Info about La-Mulana:

Official game description:
  
LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization. Unfortunately, priceless artifacts very rarely give themselves up easily.  
Apart from the plethora of traps lying in wait, there are also monsters on the prowl, protecting the ruins. Head for the innermost depths of the ruins while solving a variety of mysteries, fending off monsters, and disarming traps. Forging ahead will be no simple task – the further into the depths you reach, the more difficult the mysteries become. The guardians of LA-MULANA do not take their job lightly.  
LA-MULANA on Steam is the PC port version of the acclaimed remake for WiiWare. One of the first NIGORO games, LA-MULANA was originally created back in the creators’ “amateur” days and has been renown worldwide.  
This game was created based on “that old-time feeling.” The creators wished to play the sort of games that enthralled them back in the day, only with more volume. The operability and difficulty level are certainly not “new school”. However, this game is highly recommended to gamers seeking out that feeling of total immersion that allows you to go full-on head-to-head with a game not found in somewhat lighter terms.  
Coming up on it's ninth birthday, LA-MULANA continues to captivate, frustrate and annihilate new and old players alike. Whether it's your first time falling into the ruins or your 900th of getting decimated by Mushussu, we thank you for donning your explorer's hat, hoisting the whip and diving into our game.  
Good luck. You're going to need it.

Release date: Apr 15, 2013

Categories: Metroidvania, Puzzle Solving, Exploration, Platformer, Action-Adventure, Non-linear Progression, Precision Platforming, Environmental Puzzle Solving

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Significant Improvement; summary: The game presents significant challenges related to complex mechanics, hidden secrets, and quest outcomes. Players frequently rely on external guides and extensive note-taking to progress, indicating that the game's design is not user-friendly for those who prefer to play without external assistance.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the game's controls, which are described as intentionally difficult and hard to get used to. These controller issues are a major source of friction for users, impacting the overall gaming experience negatively.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews indicate that users find the game worth its price, even at full price. The phrase 'worth every penny' suggests that the game provides good value for money, and 'worth full price' implies that the current base price is considered fair by the community. These statements support a price range that aligns closely with the current base game price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.5h
  - Story completion: 25.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 70.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct references to playtime metrics. The first quote mentions a playtime of over 70 hours for a complete playthrough, including endgame content. The second quote suggests a total playtime of around 180 hours, which likely includes extensive exploration and multiple sessions. The third quote provides specific playtimes of 25.5 and 30.5 hours for different playthroughs, which can be indicative of story completion and game completion times. The fourth quote emphasizes the game's length, supporting the idea of extensive playtime required for full completion.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is initially fun and engaging but becomes tedious over time due to its steep learning curve and hidden mechanics, leading to a decline in enjoyment after several hours of gameplay.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: When everything 'clicks into place'
  - Time to anchor: 20h 0m
  - Friction: steep learning curve; tedious nature of finding hidden items; precarious platforms and environmental hazards
  - Unlock drivers: 'AHA' moments when puzzles are solved correctly; understanding the backstory
  - Conditions: accepting the steep learning curve; using the manual to understand the game; playing with a friend's recommendation; taking time to look around carefully
- Player Archetypes:
  - Frustrated Novice (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking enjoyable and less frustrating gaming experiences.
    - Playstyle: Prefers games with clear guidance and easier mechanics.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: casual gamer; newcomer
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Metroidvanias
  - Hardcore Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys overcoming difficult challenges and solving complex puzzles.
    - Playstyle: Methodical and patient, enjoys taking notes and exploring thoroughly.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore gamer; explorer
    - Reference games: Legend of Zelda; Ghosts 'n Goblins; Castlevania
  - Resourceful Strategist (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the game but seeks to mitigate frustration through external resources.
    - Playstyle: Uses guides and community resources to navigate the game's challenges.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: strategist; resourceful gamer
    - Reference games: Metroidvanias; Legend of Zelda


