Gunbrella
A gruff woodsman seeks revenge with a gun-umbrella.
Gunbrella, a 2023 action-adventure title, was created by the American indie developer Doinksoft and released through Devolver Digital. Its story centers on a hardened woodsman seeking vengeance, who wields the titular Gunbrella—a weapon that functions as both a firearm and an umbrella. The gameplay merges shooter and platformer elements, with the umbrella serving as the core tool for combat, defense, and navigation.
In the game, players control a mysterious protagonist who uses the Gunbrella to fire projectiles, block incoming damage, and traverse environments like ziplines. The side-scrolling levels mix platforming with shooting, as the hero investigates the weapon’s origin by interrogating cops, cultists, and ghouls. Scrap and spare parts collected along the way can be used to upgrade the Gunbrella and replenish ammunition.
The plot unfolds in a dystopian steampunk setting. The woodsman, driven to learn about the Gunbrella’s origins, heads toward a major city but gets stranded in a town under siege by a rebel group. With train services halted by blockades, he explores the town’s secrets and its inhabitants, all while uncovering the weapon’s mysterious past.
Doinksoft, an Oregon-based independent studio, developed Gunbrella. The studio previously created Demon Throttle, Gato Roboto, and Devolver Bootleg, all published by Devolver Digital. The game was first revealed during the Nintendo Indie Showcase in May 2022, and it launched for Windows and Nintendo Switch on September 13, 2023.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Gunbrella
- Developer
- Doinksoft
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital
- Platforms
- Windows · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- September 13, 2023
- Genre
- Action-adventure, platform
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in a dystopian steampunk world, Gunbrella casts players as a gruff woodsman investigating the origins of the Gunbrella. The weapon bears a special insignia but no other identifying symbols. The protagonist heads to the nearest major city for answers but instead finds himself in a local town besieged by a rebel group. Blockades have halted train services, trapping the woodsman in the town. Unable to leave, he begins to explore the town's secrets and its people as he uncovers the mystifying origins of the Gunbrella.
The Gunbrella has three primary functions: shooting projectiles, blocking damage, and traversing ziplines and other terrains. The game blends side-scrolling platforming with shooter mechanics. Players navigate a series of levels, investigating the weapon's origin while encountering and interrogating cops, cultists, ghouls, and more. Resources such as scrap and spare parts can be acquired for upgrades and ammunition throughout the journey.
Gunbrella was announced at the Nintendo Indie Showcase in May 2022 and released on September 13, 2023. Doinksoft, based in Oregon, also developed Demon Throttle, Gato Roboto, and Devolver Bootleg, all published by Devolver Digital.
Reader's Guide
Gunbrella represents a distinctive entry in the 2020s adventure game landscape, notable for its central mechanic of a firearm that also functions as an umbrella. This dual-purpose tool serves as the primary weapon for shooting projectiles, a shield for blocking damage, and a traversal device for ziplines and other terrain. The game's side-scrolling platformer structure, combined with shooter elements, creates a hybrid gameplay experience. Its dystopian steampunk setting and narrative of a gruff woodsman trapped in a besieged town while investigating the weapon's origins provide a focused story framework. The game's release on Windows and Nintendo Switch in September 2023, following its announcement at a Nintendo Indie Showcase, positioned it within the indie game ecosystem. Doinksoft's prior titles—Demon Throttle, Gato Roboto, and Devolver Bootleg—established the studio's reputation for quirky, mechanically inventive games, with Gunbrella continuing that trend. The game's emphasis on resource gathering (scrap and spare parts for upgrades and ammunition) and interrogation of various characters (cops, cultists, ghouls) adds depth to its action-adventure foundation.
Did You Know?
- The game was released on September 13, 2023, for Windows and Nintendo Switch.
- Doinksoft, the developer, is based in Oregon and also created Demon Throttle, Gato Roboto, and Devolver Bootleg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gunbrella?
Gunbrella is a 2023 side-scrolling action-adventure title that blends shooting and platforming mechanics. It was developed by the American indie studio Doinksoft and published by Devolver Digital.
Who made Gunbrella and when did it come out?
The game was created by Doinksoft, a small American indie studio, and brought to market through Devolver Digital. It launched on September 13, 2023.
What can the Gunbrella weapon actually do in gameplay?
The titular weapon serves triple duty: it fires projectiles at enemies, shields the player from incoming hits, and doubles as a tool for swinging across gaps like ziplines. Essentially, one umbrella-gun handles all combat, defense, and traversal in the game.
What platforms is Gunbrella available on?
As of its 2023 release, the game is available on Windows PC and Nintendo Switch.
Who do you play as in Gunbrella?
You control a tough, gruff woodsman on a personal revenge quest. His entire arsenal comes down to the Gunbrella, which he uses to fight, defend himself, and navigate the side-scrolling levels.
More in Adventure Games of the 2020s, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced