A brand-new platformer on the Nintendo Switch called The Merlies is like a 2D take on Pikmin with a touch of Metroidvania, and it lets players manage a flock of tiny birds. Although The Merlies‘ premise may initially seem like a copy of Pikmin, its unique twists could appeal to both Pikmin fans on Nintendo Switch and players new to the franchise, especially since the game is also releasing on PC via Steam.
The Merlies features almost everything expected from a Pikmin-like game, including collecting lost creatures, calling them with a whistle, and using them to solve problems. However, it puts more emphasis on each individual bird, as every one has a unique personality and specialization. The game also features city-building mechanics, adding an interesting twist to the tried-and-true Pikmin formula.
The Merlies Is a Wholesome Pikmin-Like Game with a Twist
Check Out The Merlies on the Nintendo eShop
- Genre: 2D Platformer, City Builder, Metroidvania
- Developer(s): Darjeeling, Blue Ramen, ARTE France
- Release Date: September 29, 2026
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam
Unlike in the Pikmin franchise, where players control groups of tiny creatures, The Merlies lets players control each bird in their flock individually. Rather than using color-based creature types like red and yellow Pikmin, the game gives each bird unique skills. These abilities are crucial for overcoming obstacles and reaching new areas, as The Merlies is essentially a Metroidvania.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Finding birds with new skills and unlocking buildings with useful features gradually gives players access to new areas of the map, allowing them to uncover its secrets.
The gameplay loop in The Merlies revolves around expeditions to find new birdies. During these search-and-rescue missions, players can also discover relics from a lost human civilization, which are visually comparable to the treasures found in Pikmin games. However, these relics are primarily used to build a bird city, or a nest, with each structure adding more functionality to the game. Finding birds with new skills and unlocking buildings with useful features gradually gives players access to new areas of the map, allowing them to uncover its secrets.
The Merlies Takes Full Advantage of the Flock
One of the most interesting features in The Merlies is its flock-based movement mechanics. The birds in the player’s squad can hold wings to form a line or stack up and launch the bird on top into the air to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. Interestingly, the tiny birds in The Merlies cannot fly for some reason, but they are smart enough to use tools like umbrellas and ride the wind. Unlike Pikmin‘s cute creatures that can sometimes attack the player, The Merlies features no hostile animals or actual enemies, so the main thing players need to worry about during expeditions is losing one of their birdies.
The Merlies Has a Free Demo on Steam
Fans of cozy games who cannot wait for The Merlies‘ September 29 release can download its free demo on Steam to get a feel for the game before buying it. The demo offers enough content to showcase the core gameplay loop and overall experience, though it is currently exclusive to Steam and is not available for the Nintendo Switch version. As for the price, the Nintendo eShop lists The Merlies at $19.99 USD, but it remains to be seen whether the Steam version will follow the same pricing.
- Released
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July 21, 2023
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
