La-Mulana (also written as La•Mulana) is a type of video game that combines platforming and adventure elements. It was created to copy the appearance and style of MSX games. The game was first released on June 27, 2006, in Japan for Microsoft Windows computers. At that time, it was only available in Japanese, but an English version was later created by Ian Kelley of AGTP. The game was later completely redesigned in a 16-bit style for the Wii console, and later released for PC, Mac, Linux, and PlayStation Vita.
Gameplay
The main character in the game is Lemeza, an adventurer who uses a whip to explore the tomb in La-Mulana. Even though the game has only one ending, there are many different ways to reach it. Players can complete tasks, collect power-ups, and explore new areas, but the game does not follow a single path or suggest a clear order to follow. Some power-ups allow players to access new parts of the game, but the game does not show where to go next.
The game was created to honor the MSX games of the 1980s, especially The Maze of Galious. It uses a 16-color palette and low-resolution graphics, like those found in older MSX games. The opening scene copies the style of MSX load screens, showing how much video memory is available and displaying the MSX logo. Lemeza carries a laptop MSX throughout the game and can collect or buy ROM cartridges for it. Some of these cartridges can be combined to create special effects.
At the start of the game, Lemeza has a whip and a small amount of health. Some items help the story progress by opening new areas or allowing players to collect other items, while others give Lemeza new abilities needed to reach parts of the game.
Most enemies in the game do not deal much damage, but there are few ways to restore health. In some cases, taking damage can cause Lemeza to fall from a high place and lose progress. An early item allows players to teleport back to the game’s only save point, along with setting waypoints. The game’s manual suggests exploring and solving puzzles before health runs low, then teleporting back if danger becomes too great. However, some rooms make it hard to return after teleporting, so this action is not always safe.
A key design goal of the game is difficulty. The developers wanted to create tension by making players think carefully about their actions, similar to how a real-life archaeologist might avoid risky choices. Many traps and dead ends are included to protect the sacred ruins. Players must avoid these dangers, as there is no way to escape some areas without teleporting.
Plot
Lemeza Kosugi, a professor of archaeology, receives a letter from his father, Shorn Kosugi. His father claims he has found the ruins of La-Mulana, a place said to be the birthplace of all civilizations and to hold the secret treasure of life. Following his father’s clues, Lemeza travels to the ruins and discovers that they are made up of a mix of structures and ruins from different parts of the world. As he explores further, Lemeza learns about a being called "the Mother," who fell from the sky and landed on Earth. The Mother tried to return to space but needed help. She created different groups of people, called "children," to find a way to send her back. None of the groups succeeded, which made the Mother angry. She destroyed each group and started over with a new race.
The seventh group of children realized that it was impossible to help the Mother return to space. They discovered that the ruins of La-Mulana were actually the Mother’s body. To save their race from being destroyed, they decided to let the Mother die peacefully. They planned for the next group, the eighth generation, to grow up without knowing about the Mother. This group would have the strength and knowledge to complete the task. The eighth generation became humanity. To finish the task, Lemeza must remove the Mother’s soul and give it a physical form to destroy. After a difficult battle, Lemeza succeeds in stopping the Mother before she can create a ninth generation. After defeating the Mother, Lemeza takes the secret treasure of life and escapes the ruins before they collapse. When he returns to the surface, his father, Shorn, appears and steals the treasure. Lemeza then chases his father toward the sunrise.
Development
On October 28, 2001, one month after finishing their first game, GR3Project discussed what game they would create next. They decided to make something similar to The Maze of Galious, and development of La-Mulana began. A version based on a mockup image created by director Naramura was made on November 6, 2001, and was kept secret until the game was released.
On April 28, 2002, a demo of the game was released, which only included the first level. After updating their website in 2003, GR3Project regularly showed screenshots of the game on the main page and a subpage dedicated to La-Mulana. Around early 2005, GR3Project announced that they had completed 70% of the game.
Later that year, on August 17, the game entered an open testing stage with the release of an unfinished version. Many websites mistakenly believed this was the official release, partly due to language barriers and the game already being completable, even though it lacked several features. A disclaimer on the download page listed features to be added, including "extra items, keyboard controls configuration, MIDI mode, and the opening cutscene." The complete version of La-Mulana was finally released on June 27, 2006.
Reception
After the English translation update for the game was released, websites such as 1UP.com and Joystiq played the game. These sites described it as a fun game, with 1UP.com stating it is "a great exploratory platformer similar to Metroid or Castlevania that matches the look and sound of an MSX game." Both websites also mentioned that the game is very challenging.
The PlayStation Vita version of the game sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide in the first seven months after its release, as reported by Pygmy Studio. By July 2016, the total number of copies sold had reached over 600,000.
Legacy
The game was completely redesigned, with development beginning in 2007. It was released on Nintendo’s WiiWare service by Nigoro on June 21, 2011, in Japan. The WiiWare version includes several changes. Some changes were made to make the game easier and improve its design to attract more players. Other changes were to give players who played the original game a new experience. Some changes were also needed because of copyright issues. The graphics were updated to look smoother, and the music was arranged in a more detailed style.
Major changes include:
• Bosses are completely different from the original game’s bosses.
• The in-game map has minor changes, such as new rooms and some rooms that were removed.
• Some puzzles were removed, and new puzzles were added.
• The game’s engine was completely rebuilt with new code.
• The MSX computer system was renamed the "Mobile Super X."
• The melody of "Curse of Iron Pipe" was changed to avoid similarities to a track from the game Ashguine II.
Plans for releasing the game in North America and Europe were canceled by Nicalis, its original publisher. In June 2012, EnjoyUp Games showed interest in publishing La-Mulana. The game was released on September 20, 2012, in North America and Europe. It did not include downloadable content that was available in Japan, and this was the reason for the initial delay.
A Windows version, based on the WiiWare version, was released on July 13, 2012, on Playism, and later on GOG.com and Desura in October 2012. It was also released on Steam. This version includes support for multiple languages (Japanese, English, Spanish, and Russian), USB gamepads (including Xbox 360 controllers), and additional features compared to the WiiWare version. These include Hell Temple (which required downloadable content on the WiiWare version) and an updated Time Attack mode.
A PS Vita version was announced at a Japanese indie game event in September 2013. Developed by Pygmy Studio, this version was called La-Mulana EX and added a Monster Bestiary and gameplay adjustments. The game was released in Japan on December 17, 2014. Rising Star Games published the English version in North America on March 3, 2015, and in Europe on March 4, 2015.
In January 2014, a Kickstarter campaign was started to fund the development of La-Mulana 2. The game was released on July 30, 2018, and focuses on Lemeza’s daughter as she searches for her father. The sequel includes more elements from Norse mythology than the first game. It was released on Nintendo Switch in Japan on June 27, 2019.
A version containing both the first game and the sequel, La Mulana 1 & 2, was released on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One in North America on March 17, 2020, and in Europe on March 20, 2020.