Info about La-Mulana 2:

Official game description:
  
La-Mulana 2 features sprawling ancient ruins, mind-boggling mysteries, untold numbers of items, and terrible enemies combining to form what is possibly the perfect Metroidvania-style "archaeological ruin exploration action game".  
In La-Mulana 2, you take on the role of Lumisa Kosugi - daughter of the previous title’s hero - as she explores the ancient ruins of La-Mulana, said to be the cradle of human civilization. Desperate to find the cause of the numerous recent appearances of monsters from the ruins, Lumisa heads to the "other" La-Mulana: the ruins known as Eg-Lana.  
Explore the vast ruins comprising multiple field maps, solve mysteries and riddles using the stone tablets and messages you discover along the way, and take out huge monsters known as "Guardians" as you make your way to the deepest depths of the ruins.  
You won’t believe the awesome mystery of Eg-Lana awaiting you at the end of your journey...  
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?"  
*   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  
    Lumisa Kosugi
    -------------
    (21 years old; fourth-generation Japanese; the game's protagonist)  
    Some say she is Lemeza's wife's daughter from a previous marriage, while others believe she's Professor Shawn's illegitimate child. Either way, she is a Kosugi; that much is clear. She travels to La-Mulana to make her archaeological debut after accepting Xelpud's request to search the ruins.
    Lemeza Kosugi
    -------------
    (36 years old; the previous game's protagonist)  
    Tales of his exploits in the ruins of La-Mulana may be known worldwide, but he was also responsible for the ruins' destruction, and has gone into hiding as a result. His love of exploration has not faded, however, and he still finds time to go spelunking in secret.
    Shawn Kosugi
    ------------
    (67 years old)  
    After revealing the "Treasure of All Life" he brought back from the ruins of La-Mulana, he returned to a hermetic life once more. Although he technically retired after finishing his research on the "Cradle of All Civilization", he finds himself slowly drawn back into the world of archaeology.
    Elder Xelpud
    ------------
    (Age unknown)  
    Upon the collapse of the La-Mulana ruins, his life as a 7th Child came to an end. He's been spending his time running the "La-Mulana Ruins Tourist Spot" in hopes of finding purpose in life once again. As a result, he's become quite wealthy, and now lives a life of luxury full of beautiful women and fast cars.
    Mulbruk
    -------
    (3024 years old; looks/hopes to look about 24)  
    Since her release from the ruins, Mulbruk has been happily living aboveground, pretending to be a "normal" young woman. Using her amazing knowledge of history, she has become a treasure hunter. She's also become quite fashionable.

Release date: Jul 30, 2018

Categories: Metroidvania, Puzzle Solving, Exploration, 2D Platformer, Non-linear Progression, Environmental Puzzle Solving, Action Adventure

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: High Dependency on External Data; summary: The primary user complaints revolve around the necessity of consulting external guides and wikis to progress through the game. This dependency on external data is mainly due to the game's complex puzzles and insufficient in-game instructions. Additionally, users find the map and spatial data inadequate for navigation without external help.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $18.00 - $22.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently mention that the game is worth the money and worth picking up at its original price. This suggests that the community finds the current base game price fair and justifiable for the experience provided.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 60.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct statements about the playtime required to complete La-Mulana 2. The first quote mentions that it took around 60 hours to complete the game without a guide, indicating a typical game completion time. The second quote states that it took 120 hours to beat the game in normal mode, suggesting a longer playtime possibly due to difficulty or thorough exploration. The third quote provides a specific playtime of 71 hours to beat the game, which aligns with the other evidence. The fourth quote implies that sessions could be lengthy and physically demanding, but does not provide a specific playtime metric.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts with a gentle introduction and tutorial phase, after which it opens up and becomes more engaging and fun.
  - Stance: Fun after tutorial
  - Anchor: Completion of the tutorial areas
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: hand-holding in the early game; linear progression in the tutorial areas
  - Unlock drivers: completion of the tutorial areas; increased freedom to explore
  - Conditions: experienced players may find the tutorial phase shorter; enjoyment of puzzle-solving
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Puzzle-Solver (buy)
    - Motivation: The challenge and satisfaction of solving complex puzzles and exploring intricate game worlds.
    - Playstyle: Thorough exploration, note-taking, and collaboration with others to solve puzzles.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore gamer; puzzle enthusiast
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Castlevania; Metroid
  - Curious Newcomer (sale)
    - Motivation: The desire to experience and understand new game worlds and challenges.
    - Playstyle: Exploratory and experimental, often seeking guidance and advice from more experienced players.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: newcomer; casual gamer
    - Reference games: Dark Souls 2; La-Mulana
  - Meticulous Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: The satisfaction of completing games to the fullest extent and not missing any details.
    - Playstyle: Methodical and thorough, often involving extensive note-taking and the use of external resources like guides and wikis.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: completionist; perfectionist
    - Reference games: N/A


