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La-Mulana EX uncovers Western Vita release this year
Nigoro's puzzle-platforming adventure game La-Mulana is headed to the PlayStation Vita in North America and Europe later this year with exclusive features and bonus content, publisher Rising Star Games announced today. Originally released as freeware in 2005, La-Mulana later saw a revamped and expanded commercial release for WiiWare and PC platforms. A localized version launched for Steam via Greenlight last year, and a Kickstarter-funded sequel is currently in production after earning more than $260,000 in backer pledges. The upcoming Vita port, La-Mulana EX, is developed by Japanese team Pygmy Studios, and is due to launch by the end of 2014. Rising Star notes that La-Mulana EX's Vita-exclusive features and a release date will be announced soon. [Image: Nigoro]
La-Mulana sequel funded with five days to go [update: demo!]
Update: You can now download a free demo of La-Mulana 2, based on what was shown behind closed doors at last year's Tokyo Game Show. Head to Playism's site to check it out. Like any half-decent adventuring archaeologist, La-Mulana 2 left it to the last minute to whip past its $200,000 Kickstarter goal. That means Nigoro's platforming sequel, starring new protagonist Lumisa Kosugi, is definitely coming to PC. Although it may take its time to get there, with its estimated delivery listed on Kickstarter as "December 2015." With five days on the funding clock, Nigoro and publishing partner Playism will now look towards stretch goals. Even though Mac & Linux ports are down from $500,000 to $400,000, they and console ports further up the list look unrealistic. Instead, a retrospective Father's Diary mode at $230,000, and a monster guide at $260,000 are much more attainable. [Image: Playism]
La-Mulana 2 ventures onto Kickstarter, $200K funding goal
La-Mulana 2 is seeking $200,000 in Kickstarter funding to be made for Windows PC, a turn of events as unexpected as one of the spelunking plaformer's traps. Publisher Playism and developer Nigoro first announced the sequel to the WiiWare and PC game at last year's Tokyo Game Show, and now the two studios have a month to raise $200,000 and greenlight the game. Going by the this morning's rapid funding, they won't need the time. As for what we know about La-Mulana 2, it stars a new hero in Lumisa Kosugi, the possibly illegitimate daughter of the first game's protagonist. If her legitimacy is in question, the sequel's gameplay doesn't look to be. As we saw at TGS, players will once again scavenge for clues in the 2D caves and tombs of La-Mulana 2, and carefully dissect the riddles they find there to avoid falling victim to the many lurking deathtraps. For those willing to stump up the cash for La-Mulana 2, a $15 pledge earns you a Steam and DRM-free copy of the game upon release. With funding accumulating quickly, Playism and Nigoro will already be looking to the stretch goals they've outlined: Highlights include Mac and Linux versions at $500K, a 3DS or Vita version at $1.15 million, Wii U, PS4, or Xbox One versions at $1.65 million, and Wii, PS3, or Xbox 360 versions all the way up at $2.35 million. The stretch goal platforms are "subject to negotiation," indicating Playism and Nigoro can't guarantee more than one for each stretch goal. In the campaign video, Nigoro Director Takumi Namamura said his studio wants to take original game's system and evolve it into something that can push "2D games further than they have ever been before."
La-Mulana 2 footage unearthed from the depths of TGS 2013
La-Mulana 2 has only officially existed for a day and won't be available on PC until next year at the earliest, but enough of it was assembled for Nigoro's Takumi Naramura to walk us through a quick demonstration (via interpreter) at TGS 2013. We shoved microphones in the faces of everyone involved and got the whole thing on film, so join us for a look at the Nordic, skeleton-filled hell that awaits La-Mulana 2's new heroine.
La-Mulana 2 announced for PC
La-Mulana 2 will send a new hero into unfamiliar, two-dimensional depths, Joystiq learned during yesterday's Tokyo Game Show festivities. Production is aiming for a 2014 release on PC, though whether the game will repeat the original's appearance on Steam has yet to be confirmed. The game stars the daughter of La-Mulana's protagonist, Lemeza Kosugi. While the specifics of her character are still very much in the developmental stages, the brief gameplay demonstration we were shown by Nigoro's Takumi Naramura featured a very familiar whip front and center. Less familiar was the game's setting, which is Norse themed this time around, as well as its shiny new widescreen aspect ratio. Update: We neglected to mention the original game is also available on GOG.com, not just Steam.
