LA-MULANA EX is now on sale (in Japan). Then, we would like to introduce other stuff this time.

LA-MULANA Original Sound Track Complete

LA-MULANA EX released just recently, but LA-MULANA’s OST has already existed because we have been selling the OST since when WiiWare version released. If you love LA-MULANA’s BGMs, let’s take a listen to them. Some songs in the Disk 3 are not in use, and each disk costs you US$4.99 and you can buy it via Paypal.

We have missed a chance to release something although we prepared for that long time ago. It is not to say that release celebration for LA-MULANA EX, but we sell Disk 0 that includes some rejected songs and SSCC version of new songs for remake version. Those songs are provided for an amenity for GOG distribution.

Meanwhile, we made the complete set that includes disk 1,2,3 plus disk 0. The grand 4 disks set for US$14.99. It is same price as 3 disks set before. That’s literally all sound sources for LA-MULANA.

Well, I’m gonna answer the rest of questions, about progress and prospect on the development.

Q. How are you planning to top the original La Mulana soundtrack? It was absolutely amazing, can it even be done? Also please special swimsuit for Lumisa.
A. The original sound track of LA-MULANA is available on bandcamp. We don’t know how to sell it on iTunes. Swimsuit? What??

Q. Will the backers get early access to the OST? If so, which backer tier is required and when will it be available approximately?
A. We compose BGMs at the end of the development, and keep brushing them up by the time the quality is suitable as a product. So, you won’t get the OST before you get the game itself.

Q. I enjoy playing LA-MULANA! When LA-MULANA 2 is on sale, I would like to broadcast my playthrough movie. Is that OK?
A. When you buy our game not just LA-MULANA 2, that is already yours. Nowadays, playthrough movies are one of the way to enjoy games. Feel free to play whatever suit yourself.

Q. In what order do you proceed with the development? designing the map? then the traps? then the item? then the music? I’m really curious about that! Also, when you’ll start composing the music, will you upload one of them before the game is released? thanks again for making this sequel, this is awesome!
A. In my case, I start thinking the last scene or large-scale tricks of the last stage. On LA-MULANA, I hit the ruin’s secret and inscribing mantras. Then, I think how to make players surprise until the last stage, and keep taking notes for fleshing out with sub stories. After that, I decided the system easy to feel the surprise. BGMs are the very last stage of development.

Q. What’s your favorite brand of curry? The date you were aiming for was December 2015 – it’s such a short amount of time! With development now underway, how do you feel you’re doing in terms of scheduling? Building a new engine naturally leads to a period where there isn’t anything amazing to show off, but I think it’s great that you have this desire to connect with the fans despite that. I have great faith that you’ll create something spectacular~
A. Talking about curry, I prefer to go around small specialty shops. We have short time for the development, but never mind even if the target has set earlier! Don’t ask me anymore!! Anyway, we will provide the alpha version during the development. You won’t be waiting without anything.

Q. Any progress update on La-Mulana 2 getting a console release (specifically for Wii U)?
A. We couldn’t hit stretch goals for that… but, some companies offered us to distribute to consumer platforms. Unfortunately, no WiiU so far.

Q. Hello, well I heard that you guys are developing for the Xbox One for it’s launch in japan, does that mean you’re making La Mulana 2 for the Xbox One? if that’s the case, are you considering making versions for the other consoles? Wii U for Example or maybe PS Vita?
A. I don’t know where you got the information. We are developing the PC version and don’t have any plan to release other platforms so far. But, the environment of indie game developers in Japan has been changed a lot. So, we could have more opportunities to talk with the person in charge of SONY and Microsoft, and we will be able to get their technical supports. LA-MULANA had taken a long time to port from Wii to PC. We are trying to develop LA-MULANA2 easy to port into other platforms with the technical informations that we got beforehand. I wonder whether we could get offer something like “Would you want to release on our platform?”

Q. Hey Naramura!Loved La-Mulana and the Remake, and I was very glad to see when you started up the Kickstarter for La-Mulana 2. On that note, how much in donations have you gotten from the Playism preorders? Has it been enough to create some Evil Stages?Also, how much planning has gone into the weapons that we’ll be using? Will they be all-new weapons with new mechanics? Are there any plans for weapon upgrades that will make all the weapons effective even during endgame?
A. Hey you! We haven’t reached even $300,000 in total Kickstarter fund and Paypal fund through Playism. When we hit any stretch goal, we will inform you. If you are a huge fan of LA-MULANA, you know the Key Sword is not necessary. Something would be added instead of that.

Q. I’m still hoping for Lumisa to become playable on EF-12, is that still a possibility? Have we reached $300K yet?
A. It depends how we get along with the creator of EF-12 in the future.

This time, I will answer your questions about the story and characters.
Honestly, we haven’t got many sharp questions like discovering the secrets of LA-MULANA2.
We are looking forward to getting your cool questions!

Q. Is all the NPCs, including villagers, weird ones, and a monster and a fish from the ending from La-Mulana 1 will make the return in La-Mulana 2?
A. Not everyone will appear in LA-MULANA2, but it is the very sequel. All important characters listed on the character page and the legendary Four Philosophers as well. That would be pretty much everyone?

Q. any plans for the flash game “Rose and Camellia” sequels, including La-Mulana elements in there?
A. No, however, in my mind, there are three more imaginary stories.

Q. Where does the name “Eg-Lana” come from? Is there a secret meaning?
A. LA-MULANA is an anagram of the creator’s name, namely my name. EG-LANA, too. One of my friends in University called me “Narage”, that’s it.

Q. Can we expect that Swimsuit Lemeza is the canon ending for La Mulana 1? Will we get to see proof in 2?
A. That was a humor that muscular guy wears a high-cut swimsuit, but don’t you think it’s just normal young girl wears it?

