Maui’s story is often overshadowed by Disney’s Moana because people get Disney fever and forget that many Disney characters have their own mythology. Play on Worlds offers a refreshing take on Maui’s story with their upcoming game, Maui the Shapeshifter.
Moana 2 | Official Trailer
Revealed during the Future Games Show at Gamescom on August 21, 2024, this hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania invites players to experience the rich folklore of Polynesian mythology in a way that deviates from the way Disney imagined the game.
Maui is much more than the cheerful demigod Disney portrayed in Moana and Disney Dreamlight Valley . He’s not here to help you upgrade your axe. Maui is a culture hero—someone who changes the world through invention or discovery—known for his deceptive ways and legendary feats like slowing down the sun or fishing islands from the depths of the ocean. Play on Worlds’ Maui the Shapeshifter delves into these stories, offering a deeper exploration of Maui’s character as a youthful, yet powerful, figure.
Maui here is not the muscular man we saw on screen, but a teenager on the cusp of adulthood who must face the challenges of his world. A story that almost feels like a coming-of-age story, if demigods had coming-of-age stories…?
