At the recent INDIE Live Expo, we saw a lot of exciting and intriguing-looking games, but one that caught our eye was Moonbrella, a 2D physics-based Metroidvania where you are trying to reach the moon, but you don’t have a jump button!
It was announced that Moonbrella would be releasing across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sometime this year. Check out the announcement trailer below.
Developed and published by Jett Williams, Moonbrella has you playing as a lone robot left behind on a planet abandoned by humans. While the little bot only has tank treads to move left to right, they also have a fully articulated arm and an umbrella, the origins of the second half of Moonbrella’s name.
“I grew up playing console games and fantasising about one day making my own,” says lead developer Jett Williams. “So being able to publish them myself is a dream come true. It’s crazy just how much indies can do themselves these days.”
As you explore the uninhabited world, you’ll unlock new movement options for your umbrella, including jabbing the tip into terrain to vault over obstacles, opening the canopy to slow your fall and float long distances, and hook onto ledges, vines, and more with the handle to climb high and gain speed. With multiple ways to overcome obstacles and a focus on speedrunnig, it looks like Moonbrella’s unconventional moveset, which partially resembles the gameplay of Getting Over It with Bennet Foddy, will be its greatest challenge.
Moonbrella’s key features include:
- Journeying through dark caves, ancient structures, an active volcano, and more.
- Reviving a dying sunflower trapped in the moon’s shadow.
- Finding and collecting a variety of flowers and gemstones throughout the world.
Moonbrella is slated to launch on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2026.
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