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La Mulana: Wiiware Edition |OT| An adventure years in the making
- Thread starter cj_iwakura
- Start date
I have been waiting for a console release to play this game, literally five or six years now. Started it yesterday night and it is really fantastic. So, so hard though. Not necessarily even "reflex" wise but just the puzzles and not knowing what to do. Reminds me of my first time through Super Metroid or something, only the world seems so gigantic and so dangerous.
It's kinda like, you know how by now you're good at Zelda puzzles, even if you play a new Zelda game you kinda know what to do? This game is like a different language entirely, even the basic rules are mysterious at first and it only gets harder from there. There have been times I have fully solved puzzles and not really even understood that I did them, then gone back later and had it dawn on me that what I did opened another step, which leads to another step, which leads to something else entirely...
Really fantastic game all around, best thing I've played on the Wii in a long long time. Would wholly recommend it to anyone who has ever enjoyed a Metroid or a Zelda or a Castlevania or Cave Story or anything like that.
It's kinda like, you know how by now you're good at Zelda puzzles, even if you play a new Zelda game you kinda know what to do? This game is like a different language entirely, even the basic rules are mysterious at first and it only gets harder from there. There have been times I have fully solved puzzles and not really even understood that I did them, then gone back later and had it dawn on me that what I did opened another step, which leads to another step, which leads to something else entirely...
Really fantastic game all around, best thing I've played on the Wii in a long long time. Would wholly recommend it to anyone who has ever enjoyed a Metroid or a Zelda or a Castlevania or Cave Story or anything like that.
cj_iwakura
Member
Well, I've killed two mini bosses(one at the Sun Temple and one at the Water Temple) and I have a glyph, but I'm still randomly running all over the place.
Yet I kind of like it.
Yet I kind of like it.
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
Oh, EnjoyUp is not going to release the missing secret zone for Wiiware owners? That's pretty bad.
In retrospective, the platform choice for this remake was fucking abysmal for both development and awareness. At least we got the PC release, hopefully it makes it to Steam soon and people notice the game :/
Get used to running around without a damn clue on what to do next!
But the Guidance Gate boss 'quest' is self contained, you should try unlocking it at this stage.
cj_iwakura
Member
I wish we'd gotten more WW games like this, I think it's a great platform that went woefully underutilized. Also, the speaker remote notifications are always nice.
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
Respectfully disagree. A file size limitation that effectively cuts content from the game, no permanent account system in place and zero awareness of new releases marred with a sales threshold for developers to get profits? Terrible.
It's a disservice to the game not to be on Steam/XBL/PSN where people can see it. Can't blame the audience, though - even I could have ended skipping this if it wasn't for the Playism version and I'm a huge fan of the original.
But these are my beefs with the service, not the game itself. Other than missing the optional bullshit-hard secret dungeon the WiiWare release is perfectly good for those with a penchant for hardcore exploration unable to get the PC release.
Davey Cakes
Member
WiiWare only debuted in 2008. It had a pretty good start but I believe in 2009 things were still picking up, and that's when La-Mulana WiiWare was announced. The service itself wasn't great but the choice of platform wasn't the worst either, at least at the time. This game should have always been at least WiiWare/Steam, in the same vein as World of Goo or something similar, if not eventually going to all platforms including handhelds.
The life-cycle of development/publishing hurt this game more than the platform. That said, the limitations with Nintendo's download service are certainly a hindrance that most could do without. I think it was all a result of poor planning. The Wii should have been able to use SD cards and hard drives for storage/access from the beginning, negating the size limitations. Nintendo should've had a better plan for marketing WiiWare releases as well. If they were going to put a sales threshold in place they should have made it easier for devs/pubs to sell games!
The life-cycle of development/publishing hurt this game more than the platform. That said, the limitations with Nintendo's download service are certainly a hindrance that most could do without. I think it was all a result of poor planning. The Wii should have been able to use SD cards and hard drives for storage/access from the beginning, negating the size limitations. Nintendo should've had a better plan for marketing WiiWare releases as well. If they were going to put a sales threshold in place they should have made it easier for devs/pubs to sell games!
Davey Cakes
Member
Played some more of this game. It feels like the pieces fall together almost randomly. "Do some stuff here, do some stuff there." Slowly and surely the environment opens up. It's definitely an engaging and addictive experience because the game slowly feeds you the satisfaction of discovery. I will say it's kind of crazy that tablets in one area are hints for puzzles in an entirely different area, though. I could see why that'd be a bit much for people.
Wii Ware DOES seem to be the best fit for deliberately retro-style games though, or at least it comes far closer to feeling like the real deal (when they don't unnecessarily fuck it up like TAY anyway), but the problems are as you outlined. Stifling storage space, no account system (though I'm thinking/hoping coverting to Wii U fixes this), and bullshit terms for profit. And no serious attempt at building awareness while letting all sorts of crap in before a positive impression could be built, cutting out bullshit bogging it down then establishing a great start probably would've made it hold its own against XBLA and PSN rather than mainly being good for getting MegaMan, Cave Story, World of Goo, and this, all of which (along with a few other games that only became temporary exclusives) can be found elsewhere. The only ones that are worthwhile and stayed exclusive, I believe, were Nintendo's own games.