Q. How hard are you working towards keeping the mythology of the series consistent? Will we find clues to La-Mulana 2 buried within La-Mulana 1′s lore?
A. That is gonna be very tough, but in my case, it is tough because I made it without thinking deeply. I come up ideas when I need texts, and just wrote down them. Therefore, I sometimes forget detailed backgrounds. To put it the other way around, LA-MULANA doesn’t have firm backgrounds not as what you think of. I added a lot of new backgrounds for LA-MULANA2. Especially the fairy queen now has many new features, because she doesn’t have much background in LA-MULANA. I want to astonish you when you find out that real interpretations of LA-MULANA’s clue in LA-MULANA2. If you want to enjoy LA-MULANA2, you would be better to beat LA-MULANA.

Q. The first game mixed humour with very dark and creepy themes. The original new project teaser site also seemed very dark and mysterious. Can we expect this type of tone to the game as well?
A. I suppose that atmosphere has come out from my nature. I don’t really like horror stuff, but I love to surprise players in our games. Elements of horror is useful for that. Also, humour has exactly come out from my nature. When I hit something funny, I won’t be satisfied until I make it happen. I am this kind of person. I don’t care even if it’s a serious scene. As a result, LA-MULANA may have the mixed atmosphere as you say. I would like to move people as a writer, though. That would be difficult for unmoved person like me.

Q. If there’s a character stories(stretch goals) element in there, what approach do you take? is it a “Zap-system” where all 5 characters have their own Point-of-view in a different settings that will affect other character’s point-of-view stories or is there something else in mind?
A. Good question! That’s a really important topic. I answer it in detail. After LA-MULANA was released, I understand there are three kinds of players who enjoy our game. The first group which is a large part of players gave up before beating it. The second group enjoy playing until beating it. And the third group keep playing over and over after beating it. Additional field and character switches that we set as stretch goals are for the third group who play forever.

To be honest, it is impossible to complete LA-MULANA2 in 2015 as same quality as LA-MULANA. Even though our aim of Kickstarter isn’t about only time frame, we won’t keep you waiting until it’s finished. We are, therefore, going to release alpha or beta version, also we might develop an extra field and character switches after once we complete the game. Our first target is to complete the game that you can play and see the ending. That means you won’t be able to switch characters in-game for the first play, no zapping.If we can develop longer like 2 more years, that would happen.

The idea switching characters and solve tricks came out from inside, too. But I opposed it. I knew that would be attractive to change characters depends on situations. But, LA-MULANA is too big to do that. That’s why we will implement the system that is like additional feature you can unlock when you beat the game once.

For example, you chose Mulburk, how about she has the feather and can double-jump from the beginning? You would take a completely different route and might change the order to beat Guardians or to take items. For the people who want to play LA-MULANA2 over and over, you can change the characters and try speed-run with building up your own route. So, let us complete the Lumisa’s part first that players can enjoy new story and new vision of LA-MULANA2. We would implement additional features later, you could zap characters or see another story that wasn’t in Lumisa’s part. You can look forward to our power of prank.

Q. Will the foxes riding on a ball appear in La-Mulana2?
A. NOPE!

I’m going to answer to your questions because we have got many questions. I will answer every questions, but this time I respond the questions about the contents of La-Mulana2. I will answer other questions later. Surely, we welcome more questions. Please leave your comment on this post.

Q. Could you tell us about a new gameplay mechanic that you’re excited to add to La Mulana 2? Thanks for your time!!
A. We will show you that later on!

Q. Have you decided on any of the special abilities for the alt. costumes?
A. We don’t consider that at this moment. What kind of opinions are exchanged on overseas forums?

Q. Have you guys decided on if we can expect more collectible software this time around, or if it’s around the same amount as the original game?
A. Certainly, “La-Mulana2” will be added, but I won’t increase the number of softwares uselessly.

Q. Are you, Duplex, and Sumieru are going to plan to put your own and the other 2′s laughing face as a death trap in La-Mulana 2?
A. We don’t want fans to hate us that much.

Q. Will we get to ride in any vehicles?
Q. On any animals? On a Llama on the Luna?
A. I’d like to use vehicles in only battles against the Guardians.

Q. I always enjoy a part of the game when the hero is transformed and must find a way to turn back!
A. La-Mulana2 has more elements of main character’s appearance than La-Mulana1.

Q. What are the major things you learned from watching people play the first game – things that didn’t work out so well and you could improve upon?
A. There is a lot. Some of them will be fixed in La-Mulana EX which is La-Mulana1 PS Vita version. We can’t fix some bugs like player’s character is buried under the floor because they are connected with the fundamental game system. Besides, fixing them may bring other bugs. Therefore, we decided to make a whole new game system and the development environment for La-Mulana2 meticulously.

Q. While you probably cannot give us too many details, I’d still like to ask – how different will La Mulana 2 be in comparison to the first one when it comes to the engine? Also, aren’t you afraid that people are too used to the remake to embrace new changes?
A. I know the fact that latest engines bring the efficiency of making assets, fixing bugs, and porting to other devices. But, Changing the engine doesn’t change the game contents a lot. What changes the game is our ideas. I recognize the source of fun of La-Mulana, and I don’t mind changing anything if it makes La-Mulana2 fun more. I guess someone would make such a sequel to our last work which is bound by the original rules.

We are happy to inform you that Japanese version of LA-MULANA EX for PLAYSTATION VITA is releasing on 17th December. LA-MULANA EX is released by Pygmy Studio. For details, please visit the official website.

Overseas version is released by RISING STAR GAMES. Now, they are working on revising lots of languages of translations. So, that would be on sale in the middle of January.