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 and rewarding puzzles (weight 0.35): The game features a wide array of difficult, well-designed puzzles that are both cryptic and clever. These puzzles require critical thinking and provide a rewarding experience once solved.
- Improvements over predecessor (weight 0.26): The game shows significant improvements in content, combat, and overall quality compared to the first game. Gameplay mechanics, controls, and overall polish have been enhanced.
- Excellent music and graphics (weight 0.22): The game is praised for its fantastic music and excellent pixel art style. The background music and graphics contribute significantly to the overall experience.
- Unique and inspiring experience (weight 0.21): The game offers a unique and challenging experience with a distinctive art style. The gameplay elements are creative and engaging, providing a memorable experience.
- Deep and engaging lore (weight 0.2): The game features deep and engaging lore with rich mythology and universe. The story is enticing and flows well, adding to the overall experience.
- Unique gameplay hybrid (weight 0.08): The game combines elements of Metroidvania and puzzles, creating a unique and challenging gameplay experience. This hybrid approach is well-received by players.
- Sense of accomplishment (weight 0.08): Players experience a profound sense of accomplishment due to the game's challenging nature. This feeling is rewarding and adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Enjoyable overall experience (weight 0.08): The game provides an enjoyable and pleasant overall experience. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay and the unique elements it offers.

Common complaints:
- Obscure and unfair puzzles (weight 0.51): Many puzzles are too esoteric, cryptic, or illogical, often requiring players to look up solutions online due to poor hints and translation issues.
- Poor controls and mechanics (weight 0.24): The game has poor and clunky controls, making simple actions like jumping difficult and frustrating.
- Instant death traps (weight 0.1): The game features traps that can kill the player instantly, causing them to restart from the last save and lose progress.
- Limited health restoration (weight 0.09): Health can only be restored by teleporting back to the start of the game, which can be inconvenient and require backtracking.
- Game bugs affecting progress (weight 0.09): There are occasional bugs in the game that can permanently affect progress and gameplay.
- Poor puzzle design (weight 0.08): Puzzles are considered worse than the first game, with some being overly time-consuming and annoying.
- Lack of Spanish translation (weight 0.06): The game is not available in Spanish, which may alienate Spanish-speaking players.
- Combat is dry (weight 0.06): The combat in the game is repetitive and not engaging.
- Poor boss fight designs (weight 0.06): Boss fights are poorly designed, adding to the frustration of the gameplay.
- Tedious navigation and backtracking (weight 0.06): The game involves a lot of tedious navigation and backtracking, which can be frustrating.
- Localization issues (weight 0.05): Localization issues in the game can lead to progress barriers and frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Complex puzzle-solving mechanics (weight 0.34): The game features intricate and challenging puzzles that require critical thinking and often necessitate the use of guides. These puzzles are a central aspect of the gameplay and can be enjoyable once understood.
- Metroidvania level design (weight 0.21): The game incorporates Metroidvania elements with non-linear level design and extensive exploration. Platforming and combat are key components, and the interconnected map design encourages revisiting areas.
- Exploration and discovery (weight 0.19): The game encourages extensive exploration and discovery, with a vast game world filled with secrets and hidden areas. Players must navigate complex environments and solve puzzles to uncover new paths.
- Game provides hints and guides (weight 0.17): The game offers a system of hints and guides, including NPC interactions and messages scattered throughout the world. These hints can be abstract but are essential for solving puzzles and progressing through the game.
- Difficult boss battles (weight 0.14): Boss fights in the game are notably challenging, requiring players to learn and adapt to complex patterns and mechanics. These battles are a significant test of skill and strategy.
- Intentional traps and obstacles (weight 0.13): The game includes various traps and obstacles designed to hinder exploration and challenge players. These elements are intentionally placed to increase the difficulty and require careful navigation.
- Unique gameplay elements (weight 0.12): The game incorporates unique gameplay elements and challenges, such as memory tests, NPC interactions, and the use of in-game items and abilities. These elements contribute to a distinctive and engaging experience.
- Enhanced graphics and design (weight 0.1): The game features enhanced graphics and level design, contributing to a unique aesthetic and improved visual experience. This includes retro-inspired elements and detailed environments.
- Complex map design (weight 0.08): The game features a highly interconnected and complex map design that can be both intriguing and frustrating. Players must navigate carefully and often revisit areas to progress.
- Improved soundtrack and presentation (weight 0.08): The game maintains a high standard of music and features an improved soundtrack and presentation. This enhances the overall aesthetic and immersive experience of the game.
- Game's intentional design (weight 0.08): The game's design is intentional and makes sense once understood, creating a unique and cohesive world. It does not compromise on gameplay and offers a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent bugs affecting gameplay (weight 0.13): Various bugs are reported, including those affecting gameplay, specific puzzles, and boss fights.
- Performance issues post-Guardian (weight 0.08): The game experiences performance issues, particularly after the Guardian defeat and during the final boss fight.
- Resolution and display problems (weight 0.08): Players report limited resolution options and display issues such as vertical tearing and blurry screens.
- User interface issues (weight 0.03): There are notable problems with the user interface, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Higher intensity than previous game (weight 0.03): The game is noted to be more intensive compared to its predecessor, which may affect performance on certain systems.

