La-Mulana 2

La-Mulana 2 is a side-scrolling adventure game about Lumisa Kosugi, daughter of the previous game’s protagonist, solving puzzles inside the ruins of Eg-Lana to stop a monster rampage. Players use a whip along with various other platforming and combat items in order to progress deeper into the ruins. While more balanced than the original La-Mulana, this sequel is still a difficult game that places an emphasis on exploration and experimentation, with its metroidvania-style map opening up various paths.

With Lemeza Kosugi laying low after the events of the previous game, it is up to his daughter Lumisa to explore the monster-infested labyrinth of Eg-Lana. Each gameplay loop has you choosing a path into an area within the ruins, fighting enemies, and uncovering secrets in order to progress further. La-Mulana 2 features no missable items and plenty of checkpoints, making it somewhat less taxing than the original game.

While the game features a unique ending, it plays in a non-linear and mostly unguided way, in the vein of other puzzle adventures like Animal Well and Tunic. Observe, step on platforms, hit things, and move the player character to every corner of the map in order to discover new items and paths that in turn open up more options for exploration. You will also find research papers, left behind by Lemeza and his own father, that reveal the mythical story behind Eg-Lana and the monsters birthed in the ruins.

Inspired by the popularity of the first game, Nigoro and Playism ran a successful crowdfunding campaign for La-Mulana 2, with the same driving idea of mixing modern metroidvania sensibilities with retro visuals and opaque puzzles. Movement was made easier than in the original game, and the puzzles are slightly less cryptic, but you should still be prepared for a challenging experience.

This description was written by Hira.