I think we all know that WiiWare is a bit of a shitshow environment for devs and consumers alike. 3DS has largely resolved all of the major issues, and there's no reason to believe that the Wii-U won't build off that, rather than this.
Now... back to La-Mulana, yes?
Now... back to La-Mulana, yes?
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
Now... back to La-Mulana, yes?
Yes!
Looking forward to newcomers getting to the
Gate of Illusion
Not that it's much help, but there is a partial mirror here.
http://lamulana-remake.wikia.com/wiki/La-Mulana_Remake_Wiki
I am totally stuck in the game, no information anywhere on the net seems to provide a clue.
Bought it a couple of days ago. I'm not far in, but so far I like what I get. Lots of running around without much handholding from the game, running out of life and dying while I try to make it back to the village to heal (I have yet to figure out the health system, i.e. what is that blue bar for). I just got the
so my health worries should be diminishing I think/hope.
The music is nice but loops are too short. Graphics are okay, and controls are good! Jumping mechanics seemed weird at the start but I'm starting to master them. I also like figuring everything out by myself, even if it meant restarting all over in the beginning due to carelessness. It's a nostalgia trip in a new game!
Holy Grail
The music is nice but loops are too short. Graphics are okay, and controls are good! Jumping mechanics seemed weird at the start but I'm starting to master them. I also like figuring everything out by myself, even if it meant restarting all over in the beginning due to carelessness. It's a nostalgia trip in a new game!
Bluemercury
Member
Just fought the first boss and won. What's the difference from the pc version???do we lose muchin the wiiware version?
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
Full heal every time it's maxed. Pick up EXP drops (green spheres) to fill it.
To actually increase your Max HP you have to find Castlevania-style Life Orbs.
A self-contained special dungeon that requires a very specific and obscure set of steps to be performed exactly as intended to access. This complicated unlocking method serves as a fine prelude to the bullshit room design, puzzles, traps and enemy placement that plague this place - the main adventure has some rage inducing parts but this is just on another level.
Successful defeat of the boss at the end will reward the player with the treasure which must not be seen.
La-Mulane number one in North America
https://twitter.com/enjoyupgames
I've begin the game yesterday and it's really fun, much better than i have think.
When you pause the game, what's the character is doing after eating, just before sleeping?
https://twitter.com/enjoyupgames
I've begin the game yesterday and it's really fun, much better than i have think.
When you pause the game, what's the character is doing after eating, just before sleeping?
lunchwithyuzo
Banned
Also hit #1 in basically every Euro market. Really glad, this game more than most really deserves the success. Eat it Nicalis.
Kontergurke
Member
cj_iwakura
Member
Well deserved. Thanks. EnjoyUp!
(Are they a Hispanic company? I noticed the 'jeje'.)
(Are they a Hispanic company? I noticed the 'jeje'.)
PixyJunket
Member
Indeed. I am very glad they stepped up to grab this.
They are indeed based in Spain.
PixyJunket
Member
I don't think it's a matter of changing their minds, the way it was being implemented was one of the key points which kept getting the game rejected from submission and causing Nicalis to drop out of publishing it. My assumption is that when EnjoyUp contacted NIGORO, it was probably figured that since the game was otherwise finished, they should focus on getting the game out at all then waste more (very valuable) time trying to fix whatever was causing the rejected submissions.
I would like to see them get it working now that the game is out and selling though, if they can manage it.
Oh, I thought the DLC came out for the Japanese version.
Didn't realize there were cert issues involved.
TheUnknownForce
Member
Oh, I thought the DLC came out for the Japanese version.
Didn't realize there were cert issues involved.
That is the major reason behind Nicalis dropping it. They could never get the DLC through NOA certification, much like they could not with Cave Story. With Cave Story, they caved and released the game with the DLC included, but they could not in La-Mulana's case (see: game size and outside developer).
In Japan, Nigoro released the game themselves and were able to get through approval for the DLC and all that. Going through a third party to release worldwide led to the issues they had. EnjoyUp was able to get the game up and sent to Nintendo when both EnjoyUp and Nigoro agreed the game needed to be released w/o the extra content.
In short, DLC certification ain't easy with WiiWare. Oh, and La-Mulana is awesome.
PixyJunket
Member
It did come out in Japan.Oh, I thought the DLC came out for the Japanese version.
Didn't realize there were cert issues involved.
Unfortunately NCL, NoA and NoE all have different cert processes.
PixyJunket
Member
NIGORO also floundered their way to release the game in Japan, the first release apparently was a mess (but eventually patched).
Hopefully they can plow forward though, because La-Mulana is awesome and I'd love to see what else they can do.