Recommendations:
- Challenging and intricate gameplay (weight 0.28): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy challenging and intricate games, including those who appreciate punishing and unforgiving gameplay mechanics.
- Play the first game first (weight 0.28): It is widely recommended to play the first game before this one, as it provides a better understanding and appreciation of the game's mechanics and storyline.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.06): The game is not recommended for those seeking casual play or without patience, as it requires a significant time investment and resilience.
- Use walkthroughs when stuck (weight 0.06): Players are advised to look up solutions and use walkthroughs for difficult puzzles to progress in the game.
- Precise and adaptable gameplay (weight 0.06): The game features precise and adaptable mechanics, which are appreciated by players who enjoy detailed and intricate gameplay.
- Appreciation for game's beauty (weight 0.03): The game's beauty and unique ideas take time to appreciate, making it suitable for players who enjoy deep and thought-provoking experiences.
- Recommended for OCD players (weight 0.03): The game is recommended for players who are extremely detail-oriented and enjoy taking extensive notes to solve puzzles and progress.

Other player notes:
- DLC mentioned (weight 0.02): A reviewer mentioned the DLC. No further details were provided.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.35): Players are frustrated by the game's high difficulty, obscure and poorly designed puzzles, and unfair mechanics such as instant death traps and poor controls. Additional frustrations stem from bugs, localization issues, and a lack of quality-of-life features, which collectively detract from the overall experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.21): Players feel satisfied with the game's rewarding gameplay, improved mechanics, and engaging puzzle-solving aspects. The sense of accomplishment from solving difficult puzzles and the overall improvements over the first game contribute to this satisfaction.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): Players are excited about the game's engaging boss fights, unique gameplay elements, and the overall experience of playing a long-awaited sequel. The improved gameplay mechanics, fantastic pixel art, and engaging exploration also contribute to this excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Players express disappointment due to the game's lack of Spanish translation, unmet expectations, and issues with controls and overall design. The game's mean-spirited design, excessive traps, and anticlimactic ending also contribute to this disappointment.
- Joy (weight 0.07): Players experience joy from the game's improved animations, engaging lore, and overall enjoyable gameplay. The adventure, progress, and memorable moments, along with the game's music and large world, add to this joy.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players enjoy the game's unique puzzle-solving mechanics, exploration aspects, and clever puzzles. The overall experience, including good moments and unique gameplay, contributes to their enjoyment.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Players feel nostalgia due to the game's connection to the original La-Mulana, including references and similar feel to the previous game. The sense of returning to a beloved game series enhances this nostalgia.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's charm, depth, and intricate map design despite its flaws. The game's intentional design and unique aesthetic also contribute to this admiration.
- Stress (weight 0): Players feel stressed due to the game's challenging puzzles, which can be difficult and time-consuming.}