We here at NIGORO believe in the future of the 2D platformer. While 3D games have gained in popularity, we've always wondered where the future of the 2D game could take us.
La-Mulana was a sprawling action adventure game with tons of secrets, items, and difficult enemies. The original was made as a love letter to the 8-bit games we grew up with.
In 2011, we remade the first La-Mulana, remixed areas, and upgraded the graphics to match a more modern 16-bit aesthetic. At that point, La-Mulana was finished, but it's not the end. We can do more.
With your help, we can make the sequel we've always wanted to make, and play a part in helping Japan regain its position as a fundamental part of the gaming world stage.
Please, lend us your support.
La-Mulana, the ‘Archeology Adventure’ game, was originally made in 2006 as a hobby project by the members of what is now NIGORO.
The game was then remade in 2011 and released on WiiWare. It was subsequently ported to PC. Thanks to our fans, it was greenlit on Steam, making it one of the first Japanese games to successfully make it through the Steam Greenlight system.
While the game received a metascore of 87, we felt it was a shame the remake did not offer anything new to seasoned players of the original game. We heard comments from gamers saying “I wish I could develop amnesia and enjoy it for the first time all over again!” more than once. That’s why we decided it was time to revisit La-Mulana and create a new game.
In La-Mulana 2, you will take on the role of Lumisa Kosugi on a mission to find the entrance to the ruins of Eg-Lana, which is rumored to be the source of recent monster appearances. The ruins themselves are compromised of a variety of areas as well as huge boss creatures known as Guardians. Who knows what lies in wait at the end of Eg-Lana?
It's true that La-Mulana 2 is a sequel, but we want to make it enjoyable both for people returning to the series and newcomers alike. While “You don’t need to have played the prequel!” is a horribly overused cliché, we feel it’s appropriate here. We want all players to be able to play and enjoy our work.
With the sequel to La-Mulana, our aim is to create a fresh new experience for people who enjoyed the first game, while also giving newcomers a chance to enjoy the series without being forced to play La-Mulana first.
La-Mulana 2 is being developed primarily for the PC, and will have gamepad support, just like the original La-Mulana.
La-Mulana was known as a “Metroidvania” style game (a 2D action platformer with an emphasis on non-linear exploration). That said, the real core of the game is in deciphering the riddles scattered about the game, and solving the puzzles that exist as part of the ruins.
A classic experience: As with the previous game, La-Mulana 2 will not feature a tutorial or a long-winded sidekick. As a seasoned explorer, it's up to you to discover the secrets hidden within the ruins and find the truth within.
Explore on your terms: By deciphering cryptic text on the monuments scattered throughout the ruins, the player can slowly unravel the riddle of the ruins. Which part of the sprawling underground to tackle, and in what order, is up to you. Sometimes you will need to use changes in background, mysterious sounds, the strength of enemies or the sneakiness of traps to detect a change in their surroundings.
A colossal adventure: We have designed a variety of zones, and have created a mystery deep enough to encompass a gigantic cave system. This is a very large scale indie title. We predict newcomers to the series would probably clear the game in 20 to 30 hours. Because of the non-linear nature of Eg-Lana, La-Mulana 2 will have plenty of replayability.
New horrors, new weapons: Plenty of ferocious and terrifying monsters and guardians stand in your way in the depths of this new underground network. Fortunately, there will also be an arsenal of tools and weapons to help you on your journey.
Widescreen Support: The first La-Mulana was a remake of a retro-styled game that ran in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which made widescreen support impossible. For La-Mulana 2, NIGORO is developing the game's areas and rooms with a 16:9 aspect ratio in mind, making it perfect for widescreen TVs and monitors.