Umbraclaw

About

Umbraclaw is a single player shooter game. It was developed by INTI CREATES CO., LTD. and was released on May 30, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Find hope in death. In Umbraclaw, take control of Kuon, a cat who dies in the mortal world and awakens in the Soulplane, the world of the dead. Brave the horrors of the underworld to reunite Kuon with his owner in this 2D action-adventure game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a stunning art style and engaging soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
Gameplay is stylish and rewarding, with a unique mechanic where dying grants new abilities, encouraging exploration and experimentation.
The levels, while not overly complex, have unique gimmicks and visuals that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.

The upgrade system can be tedious and grindy, requiring multiple playthroughs to fully complete.
The game suffers from repetitive music and a lack of additional features like a jukebox or cutscene viewer, which would enhance replayability.
The story and character development are underwhelming, with limited exploration of the setting and backstory.

gameplay
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
74%
9%
The gameplay of this platformer is a mixed bag, featuring stylish art and engaging combat mechanics, particularly in cat form, but suffers from repetitive music tracks and a weak overall concept. While it offers unique mechanics, power-ups, and multiple endings, players may find the initial learning curve confusing and the pacing slow. Comparisons to other titles from the developers suggest that there are better platforming experiences available, despite some enjoyable elements like boss fights and story choices.
- “This is a solid little platformer with wonderful art and some tighter-than-expected combat mechanics, especially in cat form.”
- “Fun for its interesting take on power-ups and platformer gameplay.”
- “Good art, fluid gameplay, and engaging story.”
- “In the end, I think the gameplay concept here is very weak, and it isn't executed well.”
- “From end to end, the game and its mechanics are just abysmal.”
- “Tracks are not too long, so the loops kind of get bothersome in long gameplay sections, and the levels of each chapter use the same track based on your form, even though they have unique intro themes.”
story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
58%
10%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its engaging atmosphere and memorable protagonist, while others criticize the lack of depth in character backstories and the limited exploration of the game world. Players appreciate the impactful dialogue and the potential for varied endings, but many feel that the overall narrative is underdeveloped and fails to fully capitalize on its interesting concepts. The gameplay mechanics, which require players to remain weak for optimal story outcomes, have also drawn criticism for limiting player abilities and making the experience feel simplistic.
- “The story and dialogue is super powerful, especially if you're going through it blind.”
- “Great so far, with tight controls, useful powerups, and a moving story line.”
- “Regarding the story, I think it's pretty solid, mainly excelling in atmosphere and providing a host of interesting characters along the way.”
- “I love the personalities of the characters, but the setting and backstory are not explored much, and all of the bosses, barring Locke, only appear in one stage and only get pre-battle dialogue.”
- “The hidden ending of the game, which can only be viewed by completing nine runs total, is a whole two dialogue boxes long and has very few real implications for the story or the world.”
- “It has some decent concepts, but not even the story can carry this hot mess of a game.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The graphics of the game are praised for their unique art style, often compared to "Okami" and featuring a distinctive paper-craft aesthetic that sets it apart from other titles. While the visuals and character designs are impressive, some reviewers note that the levels lack complexity and that additional features like a jukebox or artwork gallery would enhance the experience. Overall, the art style is a highlight, but it alone may not be sufficient to elevate the game's overall appeal.
- “The art style and character designs are amazing, but it cannot carry the game alone.”
- “Amazing visuals: check.”
- “The levels are not the most complex or groundbreaking, but their unique gimmicks and visuals add some spice.”
- “No expanded features like a jukebox, cutscene viewer (which I would have definitely liked for those endings), or artwork gallery.”
- “A lot of people liken this art style to Okami's, but Umbraclaw goes for a sort of paper-craft aesthetic that is wholly different from anything else I've played.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game is generally well-received for its atmospheric quality and strong tracks, but many users note that it can be repetitive, with some levels sharing the same few music tracks. While the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, there are criticisms regarding its lack of variety and specific missed opportunities, such as character interactions tied to music. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance but leaves room for improvement in diversity.
- “Great artstyle, soundtrack, and voice acting for both languages.”
- “Definitely a good game with a great soundtrack and a unique way of playing this Megaman-esque game.”
- “Nice atmospheric music: check.”
- “The music from iii hits hard as always, though I did find it disappointing that all the levels essentially share the same two music tracks.”
- “The music from iii hits hard as always, though I did find it disappointing that all the levels essentially share the same two music tracks.”
- “The music from iii hits hard as always, though I did find it disappointing that all the levels essentially share the same two music tracks.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game offers good replayability, featuring multiple endings and upgrade paths that encourage players to explore different outcomes. While it may not reach the replay value of typical titles from the developer, it still provides a satisfying experience for those willing to refine their skills and engage with its mechanics. Overall, players can expect a rewarding journey through various playthroughs.
- “Good replay value, with multiple endings and upgrades to fill out.”
- “Positives include tight controls, replayability through its many endings, the track 'Fifth Life Soulbeast' that plays through Kuon's humanoid form, and the entirety of the 'Anima Revive' concept - which awards you bonus abilities that help shape Kuon's journey through the Soulplane.”
- “While the replayability isn't as strong as it would be in your usual game by Inti, it's still pretty good with the different endings you can aim towards.”
- “This is a type of game that is easy if you have previous experience with platformers, but it has replay value that requires actual skill and learning of the levels.”
- “Positives include tight controls, replayability through its many endings, and the entirety of the 'anima revive' concept - which awards you bonus abilities that help shape Kuon's journey through the soulplane.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding for upgrades to be tedious, requiring multiple runs to collect necessary resources like hope points and color gems. While some suggest that later bosses may increase in difficulty and evolving into stronger forms could alleviate the grind, many are hesitant to invest the time needed to fully explore these options. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant but manageable part of the gameplay experience.
- “Completing the upgrades is quite grindy, needing you to gather both hope points and color gems throughout levels to get them, and it can take like 7 runs to finish the upgrade collection.”
- “Perhaps later bosses become more difficult, and perhaps letting yourself 'evolve' into the stronger form makes this less tedious, but I'm not prepared to play this game past the refund window to find out.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, featuring captivating music that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that the solid story is complemented by a rich atmosphere and a diverse cast of interesting characters, contributing to an immersive environment.
- “Regarding the story, I think it's pretty solid, mainly excelling in atmosphere and providing a host of interesting characters along the way.”
- “Nice atmospheric music: check”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a strong emotional response by blending humor and moral dilemmas, as players navigate the life of Kuon, a deceased housecat with unique powers. The experience is described as both entertaining and thought-provoking, prompting players to feel conflicted about their character's growth and abilities.
- “A very cool and emotional romp that makes you morally feel bad for getting stronger.”
- “You are Kuon, a recently deceased housecat with amazing cat powers like 'waking someone up by stepping on their groin' and 'never ever touching water'.”