Welcome back, explorers, to the birthplace of humankind. Take care that it does not also become your grave.
Genre: Metroidvania puzzle platformer (less Super Metroid, more Maze of Galious)
Release Date: July 30th @ 10am PST/July 31st @ 2am JST
Developer: NIGORO
Publisher: Playism
Platform: PC (console releases will most likely come in the future)
Website: https://la-mulana.com
Places to buy:
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/835430/LaMulana_2/
GOG: https://www.gog.com/game/la_mulana_2
Playism: http://playism-games.com/game/348/la-mulana-2
Humble: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/lamulana-2
Reviews:
Destructoid preview (mild spoilers): https://www.destructoid.com/review-in-progress-la-mulana-2-514735.phtml
Release trailer
(Warning! There are boss and area spoilers in this trailer. I recommend newcomers watch it but people who are sure they are gonna play should probably skip it!)
What is La-Mulana?
La-Mulana is a cult-classic metroidvania series that is as beloved as it is feared. In broad strokes, the game is an Indiana Jones-inspired ruins exploration game with old school gameplay. It is an adventure like no other game. It began as an MSX-homage freeware game over a decade ago, and was later remade and released on WiiWare, PC, and Vita. Put another way, La-Mulana is a brutally difficult archaeology-themed puzzle platforming metroidvania exploration series. "Metroidvania" is a bit of a misnomer here, because while the games share some similarities to Super Metroid or Symphony of the Night, they are more directly inspired by the classic MSX title, Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious. La-Mulana borrows both its focus on exploration and its unusual jumping system from Maze of Galious, which features inflexible upward movement but free-moving downward movement. La-Mulana's trademark features are its arcane and cryptic puzzles combined with its tight and challenging platforming and combat. Getting stumped is a frequent occurrence, and frequent backtracking is absolutely necessary. LM requires you to learn its many areas like the back of your hand in order to succeed. In order to progress you all but need to take notes on conspicuous rooms and cryptic hints written on tablets scattered throughout the many areas of the game. Each area of the game is modeled after a different real-world civilization and features architecture, enemies, and lore that draw from their respective cultures. In true metroidvania fashion, over the course of the game you will uncover all manner of weapons, subweapons, new abilities, apps for your cutting edge MSX, and key items that are essential to solving puzzles, beating enemies, and progressing through the game. However, the most important tool to your survival will be your wits and your reflexes.
What's new in La-Mulana 2?
Let me first give some story background on La-Mulana 1 in order to answer this question. In the first game, you play asIndiana Jones Lemeza Kosugi, a brilliant Japanese-American archaeologist who is constantly one-upped by his even more brilliant archaeologist father, Shawn Kosugi. One day, Lemeza receives a letter stating that his father has discovered the legendary ruins of La-Mulana, rumored to be the birthplace of civilization, and Lemeza immediately sets off after him. Over the course of the game, Lemeza uncovers the secrets of the ruins, and in the interim between the two games, one of the main NPCs turns the ruins into a tourist trap in order to cash in on the attention Lemeza's pursuits draw to the ruins. In La-Mulana 2, you explore the neighboring ruins of Eg-Lana, which are just as mysterious and perhaps even more dangerous than the ruins of La-Mulana. Furthermore, this time you play as Lemeza's daughter, Lumisa Kosugi. The devs have stated that LM2 is going to be a deeply challenging game just like the previous game. According to the livestream event on July 28th, La-Mulana 2 will still be open-ended and challenging but slightly more modernized. Combat might be a bit easier than in the first game, but the puzzles will still be hellish -- perhaps even moreso than the first game! This time, the bosses scale to your progress, so you can't just leave them be until you're farther in the game in order to make them easier to beat as you could with some bosses in the first game.
Also, La-Mulana 2 runs on Unity unlike La-Mulana 1, and thus features many 3D assets which give the game a familiar but slightly more advanced look. La-Mulana 2 also features beautifully detailed in-game NPC portraits for the first time.
The devs have also stated that LM2 will be something of a live document much as La-Mulana 1 was during the first few years of its release, so expect things to change around during the game's release and beyond. The devs have further stated that NPCs will react to the events that happen in the game as you progress through the ruins, and so you should frequently revisit your friends in and out of the ruins if you want to learn more about them and the world.
Do I need to play La-Mulana 1 first?
