Umbraclaw

by INTI CREATES CO., LTD.

The Developer Says...

Umbraclaw tells the story of Kuon, a house cat who has died in the mortal world, after she awakens in the Soulplane, a realm of the dead. She must challenge the perilous underworld to return home to her owner in this 2D action adventure.

Players Like...

❤ Gameplay Mechanics

The protagonist, Kuon, has a limited number of lives - a single hit from an enemy or hazard will instantly kill her, causing her to lose one of her nine lives. However, this mechanic is cleverly subverted, as each time Kuon dies, she revives with a new random ability, known as an "Anima Revive." These abilities range from offensive skills like melee combos or projectile attacks, to mobility options like air dashes or wall jumps. This cycle of dying and reviving with new powers is a core part of the gameplay loop. Players must carefully navigate the treacherous environments, avoiding damage as much as possible, while also embracing Kuon's deaths to gain the abilities needed to overcome increasingly difficult challenges.

❤ Transformation Mechanics

As Kuon loses more lives, she eventually has the option to transform into a humanoid form. This form trades Kuon's nimble cat abilities for a more powerful, but less flexible moveset. In humanoid form, Kuon gains access to a standard health bar instead of her one-hit-kill status, as well as the ability to use her Anima Revive skills more freely. Players must weigh the pros and cons of each form to determine the optimal approach for each situation. Cat form is generally better suited for quick, precise platforming, while humanoid form excels at direct combat.

❤ Upgrade System

The game also features an extensive upgrade system that allows players to incrementally improve Kuon's abilities over multiple playthroughs. These upgrades, purchased using resources collected in each level, can enhance Kuon's damage, mobility, health, and more. This progression system encourages replayability, although the review notes that it can become grindy at times.

❤ Boss Battles

The boss battles are highlighted as a particular strength, with each boss presenting a unique challenge that often requires players to strategically switch between cat and humanoid forms to exploit their weaknesses. These encounters are described as "Mega Man-style," offering a satisfying test of the player's mastery of Kuon's abilities.

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