Bolt of Whalington is the kind of game that doesn't take itself too seriously. Developed by Orca Studio, this upcoming 2D metroidvania puts you in control of a cat with a mech, letting you switch between the two as you explore a sprawling world.
Between its playful sense of humour, the freedom to experiment with your mech's abilities, and a map full of secrets to uncover, Bolt of Whalington has plenty to offer fans of the genre. While its influences are easy to recognise, it has enough ideas of its own to make it worth a closer look.
The World of Whalington
Starting zone: Sardine
Bolt of Whalington puts you in the paws of Bolt, a cat who works as an engineer. Unfortunately, his day takes a turn for the worse when his workplace comes under attack and the ground crumbles beneath him, sending him tumbling into a chasm. Finding his way back home means navigating Whalington castle and whatever surprises await along the way, starting in the Sardine zone.
Despite the trouble Bolt finds himself in, the game never takes itself too seriously. Even the name of the castle is a joke of sorts: Whalington is shaped like a whale, so the developers simply named it after one.
That playful tone comes through in everything from the cartoonish art style to the narrator, who has a habit of commenting on your actions. Even the NPCs have a cheeky side, with conversations worth stopping for rather than rushing past. The soundtrack fits right in, giving the adventure a relaxing atmosphere without distracting from what's happening on screen.
A Mech Makes All the Difference
The Kitchen
Like any good Metroidvania, exploration is the name of the game here. Whalington is a huge interconnected world, filled with secrets, breakable walls, hidden upgrades, and even some doors locked behind specific key presses. With so much to discover, I often found myself checking every nook and cranny in search of hidden collectibles.
And the fun doesn't stop there. As you progress, you'll unlock new abilities that open up a whole new realm of possibilities. But while most Metroidvanias give you a double jump or the ability to climb walls, Bolt of Whalington takes things a step further. You can shrink down and turn into a rat, sacrifice your health to create keys, or get your hands on the game's main attraction, the Mech.
It seems that the developers at Orca Studio loved Titanfall 2 as much as I do, because they must have thought, "You know what would make our game even better? A mech." And let me tell you, they were 100% correct. Need to grapple onto ledges or bouncy platforms? Use the Mech's grappling hook. Is there a large obstacle blocking your way? Don't worry, the Mech takes care of it. It's just that simple: the game suddenly opens up, and you feel like a captive animal being released into the wilderness for the first time.
Making the Most of Your Abilities
Certificates Menu
Fighting in the Mech feels just as good as you'd hope, especially when you start experimenting with everything it can do. You're not limited to standing in front of an enemy and hitting it until it goes down. You can grab enemies with the grappling hook and throw them around, unlock new weapons, and craft equipment from blueprints. There's plenty here to try depending on the situation and enemy, like using explosive barrels to deal with swarms of mobs or a wrench that strips boss armour.
Outside the Mech, combat is simpler but also more dangerous. You'll need to rely on Bolt's own abilities and trusty Hammer to defeat your foes. Overall, the two forms complement each other well, and switching between them gives combat a lot more variety.
As you explore Whalington, you'll start collecting various items called certificates that you can use as long as you have the required paper clips. Some let you collect currency from further away, others improve your damage when low on health, and some even affect your mobility options. These add yet another layer of gameplay that encourages creativity and experimentation.
Final Thoughts
Bolt of Whalington Main Menu
Bolt of Whalington has been a joy to explore so far. Between the freedom to experiment with the mech, the secrets tucked away throughout Whalington, and the narrator's cheeky remarks, there's always a reason to see what lies around the next corner.
That same creativity makes Bolt of Whalington stand out, even when its inspirations are easy to spot. From Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle to Team Cherry's Hollow Knight, the influences are clear, but this is more than just a clone or another forgettable metroidvania. Orca Studio's creation is a love letter to the genre and a testament to what developers can achieve when they put passion into their work.
The demo launches on Steam on November 5, 2026, and I can't wait to get back to Whalington and see what other secrets and mech shenanigans Orca Studio has hidden away.