NIGORO have stressed that LM2 was playtested by people who were both intimately familiar with the original and also complete newcomers. They expect many new players to hop on with LM2, and so I expect it to be fairly accessible to new players. That said, LM1 is a brilliant game and a masterclass in stage and world design. LM1 is absolutely worth playing if you like the sound of old-school challenging combat and exploration married with obscure and arcane puzzles. Few metroidvanias have ever come close to the sprawling, intimidating world of La-Mulana, and the sense of discovery and accomplishment when you beat a tough boss or solve a puzzle that stumped you for days is unlike anything else. We all hope that LM2 reaches these same heights. Furthermore, the story does pick up right where LM1 left off, so I imagine that you'll get more out of LM2 if you've played LM1. If you do decide to start with LM2 and enjoy it, then definitely go back and play LM1. And if you like LM1, you should also check out the original freeware version, which manages to be even more difficult and has its own unique features missing from the excellent remake.
What are the puzzles like?
The puzzles in La-Mulana are quite varied. Some are kinda like those in The Witness or Fez where you will eventually have this insane revelation that the whole world works in some fundamental way that solves a problem, or maybe you have to interpret some background or environmental cues and objects that hint at puzzles. There are synthesis puzzles that require you to piece together lots of information from different places, apply some intuitive reasoning, and come up with a solution to a puzzle. There are also the more typical metroidvania "puzzles" that just involve seeing a route that clearly requires a new ability and then remembering to come back when you get the new ability, but those scenarios are kinda few and far between in La-Mulana -- half the time you get a new item and don't know what the hell to do with it! And other times the puzzles are more Zelda-like where it's just a matter of interpreting riddles and cryptic NPC hints, exploring and placing weights on dais (essentially replacing the lock and key system lots of puzzle-y games use), and figuring out how the different pieces of each area interact with each other. If you have played Maze of Galious (if you haven't, you really should -- NIGORO actually worked on a PC remake!), you'll have an idea of what to expect in La-Mulana, which just turns things up to 11.
The evolution of La-Mulana:
La-Mulana freeware:
La-Mulana remake:
La-Mulana 2:
More screenshots (spoiler warning for some areas and bosses!)
Manual
Yep, La-Mulana has these. This is the new manual for LM2. It doesn't cover anything series vets don't know, but it's worth reading for newcomers.
https://la-mulana.com/en/manual/l2/pc/index.php
Rockin' tunes
La-Mulana is also well known for its killer soundtracks. We don't have very much LM2 music yet so below I've included some tracks from the original freeware game followed by the newer version of each track from the remake of LM1, followed finally by a new song from LM2.
Fearless Challenger "MSX"
https://youtu.be/fU_ZrOjZT9c
Fearless Challenger remake
https://youtu.be/1X_sTyAIfjs
Grand History "MSX"
https://youtu.be/GTLjlUIDI_U
Grand History remake
https://youtu.be/a7UulnIcuC0
Aqua Wish from LM2 (This song was revealed like three years ago so I don't know if it's been modified since then or even if it's still in the game, but the tune is killer just the same)
https://youtu.be/fcBcaXBXnn4
Important note to backers of this game
If you are a backer of the kickstarter or a slacker backer on playism, you should have a Steam key waiting for you -- you can redeem it but not play it until it releases. If you are a slacker backer, your key should be located in the add-ons tab under your Games section on the Playism website; click "download" and then copy the "Game Serial" code into Steam. On the backer forums, NIGORO said that physical rewards will come after release with their apologies (I don't think anyone expected otherwise), while digital rewards will arrive very soon.
Further reading
On July 28th, the fine folks at NIGORO hosted a three-hour livestream to celebrate the completion of La-Mulana 2. It was all translated live and definitely worth a watch as it offers insight into NIGORO's design philosophies and also delves into the development of La-Mulana 1 and 2. Obviously there are spoilers for the whole series so be warned. Two thirds of the way into the stream is some live gameplay of the first half hour or so of LM2, so beware.
Here's a link to the original kickstarter from five(!) years ago:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/playism/la-mulana-2/description
Here's a teaser from two months ago. There are very minor spoilers including one area and one boss. Apparently I'm only allowed two embedded videos so you'll have to click this one.
https://youtu.be/hc1koMMXWaY
If you just can't get enough of NIGORO, I've got your back. First, something simple: NIGORO have some charming little browser games you can play on their website, one of which is La-Mulana themed!
http://nigoro.jp/en/games/
Now for something more complicated. If you crave more MSX-inspired goodness, it's worth your time to hunt down NIGORO's Gradius/Nemesis homage game titled GR3 from back when NIGORO went by the name GR3 Project. It's not referenced anywhere on their website and all three versions are annoyingly Java-based and require old versions of Java to run properly, but they're well worth the trouble of tracking down and setting up.