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Challenging puzzles (weight 0.38): The game features hard and diverse puzzles that are challenging but not illogical, providing a rewarding experience when overcome.
- Exploration and discovery (weight 0.21): The game encourages exploration and discovery, offering a sense of pure exploration and rewarding players with surprising discoveries and secrets.
- Unique experience (weight 0.18): The game offers a unique and immersive adventure with unique level design, locations, and a intriguing story.
- Challenging boss fights (weight 0.16): The game includes challenging and memorable boss battles that are difficult but offer a good challenge.
- Excellent visuals (weight 0.15): The game features excellent and wonderful visual presentation, graphics, and artwork.
- Excellent soundtrack (weight 0.15): The game features an incredible and excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Fun and enjoyable (weight 0.11): The game is described as fun to play, with enjoyable and rewarding gameplay.
- Highly rated game (weight 0.09): Many players consider this one of the best games they have played, praising it as a unique and favorite experience.
- Great platforming and combat (weight 0.09): The game combines great platforming and combat, offering a mix of heavy platforming, exploration, and amazing action.
- Complex Metroidvania (weight 0.07): The game is described as a complex and challenging Metroidvania, embodying the genre with depth and difficulty.
- Encourages note-taking (weight 0.07): The game encourages note-taking and exploration, requiring strategic thinking and experimentation.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles are overly cryptic (weight 0.56): Many players find the puzzles to be too obscure and difficult to solve without external guides. The hints provided are often unclear or misleading, leading to frustration.
- Frustrating gameplay mechanics (weight 0.24): The gameplay, including platforming and controls, is often described as awkward and difficult. Players find the mechanics to be janky and unforgiving, leading to a frustrating experience.
- Game design is hostile (weight 0.18): The game is seen as hostile and abusive towards the player. The design often confuses difficulty with frustration, making it feel punishing and unfair.
- Poor level and jump mechanics (weight 0.14): The level design and jump mechanics are frequently criticized as poorly designed and unintuitive. Players find these aspects to be frustrating and difficult to navigate.
- Excessive backtracking required (weight 0.08): The game requires a lot of backtracking, which can be time-consuming and discouraging. Players find this aspect to be particularly frustrating.
- Limited and infrequent save points (weight 0.06): The game features manual saving at fixed points, which are often infrequent. This can lead to frustration and a feeling of progress being lost.
- Lack of useful map (weight 0.06): The game lacks a helpful map, providing very little direction. This can make navigation difficult and add to the overall frustration.
- Game is disrespectful of player's time (weight 0.06): The game is seen as disrespectful of the player's time and abilities. Players feel that the game does not value their time or effort.

Gameplay feedback:
- Complex and cryptic puzzles (weight 0.44): The game features a variety of puzzles that are often difficult and cryptic, requiring players to use recorded knowledge and logical thinking. These puzzles are a major component of the gameplay and can be quite challenging to solve.
- Exploration and discovery (weight 0.3): The game encourages extensive exploration and discovery of hidden areas, often involving backtracking and understanding the game's geography and history. This non-linear and open-ended exploration is key to progression.
- Metroidvania-style gameplay (weight 0.21): The game combines elements of Metroidvania-style gameplay with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving. It features a map with secrets and challenging puzzles, along with platforming and combat mechanics.
- Note-taking and guides (weight 0.18): Players often need to take notes and refer to guides to solve the complex puzzles and progress through the game. This adds an additional layer of challenge and engagement.
- Retro-style graphics (weight 0.05): The game features a retro-style pixel art design, which adds to its nostalgic and classic feel. This visual style complements the game's challenging and exploration-focused gameplay.
- Non-linear progression (weight 0.05): The game features a non-linear progression system that allows players to explore different regions and areas at their own pace. This adds to the game's open-ended and exploratory nature.
- Unique level design (weight 0.04): The game includes unique and non-Euclidean level design elements that challenge players' perceptions and add to the complexity of exploration and puzzle-solving.
- Fetch quests and item collection (weight 0.04): The game involves fetch quests and item collection as part of its gameplay mechanics. Players need to collect items and solve puzzles to progress.

Performance notes:
- Poor control mechanics (weight 0.07): Players report that the controls are difficult to use, making movement and actions like exiting water and lava challenging.
- Stable game performance (weight 0.03): The game runs smoothly without significant performance issues.

