#teslagrad 2

[prokopetz]

For the "physics based precision puzzle platformers starring red-haired women who can air dash" fandom, Teslagrad 2 just dropped on Steam completely out of nowhere.

[malcolmschmitz]

Hey, Tumblr! I previewed an indie puzzle platformer/Metroidvania for EIP gaming. It's called Teslagrad 2, and it's what you get when you put Celeste and Portal in a blender with a dash of Viking aesthetics.

[gameboymania]

[blueeyedrat]

Steam Next Fest, winter 2023, continued. More notes under the cut.

(Part 1)

Worldless – Alright, this is an odd one. The visual design is very striking and distinct, and there's some interesting exploration and platforming, almost all of which is conveyed in a minimal, abstract manner which can be tricky to parse at first glance, and at times feels like a puzzle in itself. That all works well enough, but the game also has combat encounters and character progression which seem much more complex, but are handled with the same amount of abstraction. It's an interesting system (a bit of a hybrid of various RPG mechanics, turn-based and active time) and I sort of understood what it was trying to teach me, but it always felt like I was missing something — and I can't tell if it was because I didn't have the tools for it, or didn't have the proper knowledge to use them, which feels a bit frustrating at times. I admire the commitment to the style, but I'm not 100% sold on it just yet. If they do stick the landing, it could be something very unique and interesting.

Remote Planets – A sokoban puzzle game. I'm not hard to please when it comes to games like this — give me a sokoban game with at least one unique gimmick and some good puzzle design, and I'm satisfied (some good music or art always helps, too). Remote Planets has the gameplay, the gimmick, and the puzzles, so I'm satisfied.

The Star Named EOS – A point-and-click puzzle game. I'm vaguely familiar with this dev's previous work (Behind the Frame), but I never gave it a full look. If that game was anything like this one, I might have to try it at some point. It's quite well put together, with good art and some interesting puzzles.

Teslagrad 2 – Now this one, I'm quite familiar with its predecessor. One of them, anyway. I played the first Teslagrad several years ago and liked it a lot (never got around to that one spinoff game, though). Some good puzzle-platforming to be had, and the sequel looks to pick up where the first game left off. New challenges, new magnets and physics puzzles, and a decade's worth of art upgrades. What's not to like?

Plan B: Terraform – I've been looking for some city-builders to add to my list. This... probably won't be one of them. I like the concept, but the game starts you off with very little to work with, and the process of building up resources felt rather tedious. Placing extractors and factories and depots to create supply lines sounds interesting, but something about it felt like it wasn't working right or was way too restrictive. Maybe I'm missing something. Either way, I don't think this one is for me.

Chants of Sennaar – This game, on the other hand, feels laser-targeted towards me specifically. It's a puzzle adventure game about deciphering glyphs and languages in a Babel-esque tower. Neography and constructed scripts used to be an interest of mine. Honestly it still is, I just haven't had time for it in a while — I'd like to reboot that old worldbuilding project of mine some day. Either way, a game like this appeals to me immediately (see also: Heaven's Vault, Sethian, the cipher language in TUNIC to a lesser extent, all of which I also have yet to play), and Sennaar in particular seems like a really cool realization of the concept. A neat style and setting, some interesting puzzles about languages and interpretation, and the promise of multiple languages to decipher and more elaborate puzzles further down the line. If any of that sounds interesting to you, I recommend this one very highly.

[choxeltreats]

ow

[miketendo-64]

[EXPlay] Teslagrad 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Does it spark joy or is it absolutely shocking? @jonathanober enlightens us all about #Teslagrad2 on #NintendoSwitch in his explain & play review

Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading. In this explanatory review, we’re covering Teslagrad 2 by developer RAIN…

[hardcoregamer]

Review: Teslagrad 2

Nearly a decade on, Teslagrad 2 strides into view where the original left off, with a modest but still entertaining palette of magnetism-based gameplay and precision-platforming alike. A justifiable approach from Rain Games in parts given how easy it is to grapple with, though one that isn’t as bold and surprising a second time round — lacking the broader creativity a sequel of its nature could have and should have brought. 

Keep reading!

[crossflux]

I’M SHOCKED!!! Teslagrad 2 is better than I thought it would be!