Good luck and godspeed, fellow explorers. Don't forget to pause and refuel every now and then. And don't forget to read your emails.
Please let me know if there's anything more I should add. This is my first OT and I was more or less blindsided by the release date announcement tonight, so I did the best I could to get this out quickly without sacrificing quality.
Genre: Metroidvania puzzle platformer (less Super Metroid, more Maze of Galious)
Release Date: July 30th @ 10am PST/July 31st @ 2am JST
Developer: NIGORO
Publisher: Playism
Platform: PC (console releases will most likely come in the future)
Website: https://la-mulana.com
Places to buy:
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/835430/LaMulana_2/
GOG: https://www.gog.com/game/la_mulana_2
Playism: http://playism-games.com/game/348/la-mulana-2
Humble: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/lamulana-2
Reviews:
Destructoid preview (mild spoilers): https://www.destructoid.com/review-in-progress-la-mulana-2-514735.phtml
Release trailer
(Warning! There are boss and area spoilers in this trailer. I recommend newcomers watch it but people who are sure they are gonna play should probably skip it!)
What is La-Mulana?
La-Mulana is a cult-classic metroidvania series that is as beloved as it is feared. In broad strokes, the game is an Indiana Jones-inspired ruins exploration game with old school gameplay. It is an adventure like no other game. It began as an MSX-homage freeware game over a decade ago, and was later remade and released on WiiWare, PC, and Vita. Put another way, La-Mulana is a brutally difficult archaeology-themed puzzle platforming metroidvania exploration series. "Metroidvania" is a bit of a misnomer here, because while the games share some similarities to Super Metroid or Symphony of the Night, they are more directly inspired by the classic MSX title, Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious. La-Mulana borrows both its focus on exploration and its unusual jumping system from Maze of Galious, which features inflexible upward movement but free-moving downward movement. La-Mulana's trademark features are its arcane and cryptic puzzles combined with its tight and challenging platforming and combat. Getting stumped is a frequent occurrence, and frequent backtracking is absolutely necessary. LM requires you to learn its many areas like the back of your hand in order to succeed. In order to progress you all but need to take notes on conspicuous rooms and cryptic hints written on tablets scattered throughout the many areas of the game. Each area of the game is modeled after a different real-world civilization and features architecture, enemies, and lore that draw from their respective cultures. In true metroidvania fashion, over the course of the game you will uncover all manner of weapons, subweapons, new abilities, apps for your cutting edge MSX, and key items that are essential to solving puzzles, beating enemies, and progressing through the game. However, the most important tool to your survival will be your wits and your reflexes.
What's new in La-Mulana 2?
Let me first give some story background on La-Mulana 1 in order to answer this question. In the first game, you play as
Also, La-Mulana 2 runs on Unity unlike La-Mulana 1, and thus features many 3D assets which give the game a familiar but slightly more advanced look. La-Mulana 2 also features beautifully detailed in-game NPC portraits for the first time.
The devs have also stated that LM2 will be something of a live document much as La-Mulana 1 was during the first few years of its release, so expect things to change around during the game's release and beyond. The devs have further stated that NPCs will react to the events that happen in the game as you progress through the ruins, and so you should frequently revisit your friends in and out of the ruins if you want to learn more about them and the world.
Do I need to play La-Mulana 1 first?
NIGORO have stressed that LM2 was playtested by people who were both intimately familiar with the original and also complete newcomers. They expect many new players to hop on with LM2, and so I expect it to be fairly accessible to new players. That said, LM1 is a brilliant game and a masterclass in stage and world design. LM1 is absolutely worth playing if you like the sound of old-school challenging combat and exploration married with obscure and arcane puzzles. Few metroidvanias have ever come close to the sprawling, intimidating world of La-Mulana, and the sense of discovery and accomplishment when you beat a tough boss or solve a puzzle that stumped you for days is unlike anything else. We all hope that LM2 reaches these same heights. Furthermore, the story does pick up right where LM1 left off, so I imagine that you'll get more out of LM2 if you've played LM1. If you do decide to start with LM2 and enjoy it, then definitely go back and play LM1. And if you like LM1, you should also check out the original freeware version, which manages to be even more difficult and has its own unique features missing from the excellent remake.
