interns.

Developed by Modern Games, in partnership with Melbourne-based Moose Toys, this hybrid experience combines collectable NFC-enabled mystery box toys with a free mobile game that brings each figure to life when scanned.

ÆRTHLINGS was launched with high enthusiasm at PAX Australia 2025. ÆRTHLINGS has become a rapid sensation with players hatching, trading and exploring the vibrant world of ÆRTH. ÆRTHLINGS isn’t just encouraged, it’s rewarded with every exchange strengthening digital linages and unlocking new characters and rewards. 

MKAU Gaming were sent a couple of the ÆRTHLINGS to check out, and needless to say, they are designed for the collectors out there, and they did not disappoint. Each one you pick up feels like a miniature unboxing ritual, which sparked my curiosity.

Each unit contains one randomly selected ÆRTHLING figure, along with a small information insert that hints at its origins and rarity. The capsule itself is compact and designed, with a modern collectible toy aesthetic that feels really premium.

Once opened, the ÆRTHLING is a solid, cube-shaped figure with softly rounded edges, giving it a friendly, almost squishy silhouette despite its feeling very sturdy. Each figure is made from smooth, high-quality plastic with a matte finish that helps the colours pop without looking cheap.

With 24 to collect, ranging from common to legendary in rarity, the colours vary on the character, so you could get anything from earthy themed tones to bold, brighter colours, which gave the ÆRTHLINGs some personality. I was a big fan of the stylish, simplistic design, and I liked that if you didn’t know, you wouldn’t even know there is an NFC hidden inside each of the characters. 

As I mentioned before, the ÆRTHLINGS figures are more than just collectibles; they’re a gateway to the digital game experience, and their functions revolve around the NFC-enabled interactions. Each figure contains an embedded NFC chip that, when scanned by the ÆRTHLINGS mobile app, once scanned, unlocks the corresponding character in the game, allowing players to hatch, level up and trade them all digitally.

This integration works super smoothly, and the figures are easily recognised by the app, which makes it feel seamless and almost magical for younger players or collectors alike. The figures themselves are passive, requiring no batteries or chasing, which is a major plus and makes them so accessible. I never had an issue with the physical-to-digital connection, which made the NFC implementation highly effective for its purpose.

The ÆRTHLINGS app is available for free on iOS and Android, which, as I mentioned before, brings the physical figures to life and is packed with engaging content without any upfront cost beyond the toys themselves.

You are able to jump straight into the world of ÆRTH using the scanned ÆRTHLINGS to participate in a variety of mini-games, quests and challenges. The mini-games range from puzzles and memory tests to fast-paced reaction games, offering rewards like in-app currency, experience points and the occasional exclusive item.

The quests and challenges are designed to be interactive and story-driven, encouraging players to rebuild environments and complete daily or weekly objectives. Being free-to-play makes these features accessible to everyone. Adding to the overall experience is a YouTube channel with 10 animated episodes and even a webtoon comic, making it even more accessible to all.

ÆRTHLINGS delivers a unique blend of collectible figures and interactive digital gameplay, combining charming, cube-shaped toys with a free mobile app full of min-games, questions and challenges.

The figures are well designed, tactile and durable, while the app makes scanning, trading and levelling up intuitive and engaging. Overall, the product is fun, innovative and accessible. Retailing at $10 per figure from BIG W, ÆRTHLINGS is an affordable way to get started in collecting. 

Written by: Hayden Nelson