La-Mulana 2

“La-Mulana 2 ranks as one of the greatest metroidvanias ever made.”

“La-Mulana 2 builds on its predecessor's legacy and improves on nearly every aspect, the result being a Metroidvania-type of game with a very demanding difficulty level but also a very rewarding experience. With a visual environment that brings back memories of the 16-bit era, a marvelous soundtrack and a more detailed plot, La-Mulana 2 may not appeal to those who did not enjoy the original but anyone else will easily be all over it quickly enough.”

“I still enjoyed this game for the way it offered some youthful nostalgia. It delivers a definite challenge. But LA-MULANA 2 is cut from the same cloth and does very little that's different from the first. While that doesn't make the game bad, it does make it frustrating.”

“The original La-Mulana was a masterpiece in its own right, but we’d contend that it’s been edged out by the sequel.”

“But let me serve as a cautionary tale for those who want other things out of video games. If this game is for you, then it is absolutely incredible. Sadly, with its high difficulty and demandingly complex puzzles, it is most certainly not for me.”

“Considering La-Mulana 2 released a handful of years after the remake of the original, I was expecting it to be a huge improvement. In many ways, it definitely is, but not as much as I had hoped.”

“Naturally, this makes it a hard sell, something the pixel art does not help with, resulting in an experience that really caters to a specific demographic. You have to understand what you're getting into and your enjoyment will hinge on whether you picked correctly or not. Even with a guide, things can be rather confusing, as the presentation of the map doesn't quite make a ton of sense with the maps shown online. It's entirely possible to follow a guide or figure it out but La-Mulana 1 & 2 requires a bit more of an investment that most are likely willing to give.”

“These portings are definitely the best chance for the toughest players to enjoy these games, if they couldn't play them in the past. Not recommended to players with little patience.”

“It's overall a breathtaking game, but it's clearly not something for everyone and as I found out, it's not for the 2020 version of me. Now, introduce time travel and 2012 me is probably super into this game. But I can only confidently recommend those who want the sternest of retro-fueled gameplay challenges tackle this behemoth.”

“La-Mulana 2 is an absolutely solid sequel. Even though there are a few additions to the core gameplay loop, they don't dilute how unforgiving the game can be. The level of difficulty doesn't feel cheap, and obtuse puzzles can feel very rewarding when solved. The game is long enough to feel like you've squeezed more than enough value out of it, but it never drags on. The game has a few flaws here and there, but anyone who's looking for a tough platforming experience will be pleased with what they find in La-Mulana 2.”

“La-Mulana 2 doesn't reinvent compared to its predecessor, but it doesn't have to. The foundation left behind by the original La-Mulana is strong enough to justify a sequel that, on the whole, follows the same beats as the original. Exploration is deeply satisfying as Eg-Lana is one of the finest crafted worlds in a Metroidvania; puzzles require genuine use of critical thinking more than not; and, while the curve perhaps isn't as refined as in the original, the difficulty provides a consistent challenge from start to finish. La-Mulana 2 is more of the same, in the best way possible.”

“La-Mulana 2 is a testament to the metroidvania genre, and it simply cannot be missed.”

“Those who worked on the pixel art, on the aesthetics, or on the music, hats off to you. You did great work. I wish the game I played was of the same caliber.”

“La-Mulana 2 is a hardcore metroidvania that can crush you everytime. Try to be patient and to learn from your mistakes and you'll be rewarded: it is a masterpiece.”

“La-Mulana 2 is exactly the sequel that all fans waited for. Level design and puzzles are really astonishing, but frustration (a lot) and general confusion make La-Mulana 2 so difficult to play for the majority of players.”

“Your inner child who was willing to suffer through the hardships of NES platformers will thank you for buying this game.”

“If you are looking for a deep Metroidvania game that will challenge you with hours of gameplay, La-Mulana 2 is worth checking out. It is a faithful recreation of the classic genre while telling a fresh story. The characters within have a fun sense of humor that will keep you entertained in the midst of the action. Even though the controls are not perfect, after a few hours of play, I found them less frustrating over time.”