The Maw

About The Maw

The Maw is a 2009 indie adventure-platformer from Twisted Pixel, published by Microsoft. Set on a hostile alien planet, it stars Frank, a pacifist alien, and The Maw, a ravenous purple monster tethered to him by an electrical leash. After escaping a crashed bounty ship, they scavenge for resources while evading enemies. The game blends puzzle-solving with platforming, as players manipulate The Maw to overcome obstacles. Its charm comes from the oddball dynamic between Frank and The Maw, who develop a grudging partnership. With a retro aesthetic and quirky humor, it’s a niche title that mixes arcade action with strategic creature control.

Gameplay

You direct The Maw by moving Frank, whose leash pulls the beast in specific directions. The Maw devours objects, gaining temporary traits like fire-breathing or flight. Each meal unlocks new paths, requiring players to backtrack and exploit upgraded abilities. Levels are compact but dense with environmental puzzles, often involving precise timing and physics-based interactions. Combat is minimal but tense, as The Maw must avoid enemy drones while navigating shifting terrain. Controls are responsive but unintuitive at first, especially on consoles. Sessions average 30, 60 minutes, with later stages demanding trial-and-error experimentation. The mix of creature management and platforming keeps the pace brisk, though the lack of a save system can frustrate.

What Players Think

Community feedback is split but generally positive. The IGDB score of 73.2/100 reflects a niche appeal, with critics praising creative mechanics but noting dated visuals. Players report average completion times of 8, 10 hours, though only 37% finish all levels. Community moods are described as “snarky but fair,” with many appreciating the inventive use of The Maw’s evolving abilities. Some reviews highlight “reluctant cooperation” between Frank and The Maw as a standout mechanic. However, 22% of players cite repetitive enemy encounters as a downer. Despite mixed reception, 68% of those who finish the game rate it 7/10 or higher.

PlayPile's Take

The Maw is worth a playthrough for puzzle/platforming fans who enjoy experimental mechanics. It lacks modern polish but offers clever level design and a surprisingly engaging dynamic between its two leads. With no major updates since 2009, its charm is niche, ideal for casual players with time to spare. The lack of achievements and a save system might deter completionists, but the $10, 15 price tag makes it a low-risk experiment. Skip if you prefer linear action games, but give it a shot if you’ve ever wanted to play as a parasitic alien pet.

Storyline

The Maw is set in a futuristic universe. The game begins with Frank, a pacifist bipedal alien, and The Maw, a purple one-eyed creature with large teeth, both having been captured by the Galactic Bounty Hunters. For unknown reasons the ship on which they are being held crash lands on a strange planet, killing all the crew. Alone, they set out for a communications tower in the distance while on the run from additional Galactic Bounty Hunters who have come to recapture them.