Get ready to feast your eyes on something truly unique! At the 2026 Gamescom Opening Night Live, Dlala Studios, the brilliant minds behind the revival of Battletoads, unveiled “Murals,” a game that’s part fairytale, part action brawler, and all-around awesome. Forget what you think you know about isometric action games; this one is serving up a whole new recipe.
A Fairytale Reimagined
Dlala Studios is breathing fresh life into classic folklore with “Murals,” an original IP that casts you as The Hero, a stoic protagonist who prefers his fists to fancy words. He’s joined by Loaf, a charmingly chatty slice of bread (yes, really!), adding a touch of whimsical humor to the dark and twisted world. Visually, the game is stunning, with a painterly art style that brings the fairytale settings to life. A clever design choice sees all enemies rendered in 3D, while friendly NPCs like Loaf are charmingly presented in 2D.
The game’s core concept revolves around “magical murals,” each representing a reimagined fairytale. Think Sleeping Beauty as a gothic horror landscape, or Hansel and Gretel with a sinister edge. Rumpelstiltskin, for example, is transformed into a colossal spider-like monstrosity – details revealed in an official prequel comic.
Fast-Paced Combat Meets Strategic Depth
During the Gamescom demo, Dlala showcased the fifth chapter of “Murals,” transporting players to a beachy, aquatic realm inspired by The Little Mermaid. The gameplay is fast and fluid, emphasizing dodging and strategic positioning. You can choose between a quick-slashing sword or a powerful hammer for close-quarters combat, and ranged attacks are also available. Walls rise during combat encounters, forcing you to manage your space effectively.
While comparisons to “Hades” might be inevitable, Dlala’s CEO and game director, Aj Grand-Scutton, emphasized that the inspiration runs deeper than just Supergiant Games’ masterpiece. The surprising muse? None other than id Software’s iconic shooter, Doom (2016). This unexpected influence shapes the core design philosophy of “Murals,” focusing on creating challenging encounters where each enemy excels at a single attack. The real challenge lies in mastering the combinations of foes that appear during each fight.
As you dispatch enemies, you’re rewarded with bonus XP, fueling a killstreak system. When the “Canvas Clear” meter fills, unleash a devastating area-of-effect attack. Furthermore, “Eeries,” special accessories, modify your attacks, adding elemental effects or fundamentally altering their properties. These aren’t temporary buffs; they’re permanent upgrades that you retain even after death, allowing for powerful and game-breaking combos.
Dlala Studios isn’t overly concerned with meticulous balance. If a player is having fun demolishing waves of enemies in single-player mode, who are they to interfere? After all, isn’s the goal to create an enjoyable experience?
“Murals” is slated for release on Windows PC in 2027. Get ready to dive into a fairytale unlike any you’ve experienced before!
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