Sit down, Moana. A Hawaiian mythology-inspired Metroidvania brings Maui into the world of gaming

Maui’s story is often overshadowed by Disney's Moana because people get Disney fever and forget that many Disney characters have their own mythology. Play on Worlds offers a refreshing take on Maui's story with their upcoming game, Maui the Shapeshifter.

Unveiled during the Future Games Show at Gamescom on August 21, 2024, this 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania invites players to experience the rich folklore of Polynesian mythology in a way that diverges from the Disney portrayal.

Maui is far more than the fun-loving demigod portrayed by Disney in Moana and Disney Dreamlight Valley. He's not here to help you upgrade your axe. Maui is a culture hero — someone who changes the world through invention or discovery — who is known for his trickster ways and legendary feats, like slowing down the Sun or fishing islands from the ocean’s depths. Maui the Shapeshifter by Play on Worlds delves into these tales, offering a deeper exploration of Maui’s character as a youthful, yet powerful, figure.

Here, Maui isn’t the burly man we saw on screen, but a teenager on the brink of maturity, navigating the challenges of his world — a narrative that feels almost like a coming-of-age story, if demigods have coming-of-age stories...?

About Maui the Shapeshifter

For those unfamiliar, Metroidvania is a subgenre of action-adventure games that emphasize exploration, puzzle-solving, and gaining abilities that unlock new areas of the game. Maui the Shapeshifter presents players with an open-world map set on a vibrant Polynesian island. The game’s sprawling biomes, ranging from jungles to volcanoes, are all hand-drawn, creating a visually stunning world with plenty of secrets to uncover.

One of the game’s amazing features is the ability to transform into various animals, each with unique abilities that are essential for overcoming obstacles and enemies. Want to soar through the skies? Shapeshift into a Hoary Bat. Need to break through the earth? Guess you're bellyflopping as a seal. These transformations enrich the gameplay and tie back to Maui’s mythological mastery of shapeshifting.

Players will be able to wield Maui’s iconic magic fish hook. It’s not just for combat; the hook will let players enjoy some environmental manipulation and use it for puzzle-solving! As players progress, they can upgrade the hook’s stats, making it even more useful in their quest to protect the island’s wildlife from the corrupting influence of Cemyk, a malevolent force from another world.

Maui the Shapeshifter seems to be a tribute to Polynesian mythology, presenting Maui in a light that’s both true to his roots and innovative in its execution. It’s a game that invites players to rediscover a legend, not through the lens of Western animation but through the immersive and interactive world of a meticulously crafted Metroidvania.

Set to release on Steam, Maui the Shapeshifter is a must-play for fans of the genre and anyone interested in experiencing a different side of Maui’s legend.

Want to read about other Metroidvania games at Pro Game Guides? Check out Constance is a colorful Metroidvania that will make the eternal Silksong wait easier and The Animal Well soundtrack is minimalist electronic terror toasted to perfection.