Recommendations:
- Challenging and immersive gameplay (weight 0.27): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy challenging and immersive puzzle games. It offers a unique experience that combines deep lore, exploration, and retro-style mechanics.
- Read the manual (weight 0.06): Reading the manual, whether online or the one included with the game, is recommended to fully understand the game mechanics and enjoy the experience.
- Play sequel and DLC (weight 0.05): Players are recommended to try the sequel and DLC for an extended and enhanced gaming experience.
- Unique and intriguing design (weight 0.05): Despite some flaws, the game is recommended for its unique and intriguing design, which appeals to players looking for something different.
- Play with friends (weight 0.04): Playing with friends is recommended for better information sharing and a more enjoyable experience, especially when facing challenging puzzles.
- Not recommended for some (weight 0.04): The game is not recommended for those who prefer solvable puzzles or find the design and execution flawed.
- Use special means for controls (weight 0.04): Players struggling with controls are advised to use special means, such as cheat engines, to enjoy the game fully.
- Recommended for specific genres (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for fans of specific genres like puzzle games and Metroidvanias, offering a unique blend of challenges and exploration.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.41): The primary causes of frustration stem from the game's high difficulty and obscure puzzle design. Players frequently mention poor controls, unfair gameplay mechanics, and time-consuming aspects such as excessive backtracking and grinding. The lack of clear guidance and the need to use external guides also contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied when they overcome the game's challenges and solve its puzzles. The sense of accomplishment from completing the game, understanding the lore, and progressing through difficult sections without guides adds to this satisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.09): Joy in the game comes from exploration, discovering secrets, and the unique atmosphere created by the game's music and diverse maps. Players also find joy in the game's unique taste, humor, and the rewarding gameplay experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is generated by the game's challenging puzzles, exploration, and the 'Eureka' moments when players solve complex puzzles. The thrill of finding secrets, powerful weapons, and progressing further in the game also contributes to this excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment arises from the game's confusing difficulty with frustration, poor controls, and lack of clear clues. Players also feel disappointed by the need to frequently use guides, which detracts from the gaming experience, and the lack of challenging combat.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's high-quality retro-style gameplay, challenging puzzles, and rewarding sense of achievement. The beautiful theme, soundtrack, and level design also contribute to the players' enthusiasm.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Enjoyment comes from the overall positive experience with the game, despite its difficulties. Players appreciate the unique mechanics, challenging gameplay, and the fun exploration and platforming elements.
- Challenge (weight 0.03): The game is seen as challenging due to its difficult and complex puzzles, high learning curve, and hardcore gameplay. Players seeking a challenging and immersive experience are drawn to these aspects.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's retro-inspired graphics and music, reminding players of classic games from their past. The rich content and retro-style difficulty also contribute to this feeling.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement is driven by the game's unique and challenging gameplay, exploration, and adventure elements. The immersive and consuming nature of the game keeps players engaged.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game's unique puzzle design, excellent visual presentation, and incredible soundtrack. The sense of discovery and the community support with guides also contribute to this admiration.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's quality, challenge, and uniqueness. The mix of platforming and exploration elements adds to this excitement.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from the humorous tone in the reviews and the unique, challenging gameplay. The developers' ill will and glee also add a layer of amusement for some players.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by unfair mechanics, frequent deaths, and unrewarding boss fights and puzzles. The game's difficulty and lack of clear guidance contribute to this frustration and anger.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Awe is inspired by the game's intricate and powerful story, as well as its unique and intriguing narrative. The detailed game design and deep lore also contribute to this sense of awe.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players feel frustrated due to the game's difficulty and the non-intuitive nature of the puzzles. The complexity and lack of clear guidance add to this frustration.
- Respect (weight 0): Respect is garnered from the game's high difficulty and the dedicated fanbase that enjoys and overcomes its challenges.
- Surprise (weight 0): Surprise comes from the unexpected complexity of the puzzles, which can be both challenging and intriguing for players.
- Appreciation (weight 0): Appreciation is felt for the game's faithful recreation of classic elements and its non-linear gameplay, which offers a unique and engaging experience.}