La-Mulana explores Steam on April 15
After making it through the Steam Greenlight gauntlet back in January, the remake of La-Mulana is finally ready to launch through Steam on April 15. The punishing cave-em-up – not to be confused with that other one – will set wannabe adventurers back $15, but if you pre-order through Steam they can knock 10 percent off that price.The Steam version of La-Mulana is based on the WiiWare remake, which took an inordinate amount of time to make its way onto Nintendo's digital distribution service, even being totally scrapped at one point. The Steam version also includes the WiiWare version DLC "Hell Temple" and supports USB game pads, including Xbox 360 controllers.%Gallery-183618%
La-Mulana returns to PC, now available through Playism
Have you suddenly developed a taste for cave-based, retro-inspired, super-difficult platformers after playing Spelunky? Good news!The remake of La-Mulana, despite not making it to WiiWare, is available on PC through the new game distribution service Playism, which features primarily localized Japanese games. Developer Nigoro celebrated this new release with an overview trailer – featuring dance. To celebrate the start of the service, Playism is randomly giving away t-shirts, La-Mulana music, and a signed replica of the notebook from the game.Speaking of that WiiWare version, it hasn't worked out so far, but Nigoro believes "there is a possibility to release WiiWare version." It won't have the planned DLC, and it's not a sure thing, but it may still happen.
La-Mulana trailer is a good use of six minutes
If you haven't been following La-Mulana, Nicalis and Nigoro's WiiWare update of the indie PC classic, the lengthy video after the break should do an excellent job of catching you up. And, in our opinion, it's worth the time to get caught up. We could always use a new platforming adventure.
La-Mulana on WiiWare trades equippable retrogames for apps
Developer Nigoro checked in via its blog to let the world know that work continues on the WiiWare remake of the PC action-adventure La-Mulana. The latest update gives us a look at ... the menu interface! It's more interesting than it sounds. The developer showed off the new version of the item menu, containing a rather exciting (to Metroidvania lovers) number of in-game items. The MSX menu, which in the original game allowed you to "equip" real MSX games for status boosts, has been replaced with a "software" menu that allows you to equip EXE files to do the same thing. This changes the gameplay by allowing you to equip as much software as your RAM limit permits, instead of a hard limit of two "cartridges." In addition, Nigoro revealed that the game will support control schemes for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, GameCube controller, and Classic Controller.
New La-Mulana video artifact uncovered
What, are you still playing Cave Story? That's old news. With that now out on the Wii Shop Channel, it's time to turn your attention to the next Japanese indie PC game about exploring mysterious caves to be published on the Wii by Nicalis (phew) -- Nigoro's La-Mulana. The developer released a new video of the in-development remake, along with a statement of intent to use the game's development blog as a sort of manual or strategy guide, with Nigoro posting "archaeology lectures" that introduce the world and help you figure out the puzzles. Check out the trailer after the break.
Interview: Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez on Cave Story, La-Mulana, and more
Nicalis, the developer of the anticipated Wii remake of the indie hit Cave Story, briefly noted in a Christmas Eve blog post that the WiiWare game had been delayed into 2010. It seemed like a good time to check in with Tyrone Rodriguez, head of Nicalis and producer on the title. Rodriguez spoke to us a bit about the progress of the remake, as well as Nicalis's other projects, Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren's physics-based platformer NightSky and another WiiWare remake of a retro-style cave exploration platformer, La-Mulana.
Discover the first screens, trailer for La-Mulana
Nicalis and Nigoro officially announced the WiiWare release of La-Mulana today, launching a teaser site for the Wii remake of the 8-bit styled "Action Archaeological Ruins Exploration" game. Nicalis estimates that the game will be completed around November of this year for a "late 2009" release. We'll be able to roll right from Cave Story (presumably) into another indie platformer remake!After the break you'll find the trailer, which shows off the lush visual upgrade La-Mulana is receiving for this release. While we weren't pleased about losing the obvious MSX influence from the original, the new game looks really nice. The real draw, for us, is the music. It's so '80s-anime![Via GoNintendo]
Indie platformer La-Mulana heading to WiiWare via Nicalis
Yesterday, Nicalis, developer of the WiiWare Cave Story remake and Night Game, announced a deal with Japanese indie developer Nigoro to co-develop and publish games in the US and Europe. The announcement stated that the companies would collaborate on "an upcoming title that is currently slated for release in winter of 2009."Nintendo Power went ahead and revealed that the game in question is a remake of La-Mulana, a freeware Metroidvania type game designed in the style of 8-bit MSX games. If you haven't played it, check it out! The new version will have more of a 16-bit look, which is probably a good idea for a market that didn't have the MSX. And yes, it does give us the tiniest bit of concern that Nicalis is working on something else before we have Cave Story. Only a bit.