What are the puzzles like?
The puzzles in La-Mulana are quite varied. Some are kinda like those in The Witness or Fez where you will eventually have this insane revelation that the whole world works in some fundamental way that solves a problem, or maybe you have to interpret some background or environmental cues and objects that hint at puzzles. There are synthesis puzzles that require you to piece together lots of information from different places, apply some intuitive reasoning, and come up with a solution to a puzzle. There are also the more typical metroidvania "puzzles" that just involve seeing a route that clearly requires a new ability and then remembering to come back when you get the new ability, but those scenarios are kinda few and far between in La-Mulana -- half the time you get a new item and don't know what the hell to do with it! And other times the puzzles are more Zelda-like where it's just a matter of interpreting riddles and cryptic NPC hints, exploring and placing weights on dais (essentially replacing the lock and key system lots of puzzle-y games use), and figuring out how the different pieces of each area interact with each other. If you have played Maze of Galious (if you haven't, you really should -- NIGORO actually worked on a PC remake!), you'll have an idea of what to expect in La-Mulana, which just turns things up to 11.
The evolution of La-Mulana:
La-Mulana freeware:
La-Mulana remake:
La-Mulana 2:
More screenshots (spoiler warning for some areas and bosses!)
Manual
Yep, La-Mulana has these. This is the new manual for LM2. It doesn't cover anything series vets don't know, but it's worth reading for newcomers.
https://la-mulana.com/en/manual/l2/pc/index.php
Rockin' tunes
La-Mulana is also well known for its killer soundtracks. We don't have very much LM2 music yet so below I've included some tracks from the original freeware game followed by the newer version of each track from the remake of LM1, followed finally by a new song from LM2.
Fearless Challenger "MSX"
https://youtu.be/fU_ZrOjZT9c
Fearless Challenger remake
https://youtu.be/1X_sTyAIfjs
Grand History "MSX"
https://youtu.be/GTLjlUIDI_U
Grand History remake
https://youtu.be/a7UulnIcuC0
Aqua Wish from LM2 (This song was revealed like three years ago so I don't know if it's been modified since then or even if it's still in the game, but the tune is killer just the same)
https://youtu.be/fcBcaXBXnn4
Important note to backers of this game
If you are a backer of the kickstarter or a slacker backer on playism, you should have a Steam key waiting for you -- you can redeem it but not play it until it releases. If you are a slacker backer, your key should be located in the add-ons tab under your Games section on the Playism website; click "download" and then copy the "Game Serial" code into Steam. On the backer forums, NIGORO said that physical rewards will come after release with their apologies (I don't think anyone expected otherwise), while digital rewards will arrive very soon.
Further reading
On July 28th, the fine folks at NIGORO hosted a three-hour livestream to celebrate the completion of La-Mulana 2. It was all translated live and definitely worth a watch as it offers insight into NIGORO's design philosophies and also delves into the development of La-Mulana 1 and 2. Obviously there are spoilers for the whole series so be warned. Two thirds of the way into the stream is some live gameplay of the first half hour or so of LM2, so beware.
Here's a link to the original kickstarter from five(!) years ago:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/playism/la-mulana-2/description
Here's a teaser from two months ago. There are very minor spoilers including one area and one boss. Apparently I'm only allowed two embedded videos so you'll have to click this one.
https://youtu.be/hc1koMMXWaY
If you just can't get enough of NIGORO, I've got your back. First, something simple: NIGORO have some charming little browser games you can play on their website, one of which is La-Mulana themed!
http://nigoro.jp/en/games/
Now for something more complicated. If you crave more MSX-inspired goodness, it's worth your time to hunt down NIGORO's Gradius/Nemesis homage game titled GR3 from back when NIGORO went by the name GR3 Project. It's not referenced anywhere on their website and all three versions are annoyingly Java-based and require old versions of Java to run properly, but they're well worth the trouble of tracking down and setting up.
Good luck and godspeed, fellow explorers. Don't forget to pause and refuel every now and then. And don't forget to read your emails.
Please let me know if there's anything more I should add. This is my first OT and I was more or less blindsided by the release date announcement tonight, so I did the best I could to get this out quickly without sacrificing quality.
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