Hopefully they can plow forward though, because La-Mulana is awesome and I'd love to see what else they can do.
I'm wondering if I somehow triggered hard mode and didn't realize it (there's more enemies that didn't exist before and the existing ones have more attacks). Is that scan somewhere in the
Gate of Guidance, Mausoleum of Giants, Endless Corridor, Twin Labyrinth, Temple of the Sun or Moonlit Temple?
I'm loving this game BTW - just hope I didn't somehow do more harm then good.
Kontergurke
Member
Yes, it's in the
Mausoleum of Giants, in the upper-right corner of the map. The room is called "Room of Redemption", you can check the name if you found the map of that area.
AFAIK there's no way to turn off Hard mode once it's activated.
KojiKnight
Member
Why would they need graphic filters? Because it's "pixelated"? All the artwork is hi-res then downsampled (nigoro showed off it's unshrunk versions on it's blog a few months ago) so if they wanted to do an "HD" release on Wii U, it'd be really simple to do no reworking of the art required.
(edit) Blog post link: http://la-mulana.com/en/blog/graphic-materials.html
Bluemercury
Member
Wait the japanese wiiware version got the last content that is in the pc remake?Damn, i hope we still get it. Anyway just managed to find the first boss lol.Even finding the bosses isnt linear
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
This one. Easy way to check: if you're encountering mini-anubis mobs that drain all your life in 2 seconds in this zone, congratulations! You did enable hard mode.
Alternatively, save and check the tablet. It's reading it twice that triggers the change, comes with skull ghosts sfx and the "triggered trap" horn chime. Exit and reload.
...because all of you guys found the horn that plays a sound when you finish a puzzle or trigger a trap, right? It's on the surface area.
Kontergurke
Member
Btw, I would recommend to anyone playing this for the first time to watch this beginner's guide video. It explains basic stuff, what you should do at first etc.
Also, the History video in the OP is the one for the Playism release. But they also made another version for the western Wiiware release. It's basically the same video just with a "Finally back on Wiiware!" sentence added.
Maybe these two could be added to the OP?
Also, the History video in the OP is the one for the Playism release. But they also made another version for the western Wiiware release. It's basically the same video just with a "Finally back on Wiiware!" sentence added.
Maybe these two could be added to the OP?
RPG_Fanatic
Member
I wondered what checking the tablet twice did. I might want to load an earlier save now.
Kontergurke
Member
So, after beating the fifth boss in the
, I was a little clueless about where to go next.
I explored a bit, found some items here, some new passages there but I didn't find any new areas or items that would help me solve the dead ends in the previous areas.
Although I didn't want to resort to the wiki, I gave in and started looking up some of the dead ends I already encountered.
Turns out that, after you beat that boss, an entrance to a new area appears in a room/screen called
.
I would have never guessed to look there, as I didn't find any hints to go there and that particular screen didn't have any signs of a hidden door or secret.
So yeah, the puzzles so far weren't that difficult, but returning to all previous areas after beating a boss just to see if something randomly changed might become tiresome ...
Although, maybe I just missed a hint tablet (or didn't understand the hint).
Anyway, now I'm highly motivated again. New area, here I come!
Inferno Cavern
I explored a bit, found some items here, some new passages there but I didn't find any new areas or items that would help me solve the dead ends in the previous areas.
Although I didn't want to resort to the wiki, I gave in and started looking up some of the dead ends I already encountered.
Turns out that, after you beat that boss, an entrance to a new area appears in a room/screen called
Waterfall of the Goddess on the Surface
I would have never guessed to look there, as I didn't find any hints to go there and that particular screen didn't have any signs of a hidden door or secret.
So yeah, the puzzles so far weren't that difficult, but returning to all previous areas after beating a boss just to see if something randomly changed might become tiresome ...
Although, maybe I just missed a hint tablet (or didn't understand the hint).
Anyway, now I'm highly motivated again. New area, here I come!
drhankmccoyphd
Member
Is there any reason that I can't use the holy grail to add the save point at the Temple of the Moon to my warp points? I spent ten minutes trying to activate it, but no go.
cj_iwakura
Member
Scan it.
Splash Wave
Member
I know this is the Wiiware thread, but how does this play with a keyboard? I was thinking about installing it on my MBA's Windows 7 partition.
Dobkeratops
OT Hard Carry
From earlier in the thread:
Search for the software at the
Graveyard
I'm of the opinion that these games are best played with an USB controller so I hooked up a dualshock asap, but one of my friends beat the whole game with a keyboard and had no complaints on that front.
Hours Left
Member
I'm glad to hear the game is doing so well. Even though Nigoro/EnjoyUp has stated they have no plans currently, I hope it does eventually get ported to the 3DS/Wii U/PSN etc. with the DLC content.
jesusraz
Member
As if it were needed, the game scored a 10/10 on Cubed3 recently!
RPG_Fanatic
Member
You need to scan the save tablet before you can warp to it. It took me a while to figure out.