La-Mulana 1 & 2 (PS4/NS)

The La-Mulana series dates back to a time when world adventure was in the entertainment spotlight. A time when make believe heroes like Indiana Jones were around to give us an exciting look into the dangers of dungeon exploration, and the historically rewarding business that is archaeology. The very inspirations that no doubt inspired some of today's real world archaeologists to some degree. While it obviously has it's inspirations the La Mulana series also takes some inspiration from classic game design. When it comes to such game comparisons La-Mulana 1 & 2 are like a blend of 'Spelunky', and 'The Legend of Zelda II'. Both games in the La-Mulana series featuring Metroidvania style puzzle platforming with basic combat, and RPG mechanics for dealing with the risky navigation therein. All of which is centered around a renown bloodline of explorers who each bare the Kosugi namesake, and who each have their own reasons for exploring the ruins of La-Mulana. As with any ancient site there comes some mythology, and for Lemeza as well as his daughter Lumisa that mythology is more real than they ever dared to believe. Named after the Goddess La Mulana who created humankind in hopes of getting herself back home the ruins harbor an unsolved mystery that attracts the curious, and those who are brave enough to venture forth into it's depths. That, of course, is where you come in ...

In La-Mulana 1, you play as the esteemed professor Lemeza who travels to the ancient ruins in search of his lost father, Shaun Kosugi. Upon arrival at a nearby village he meets with the village elder, Xelpud who gifts him software for email communication before allowing him to venture forth. The email which is accessed via laptop not only allows for hint inclusive email communication between Lemeza and Xelpud, but also allows Lemeza to equip gear as well as additional software for use in La-Mulana's ruins. At any given time Lemeza can equip a weapon, an ammo dependent sub-weapon or equipment for defense, and an off-hand item that will open up various features in the labyrinthine ruins for the expedition at hand. The gameplay loop that is the beating heart of La-Mulana 1 will have you going between the village, and it's shops into La Mulana itself. At the main village you can regain health at the hot springs, shop for useful items using the gold you've collected, and save progress at a headstone. Within La-Mulana itself, the premiere destination that it is, you will face traps, pitfalls, enemies, and bosses which will require the masterful use of your primary, and secondary weapons to defeat. Bosses, for example, have weaknesses and patterns that must be minded in order to succeed in battle.

In the way of mechanics certain items will give you access to tablet translation for hints among other useful things. That along with the weights you collect from broken vases and defeated lesser enemies or shop vendors will allow you to uncover secrets, and open chests via a switch that will offer both equipment, and upgrades for Lemeza. When it comes to the challenge the base game is most certainly challenging. You start off with a little bit of health, but gain more as you make it further in. As far as progress is concerned you'll find that death comes easy early on, and the only way to circumnavigate an untimely demise is to save often. Saving often is a necessary thing in La-Mulana 1, and can only be done at special headstones along the way. When you die you will be able to continue at your last save via the main menu with the progress and items you had at that point secure. That, and the exact amount of life you died with.

Along with the base game that is La-Mulana 1 comes a 'Time Attack' mode which is more like a blend of time attack, and a boss rush. In this mode you'll choose between the beginner, challenger, and expert difficulties along with a beginner, mid, and high end guardian ranking. The latter meaning that you have more life, and more equipment readily available at the start as well as lesser to greater enemy/boss threats the higher the rank. The equipment assortment includes different primary, and secondary weapons as well as relics that will give you different options to face the series of bosses before you. Upon completion the time it took you to complete your playthrough will be accounted for, and recorded for record sake.

Following closely it's predecessor, La-Mulana 2 features a return to the La-Mulana ruin site. The difference this time around comes with the protagonist, the state of the ruins, and some newly tweaked mechanics features. Leading the new expedition into La Mulana is none other than the daughter of Lemeza. You'll come to know her as Lumisa. Lumisa returns to the ruins to help solve the reason behind the recent uprising of creatures in place of her father, and his father. Lumisa finds help through the new pimpin' Xelpud in pretty much the same manner he helped Lemeza. She gets communication software for her laptop to assist with email hints, and is sent on her way to help save Xelpud's new village vacation resort. Along with the email software Lumisa sports a whip like her father, and can equip an off-hand item as well as a secondary weapon/item for battle and exploration situations. The gameplay loop follows closely the former gameplay loop but does add in crouching, and a new menu system that is streamlined in comparison to the first game's menu system. You'll once again be exploring deep into the ruined ruins of La Mulana as you get stronger, healthier, and more prepared for what lies ahead with the treasures and trinkets that you find. There are plenty of pitfalls, lesser enemies, traps, and bosses to face off against as you get to the bottom of the mystery therein. It should also be noted that saving, and restarting after a death has been changed to where you can continue directly from the game over screen instead of the main menu.

The Verdict ...

The La Mulana series is notorious for it's hard difficulty. That has not changed in it's translation, and porting to modern consoles. It is still a tough as nails puzzle platformer that will test your mettle. While that might be off putting to some it's not entirely bad. I actually enjoyed the oldschool gameplay even though the jumping is tricky at times. In the way of presentation the games come with an artistic border that's different for each game. This scales down the actual gameplay screen size, but not badly displayed. The visuals are still good in comparison to newer indies of the same pixel design, and the soundtrack definitely worth noting. I think Nigoro did a good job in porting the games to the PS4, and Nintendo Switch. The fact that you get two games with this collection makes the price just right. I personally give it the thumbs up, and recommend it to those who like that oldschool challenge with all it's quirks and flaws.