Publisher Active Gaming Media has announced the release date for the console ports of La-Mulana 2 in Japan.
The spelunking metroidvania gem will launch across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on June 27th in Japan. A western release for the console ports is confirmed, however a date isn’t confirmed yet.
The Japanese version comes in both digital and retail editions, with the PlayStation 4 and Switch physical editions also coming with a first-run copy. The first-run copies include the “La-Mulana Journey” original soundtrack CD, as well as the “Adventurer’s Notebook” memo book.
In case you missed it, you can find my thorough review for La-Mulana 2 here (I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!).
Here’s a rundown on the game:
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 throughout the game, and solving the puzzles that exist as part of the ruins.
- A classic experience: As with its predecessor, 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 on your own.
- Explore at your own pace: By deciphering cryptic text on the monuments scattered throughout the ruins, you will gradually unravel the mystery of the ruins. Which parts of the sprawling underground you tackle, and in what order, is up to you. Sometimes you will need to use changes in backgrounds, mysterious sounds, the strength of enemies, or the sneakiness of traps to detect subtle changes in your 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 will probably be able to 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, you will also have an arsenal of tools and weapons at your disposal to help you on your journey.
- Widescreen support: The first La-Mulana was a remake of a retro-style game that ran in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which made widescreen support impossible. For La-Mulana 2, the various maps and rooms are designed to be 16:9-compatible, making it perfect for widescreen TVs and monitors.
The question we’ve asked ourselves throughout development is: “How can we make an old-school 2D game take advantage of advancements in present-day technology?”
Key Features:
- Become an adventurer and explore sprawling ancient ruins.
- Gather hints to solve the various mysteries of the ruins.
- Dive into the action as you fight off tough enemies seeking to impede your progress.
- A detailed and beautifully dot-rendered world.
- Seven main weapons and over ten sub-weapons.
- Over 60 items of various types to help you explore the ruins.
- Over 20 apps to install on your trusty adventurer’s tablet, the “Mobile Super X3.”
- Includes reference book with over 200 monsters and other characters in the game.
La-Mulana 2 is now available for Windows PC across Steam, GOG, the Playism Store, and the Humble Store, for $24.99.
