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The Merlies

Planned release date: September 29, 2026

Playable in approximately 5 days

Delivered on purchase

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About The Merlies

About this game

The Merlies, a community of tiny birds, got scattered across the land by a huge storm! Explore a colorful charming 2D universe and unlock new hidden passages as your Merlies squad grows and learns new skills, in a metroidvania-like gameplay. Use each Merlies’ specific abilities during your exploration in this poetic adventure game.

While being beautiful, the world of The Merlies isn’t the most welcoming one. Your Merlies remain fragile little fellows exposed to the dangers of Nature. No creature or fight will be on your way but every thorn, every rock, every tree becomes an obstacle to overcome. Sometimes, the path will be hard to find, hidden in this wild and bucolic maze. And be careful not to lose one of your Merlies on the way!

Throughout your exploration, you’ll encounter remains of a long gone civilization. Lucky you! For one man’s junk is a Merlies’ treasure! Collect scraps to create and decorate your village, accommodate your Merlies and train them to get ready for exploration!

Visually inspired by graphic novels and children’s image books, The Merlies is a bright and cozy tale. Befriend cute expressive birds and go out with your new friends to discover the many biomes and uncover their passageways and secrets.

Climb electric cables and fallen billboards, send your Merlies up in the sky by jumping on mushrooms or explore empty pipes. For your small Merlies, everyday objects take on gigantic proportions and get a new purpose for your community: make a cozy house out of a lamp, a huge map out of a slate or a store room out of an ice cube tray!

But their little size isn’t going to stop their adventurous and creative minds to create a new and better community for their kind.

Human civilization is gone and Nature is healing. Discover a calm and comforting adventure and help your community grow through recycling and upcycling human junk. Wacky constructions and clever upcycling are the key to bringing comfort and happiness to your tribe. The Merlies’ way of life is to do a lot, with a little.

The Merlies is a Solarpunk game: post-apocalyptic, sure, but not like you would expect. It’s a bright tale promoting a hopeful future, where your Merlies are brought together by cooperation and solidarity. Community spirit and a clever (re)use of scraps are key features that take the game far from dystopic Cyberpunk often associated with post-apocalypse.

  • An exploration-based poetic adventure
  • A “wholesomevania” gameplay: explore a 2D map at your own pace
  • Exploit the many abilities of a squad of Merlies
  • Stunning and refined visuals with hand-made drawings
  • A solarpunk optimistic take on post-apocalypse games

Based on an idea by Cosmografik, creator of Type:Rider and Vandals.

 

Game Details

Platform:
steam
Release Date:
September 29, 2026
Developers:
Darjeeling
Blue Ramen

ARTE France
Publishers:
ARTE France
GCORES PUBLISHING
Supported Languages:
English
Steam Deck Support:
Unknown
Steam Machine Support:
Unknown
SteamOS Support:
Unknown
Steam Controller Support:
Xbox

Product Requirements

Minimum:

  • OS *: Windows 7
  • Processor: Intel i5 Quad-Core
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Intel HD 4000
  • Storage: 500 MB available space

Frequently Asked Questions

The Merlies will be available from September 29, 2026.
Minimum:
  • OS *: Windows 7
  • Processor: Intel i5 Quad-Core
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Intel HD 4000
  • Storage: 500 MB available space
The Merlies is published by ARTE France and GCORES PUBLISHING
The Merlies was developed by Darjeeling, Blue Ramen, and ARTE France
Fanatical users tagged The Merlies as Exploration, 2D Platformer, City Builder, and Adventure
Fanatical users tagged The Merlies as Cute, Nature, Relaxing, and Colorful
Yes, Fanatical users tagged The Merlies as Exploration
Yes, Fanatical users tagged The Merlies as 2D Platformer
Yes, Fanatical users tagged The Merlies as City Builder
© ARTE France, Darjeeling, Blue Ramen - Copublished by ARTE France and GCORES - 2026

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