Metamorphosis, the Kafka-inspired game about being a bug, is out now

Sometimes I wonder if the bug's life is ideal. Your only real concern is sustenance, and avoiding being crushed underfoot. Of course, Kafka's Gregor Samsa didn't get off that lightly: becoming a bug after first being a man would definitely not be fun, especially if you've got a family to support. The ye olde point and click adventure Bad Mojo didn't make the bug's life seem like much fun either. Still, I kinda wouldn't mind spending at least one day as a bug.

So I'm pretty excited to inhabit a bug in Metamorphosis, which releases today. The game is inspired by Kafka's classic short story of the same name, but I don't think you should expect a blow-by-blow account of it. Indeed, the game seems to be a tribute to Kafka's broader oeuvre: there are hints of The Trial and The Castle in the above launch trailer.  

The trailer definitely feels more Tim Burton than Kafka, but it also looks really fun. It's a mix of first-person puzzling and platforming, and it currently has a 10 percent discount on Steam to celebrate launch.

Shaun Prescott

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.