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On August 21, 2024, Play on Worlds announced Maui the Shapeshifter at the Future Games Show at Gamescom. The 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania welcomes players to experience the rich folklore of Polynesian mythology. It does so in a way that integrates its portrayal from Disney. Its inclusion of pieces from Hawaiian mythology and unique animal transformations sets it apart from other games alike. The title is a running and jumping, mythical adventure game where you can transform into various Hawaiian animals. The animals’ different traversal styles allow you to ascend cliffs, swing across trees, and take a fall from huge distances as you battle the monsters and beasts within the game.
Story
Maui is a cultural hero who diversifies the world through his inventions and discoveries. He is more than the cheerful demigod depicted in Disney's films Moana and Disney Dreamlight Valley. He is known for his tricks and heroic feats, such as slowing down the sun or fishing islands deep beneath the ocean. The demigod Maui embarks on an adventure to rescue his island from an evil darkness that plagues them. He strives to protect the Polynesian island's rich wildlife and rainforests from a dark, corrupt force known as Cemyk that fell out of the sky.
The island is full of challenges, tasks to complete, and secrets to uncover. However, it is Maui’s main duty to traverse it. He relies on the help of the spirit Aumakua to collect more animal forms and fight back against the corruption that has befallen them from the outside world.
Maui uses his epic fish hook to slice his way through the thick jungle on the island. He also uses it on any entities that do not run away immediately after he transforms into a seal and breaks through the floor. During his quest, Maui uses his shapeshifting abilities to transform himself into creatures that enable him to fight the evil on the island. Maui the Shapeshifter embodies a diverse range of biomes. They include rocky mountains, thick jungles, a volcanic summit, the famous Menehune Village, as well as the spirit realm. The game incorporates NPCs to help you solve puzzles and challenges. Moreover, they engage in conversation with you and assist in unlocking additional abilities that integrate with the game's system to create unique builds.
Gameplay
Maui the Shapeshifter has an amazing feature that allows players to transform into unique animals to overcome the game’s challenges. The gameplay involves running, jumping, and attacking. However, transforming into the different Hawaiian animals allows you to develop additional movement options. These movements allow you to explore and progress in different areas. Moreover, the game has a “customizable slot system” that enables players to upgrade their performance and choose only the abilities they prefer to use.
You can shapeshift into a Hoary bat if you want to soar through the skies. If you need to break through the earth's surface, you can shapeshift into a seal and bellyflop. Embodying a Hawaiian Monk Seal will help you survive huge falls while becoming a Happy Face. Spider allows you to shoot webs that help you swing through the trees. You can overcome all the difficult obstacles by combining different animal abilities. It also allows you to reveal the game's secrets and hidden areas. The transformations not only enrich the gameplay; they also relate to Maui’s mythological mastery of shapeshifting.
You will be able to wield Maui’s iconic magic fish hook. The hook, however, is not just for combat. It also allows you to enjoy a bit of environmental manipulation and use it for puzzle-solving. You can upgrade your hook’s stats as you progress through the game. The action makes it even more useful in your quest to defend the island from the influence of the dark Cemyk and a plaguing force from an outside world.
Development
Play on Worlds doubles up as the game’s developer and publisher. The game is designed as a Metroidvania, side-scrolling action-adventure title. It presents players with an open-world map set on a vibrant Polynesian island. It stands out for having a unique hand-painted art style that showcases vibrant and beautiful landscapes. Maui ventures through diverse biomes, including tropical forests, waterfalls, caves, volcanoes, and spiritual realms.
Overall, the development team ends with a game incorporating Hawaiian culture's legends into the platforming genre to unleash a great effect. Somehow, it pays tribute to Polynesian mythology, portraying Maui in a light that illuminates his roots. With Maui the Shapeshifter, players rediscover a legend by immersing themselves in an interactive world of meticulously crafted Metroidvania.
Trailer
Maui the Shapeshifter - Official Reveal Trailer | gamescom 2024
The first trailer of this 2D hand-drawn game depicts the visuals of a captivating world and some action gameplay. The trailer begins with a dark creature from another world called Cemyk. Cemyuk invades the peaceful Polynesian island. However, Maui uses his shapeshifting abilities to battle the threat using his famous hook. The trailer sets up the story and provides a glimpse of the possibilities that lie ahead. It then goes ahead to show a moment-to-moment gameplay.
Maui uses the spirit of Aumakua to allow him to transform into different variations of animals. The transformations allow him to reach new heights, slide down hills, or glide across distances. He also uses his fishing hook to manipulate the environment, solve puzzles, and create new paths across the island. Upgrading the weapons enhances strength, range, and other stats, so you will do more than we can see in the trailer.
Release Date and Platforms
Maui the Shapeshifter is set to release on Steam sometime later. The developers have yet to issue an official release date, but the game is confirmed for PC. Players can already wishlist it on Steam. More information on Maui the Shapeshifter is available at the game’s official website. You can follow its development team via their social media for updates.
