Dlala Studios, known for its work on Battletoads and Disney Illusion Island, is developing Murals, an isometric narrative action game set to release for Windows PC in 2027. The game, revealed at Gamescom 2026, offers a fresh take on classic fairy tales, blending familiar stories with fast-paced combat. Despite its isometric perspective, which often suggests roguelike elements, the developers emphasize that Murals is not a direct Hades clone.
Players assume the role of The Hero, a stoic protagonist accompanied by a talking slice of bread named Loaf. The game features a unique visual style where enemies are rendered in 3D, while friendly non-player characters, like Loaf, are presented in 2D, complementing the game’s painterly aesthetic. Murals reimagines classic folklore such as Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood, twisting them into a darker narrative. For instance, Rumpelstiltskin is depicted as a massive spider-like creature. Each of these reimagined stories is contained within a "magical mural," which serves as the game's level selection mechanic.
During a hands-off preview at Gamescom, Dlala Studios showcased the game's fifth chapter, which is set in an aquatic environment inspired by The Little Mermaid. Gameplay involves entering combat arenas where walls close in, trapping the player until all enemies are defeated. Combat is fast-paced, featuring melee options like a sword and hammer, alongside ranged attacks. The core combat loop encourages rapid movement and dodging rather than parrying, drawing inspiration from the design philosophy of Doom (2016). Instead of requiring players to memorize complex enemy attack patterns, Murals focuses on challenging encounters through the combination of enemy types present in each fight. For example, players might face an initial group of spider crabs, only to be surprised by a new wave of horseshoe crabs that launch projectiles from a distance.
Defeating enemies contributes to a killstreak, awarding bonus experience points, and also fills a limit break gauge. Once full, this gauge allows players to unleash a powerful area-of-effect attack called Canvas Clear. The game also incorporates "Eeries," which are accessories that modify attacks and other character attributes. These modifiers range from basic stat enhancements, such as increased health or damage, to elemental effects like shocking or freezing enemies. Some Eeries can fundamentally alter combat mechanics, for instance, by weakening a weapon but enabling it to damage all enemies on screen simultaneously.
Dlala Studios views these modifiers as persistent upgrades, akin to roguelike abilities that players retain, rather than losing upon death. Players can equip up to nine Eeries, offering potential for highly potent and synergistic combos. According to game director Aj Grand-Scutton, the development team is not overly concerned with meticulous balance, prioritizing player enjoyment and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges with creative builds. The team believes that if a player is having fun demolishing waves of enemies, that experience should be encouraged.