The Merlies is a 2D adventure where you guide a group of small birds scattered by a storm across a world left behind by humans. You explore, unlock new routes as your group learns new skills, and build a village out of scavenged scraps. The world is post-apocalyptic, but the tone is gentle. If you like metroidvania-style exploration without combat, this one is worth a look.
Game Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Game title | The Merlies |
| Platform | PC (Steam, Windows); Nintendo Switch (listed as supported on Switch 2) |
| Release date | September 29, 2026 |
| Genre | Adventure, Indie (Steam); store tags also include Exploration, 2D Platformer, City Builder and Crafting |
| Developer | Darjeeling, Blue Ramen, ARTE France (Steam); Darjeeling (Nintendo) |
| Publisher | ARTE France and GCORES Publishing (Steam); ARTE Experience (Nintendo US) |
| File size | Nintendo Switch and Switch 2: 2 GB. PC download size not verified |
| Version / update | Not supplied |
| Languages | English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese on Steam. Nintendo also lists Latin American Spanish and Canadian French |
About the Game
A storm has scattered a community of tiny birds called the Merlies. You explore a hand-drawn 2D world, find them, and bring them back together. The world is full of leftover human objects such as cables, billboards, pipes and mushrooms, and to the birds these are terrain and building material.
The setting is post-apocalyptic, with human civilization gone and nature recovering. The developers call it solarpunk, meaning an optimistic take on the genre built around cooperation and reusing what’s left. The art draws on graphic novels and children’s picture books.
The store pages don’t describe a detailed plot, named characters or an ending, so this article doesn’t guess at them. The game is also based on an idea by Cosmografik, the creator of Type:Rider and Vandals.
Key Features
- Metroidvania-style exploration. New abilities unlock hidden routes, so you can revisit areas with new options. The publisher calls it “wholesomevania” and says you explore at your own pace.
- A squad with different abilities. Each Merlie has specific skills, so how you use your group determines where you can go.
- No combat. Store pages say there are no creatures or fights. The challenge comes from the environment, such as thorns, rocks and trees, and from finding paths that are hard to spot.
- Village building from scraps. You collect junk to build and decorate a village, house your birds and train them for exploration. Examples given include a lamp turned into a house and an ice cube tray turned into storage.
- Everyday objects at bird scale. Ordinary human items become climbable, usable structures.
- Hand-drawn art. The visuals are bright and illustrated rather than realistic.
- Optimistic tone. The game is built around community and reuse instead of dystopian survival.
Gameplay and Player Experience
You move through a 2D map made up of several biomes, climbing, jumping and exploring to find secrets and passages. Growing your squad and unlocking abilities opens up more of the world.
Between expeditions, you use what you’ve scavenged to grow your village. The game describes this as a loop of exploring, collecting, building and training, though the sources don’t detail how the systems work.
The store pages also warn that a Merlie can be lost on the way. The sources don’t say what that costs you or whether it can be undone. It is single-player only, and Steam lists 13 achievements.
I don’t have hands-on experience with the game, so this describes what the publisher’s material says and isn’t a review. Length, difficulty and pacing are unknown.
Platform and Availability
The Merlies is confirmed for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo page lists Switch 2 compatibility and says behavior is consistent with the original Switch.
- PC: The minimum requirements are Windows 7, an Intel i5 quad-core, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 graphics and 500 MB of storage. Steam notes that its client now supports only Windows 10 and later, so use that as your practical baseline. Steam features include cloud saves and Family Sharing. Fanatical also lists full controller support, which I couldn’t confirm on Steam. Steam Deck status is not yet determined.
- Nintendo Switch: TV, tabletop and handheld modes are supported, along with Save Data Cloud through Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Account family-group lending.
- Other platforms: None are confirmed in the sources.
For the current price, regional availability and any launch offers, use the official Steam page or the Nintendo eShop listing. Fanatical is an authorized reseller of Steam keys, and its listing covers PC only. Keys are region-specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there combat in The Merlies?
No. Store descriptions say there are no creatures or fights. The obstacles are environmental, and you have to avoid losing members of your squad.
What platforms is it on?
PC through Steam and Nintendo Switch, with Switch 2 listed as supported. No other platforms are confirmed in the sources.
Can I play with friends?
No. Both Steam and Nintendo list it as single-player, with one player on Switch.
What are the PC minimum requirements?
Windows 7, Intel i5 quad-core, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 graphics and 500 MB storage. Recommended requirements aren’t listed.
Which languages are supported?
Steam lists English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Only English has full audio. The rest have interface and subtitles. Nintendo lists a few additional regional variants.
Final Overview
The Merlies combines metroidvania-style exploration, a squad of birds with different abilities and a village built from scavenged junk. Its listed features point to a calm, non-violent, single-player adventure with hand-drawn art and an optimistic take on the post-apocalypse. It may suit players who prefer exploration and building to combat. How well the systems hold together, how long it lasts and how it performs on each platform aren’t covered by the sources, so check reviews once they appear.
