Developer Dlala Studios, known for its work on Disney Illusion Island, has announced its next project, Murals. This new title is an action game that will put a fresh spin on classic fairy tales. While no specific release date has been provided, it is slated to launch next year.
During a preview event at Gamescom 2026, Dlala Studios presented a glimpse of Murals, which game director and CEO AJ Grand-Scutton described as their take on tales from authors like Hans Christian Andersen. These are not interpretations of Disney's versions of the stories, but rather Dlala's original interpretations. The game's protagonist is a character called The Hero, who operates within vibrant, painterly worlds.
The preview offered a look at a segment based on The Little Mermaid. In this section, The Hero assists the iconic character, who is depicted with octopus-like hair, within a moving bathtub. The Hero is accompanied by Toast, a whimsical character who handles most of the dialogue, as they battle monsters known as The Distorted.
Murals marks a significant departure from Dlala's previous work, Disney Illusion Island, as it features combat. The gameplay draws inspiration from titles such as Doom for its enemy variety and Hades for its isometric arena-style combat. The combat is characterized by its stylish visuals, vibrant colors, and dynamic effects. Players control The Hero, who can utilize melee weapons like the Dixie Cut sword and ranged options such as the Dragon Medallion blaster.
Despite the visual and combat similarities to Hades, Murals is not a roguelite. It is structured as a linear adventure with a narrative focus. The game's stages are designed with unique environmental hazards and barriers that shape the combat arenas, encouraging strategic positioning.
Throughout the game, players can acquire 'Eeries,' which function similarly to Boons in Hades. These Eeries offer permanent combat enhancements that can be equipped and unequipped to alter gameplay. For instance, one Eerie might add a chance to freeze enemies with projectile attacks, while another could electrify foes hit by melee strikes. Progression appears to be tied to earning experience points from encounters and kill streaks, which allow players to upgrade The Hero's attributes like damage and health.
As enemies are defeated, players collect 'Distortion,' which fills an on-screen bar. Once full, this meter enables a powerful ultimate move with a distinct hand-animated visual effect. The preview also touched upon accessibility, with Grand-Scutton assuring that difficulty settings will be adjustable, aiming to make Murals as welcoming to newcomers as Disney Illusion Island was.