Moth Kubit is coming to Steam in 2024.
Publisher Astrolabe Games and Brazilian developer Helena Creative Studio have announced “Moth Kubit”, an indie RPG with pixilated graphics that provides a quirky and satirical interpretation of Franz Kafka’s famous novel “The Metamorphosis”. The game is set to release worldwide on PC in 2024 through Steam, and wishlisting is now available.
Rather than a different take, it would be more appropriate to call it an ‘ordinary’ take on Kafka’s protagonist Gregor and his transformation into a monstrous vermin, where the titular insect-like protagonist, Moth Kubit, retains his salary job and even gets a recent promotion (Gregor originally lost his job and life). The game still retains Kafka’s surrealist elements, however, as Kubit embarks on a weird adventure inside the megacorporation to redeem or eradicate himself before the mysterious “Final Process” arrives.
Moth Kubit uses a 2D top-down perspective, and promises multiple endings based on the protagonist’s choices, in the same vein as the original novel inspiration which is famous for its multiple interpretations. You are not the only insect in town either – unlike Gregor – as you will get to meet other co-bug-workers, investigate objects, and solve puzzles to advance the story. There are many sectors and business levels inside the corporation, and everything is supposed to be interactive and interlinked, with some workers apparently able to do more than their day job and alter reality itself.
Grotesquely enough, the types of insects you will meet are relevant to the story, as there are so many of them, literally an entire Insectopedia. Moths, Ladybugs, Beetles, Caterpillars, Dragonflies, you name it, and each species is related to the personality and motivation of the related insect. The combat system may also scratch that Undertale itch, as it depends on persuasion skills more than physical strength. Furthermore, the combat system – named Love Sick Disorder – will be relevant to the story progression and its different outcomes.
Moth Kubit cites Albert Camus as a source of inspiration in addition to Kafka, and doubles down on that quirky Undertale-esque vibe with many thematic mini-games that require quick responses from the player between dialogues, like complex political arguments and some form of stock market battles. It appears that there will be interactive phone elements as well, and hopefully more charming references here and there for the keen-eyed like that co-worker who is watching Naruto in the trailer.
