Umbraclaw releases on May 30 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC

■ Announcement of release date

Today, January 23, 2024, Inti Creates has revealed extensive details, including the release date of its latest 2D action game, the umbrella! The demo will be available during the February 2024 Steam Next Fest.

the umbrella It tells the story of Kun, a house cat who died in the human world, after waking up in the Soulplane, the world of the dead. She must brave the perilous underworld to return to her owner's home in this 2D action adventure.

By taking the lead on development on Umbraclaw, Blaster Master Zero director Satoru Nishizawa will show that cats aren't just cute heroes, but also cool ones. The game also features a charming art-book style graphic style with a touch of darkness to reflect its story.

Will Kwon be able to break through the border to return home safely…?

■ Searching for hope in death

Con is dead. Shortly after this simple house cat leaves the human world, she awakens in the Soulplane, the realm of the dead.

The player controls Kuon the cat as she searches for a way to open the “frontier” to the mortal world and return home. The dangerous terrain and terrifying demons of the Soulplane present a near impossible challenge for a mere house cat. Any single blow to the kitten means instant death. However, it also means a new opportunity – Kuon has the power of “Anima Revive” to revive her with a new skill, challenging the trials that await her once again.

Kuon's story can meet a large number of endings depending on her actions, choices, and the player's actions. Her struggle to break the cycle of life and death may touch your soul.

■ Story

One life is over. Life is a fragile thing. It can be extinguished in an instant by any number of means.

This life belonged to a simple cat living with its owner. It may have been destroyed by its owner. They may have given her a formal burial. Perhaps they scattered her ashes. Or maybe they weren't aware of her death. She disappeared one day, never to return.

No matter the circumstances…one life is over.

After dying in the human world, Cat Kun awakened in the Spirit Plane. In order to return to its owner, it heads towards the only available exit, the “Border”.

■ Features

◆ (1) Find hope in death with “Anima Revive!”

Kon is just a mortal cat. Any damage to the Soulplane is enough to kill her instantly. However, the mysterious “Anima Revive” power will bring her back to life with new skills by absorbing the soul of another animal.

— Just a cat, Kwon dies easily.

—Anima Revive brings it back with a new skill.

-Overcoming her weakness, she can now defeat enemies.

Animal skills

-Elephant: The elephant's trunk snatches enemy projectiles from the air.

—Crow: Crow's wings grant one jump in the air.

—Tyrannosaurus: Transform and roar to attack with a powerful shockwave.

Kwon can become stronger by transforming into human form, but… Kwon can only revive up to 9 times. “Cats have nine lives” after all. Will Kwon be able to escape the Spirit Plane before she loses her nine lives?

—Feline Kuon with the “Dodge and Flee” movement.

Transforms into a whole new way of playing…

—Humanoid Kuon with the “Full Fighting” move.

After repeated deaths, Kwon will absorb the “human soul”. Transforming her into a human form designed for combat. The gameplay changes with it, from focusing on “avoiding enemies to fighting them.”

◆ (2) Traverse a dark and stunning underworld

Con's journey home is lavishly rendered through hand-drawn, paper-cut art style. Each enemy and twisty environment has been lovingly designed by the Inti Creates art team.

◆ (3) A story that will leave a mark on your “soul”

The “death” of one cat begins a cycle of rebirth.

As Kwon struggles to return home, she will meet other souls who have fallen into the underworld, like or unlike her.

Kuon's story can meet a large number of endings depending on her actions, choices, and the player's actions.

Will you be able to maintain your humanity and Kun's kindness until the end?

■ Characters

Con: Cats

A house cat died and woke up in the spirit plane. In order to return to its owner, it must find a way to open the “border” between worlds. While she still appears to be an ordinary cat, she has been revived in the Soulplane as one of the demons living there. This granted her the Anima Revive ability, which brings her back to life when she dies, along with other mysterious powers.

Universe: Human-like (Voiced by Jenny Yukobori in English, and Rei Kawamura in Japanese)

After using Anima Revive repeatedly, Kuon absorbs a human's soul and transforms into a new body. Sharpened to fight against the demons of the Soulplane, as it is, this transformation also affects Kuon's heart and soul. There is a danger that she may forget her true owner and purpose, and become something akin to the other demons around her.

Tsukumo (Voiced by Christina Asaf Costello in English, and Yuko Natsuyoshi in Japanese)

Malik Kun returns to the human world. She found Kwon as a kitten and has lived with her ever since. Tsukumo's parents rarely come home due to work, and their relationship deteriorates as a result. She is shy, has few friends, doesn't really enjoy school, and has no clear dreams for the future. Low in self-confidence, she is a typical depressive teenager. She's become quite an idiot around Kon, probably thanks to the emotional support she provides.