[linuxgamenews]

Teslagrad 2 is gearing up to give players a chance to take on adventure

Teslagrad 2 action platformer game for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC, will have a Demo for Steam Next Fest. All thanks to the commitment of developer Rain Games. Due to makes its way onto Steam. Ten years and 2+ million sales later, lightning has struck twice. Teslagrad 2, the long-awaited sequel to indie hit Teslagrad, will be in players’ hands for the first time. Doing so with a demo at Steam Next Fest: 2023 (February 6-13). While the full release will be launching this spring on Linux, Mac, Windows PC, and Steam Deck verified. Fans of the Teslagrad universe will regain the familiar feeling of wonder in Teslagrad 2. While delving into the pleasing gameplay and world on display. But they are also sure to be surprised, as well. After a decade of new thoughts, ideas, and lessons Rain has done so since the release of the original title. The world has also grown and changed. Now making the game as available to new players as well as returning.

Teslagrad 2 - Announcement Trailer

Teslagrad 2 stars Lumina, a hero known to players familiar with earlier title World to the West. We last saw her on an airship traveling home. While Teslagrad 2 picks up after she is shot down in an uncharted land. Lumina’s journey will see her use the forgotten art of Teslamancy. All while using the electromagnetic abilities to solve baffling physics-based puzzles. As well as searching winding caves and industrial chambers. Outsmarting odd enemies and traps awaiting her. The Teslagrad 2 hand-drawn visuals use pastels and muted tones to bring nature to life. As well as steampunk visions of Old Europe inspired by Scandinavian culture and folklore. Lumina’s command of Teslamancy makes working through Teslagrad 2’s somber settings feel unique and fun. While allowing players to shape realistic physics and unique powers. Due to work around obstacles and surviving surreal dangers. Wishlist action platformer game now on Steam. You will be able to play the Dmo starting on February 6, 2023.

[enbeemerang]

People need to shut up and let indie devs have their moment. You can wait another few months or however long it takes for silksong. Developing a game takes time, theres no need to trash on every other game and spam about silksong in live chats.

[dycodragon]

I just think Lumina should convince her dad to adopt Huldr...

[ramuterasu]

I enjoy realizing a puzzle solution after you've walked away from said puzzle

[prokopetz]

Can we get a dedicated tag for pixel-art precision puzzle platformers starring red-haired women who can air dash?

There's very little chance I'll remember to use it, but I'll give it a shot! In the meantime, here's a reference list of qualifying titles I've talked about in the past:

Aeon Drive

Altered Alma (forthcoming)

Celeste

Emberbane (forthcoming)

Ineth (forthcoming)

Rubi: The Wayward Mira (forthcoming)

Rune Fencer Illyia (forthcoming)

A Sister's Journey (forthcoming; demo available)

Sunblaze

Teslagrad 2

(Honourable mentions go to Vermillion Descent, whose qualifications depend on whether you consider propelling oneself bodily through the air with the recoil from an arm-mounted railgun to be "air dashing", and @punkitt-is-here's forthcoming Susan Taxpayer, which is a pixel-art precision puzzle platformer starring a red-haired woman with frankly unhinged movement tech, but as far as I'm aware she doesn't have an air dash per se.)

[earlgraytay]

...honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with Kingdom Hearts, because one of the things I love about it most is also its greatest flaw

like, KH runs on two things:

exploration of a series of iconic, highly stylized, unique worlds, with your anime tween protagonist serving as the viewpoint that connects them all together

anime middle-grade sff FRIENDSHIPS given the weight, destiny, and pathos of romantic relationships in adult media (including some tragic ones!)

and they're both great, and when the two are balanced correctly you get some incredibly meaningful, passionate stories

the trouble is- and this is true of basically everything after 358/2 Days- Kingdom Hearts started to have to lean on the Anime Friendships to carry its storytelling a whole lot more than the Disney Worlds. and this really screwed things up. without being able to write anything interesting using the disney side of the equation, the games got increasingly self-referential, to the point where the Disney worlds started feeling like backdrops for the Anime Friendship drama instead of like an important part of the formula.

the characters don't feel connected to the worlds they're supposed to be visiting (and saving); they feel connected to the anime plot, sure, but the anime plot feels a little meaningless when it's so disconnected from the rest of the premise.

I'd love to see something tackle both sides of the equation- both the "baroque, heartfelt anime friendship plot" and the "diverse collection of heavily stylized worlds whose own stories intersect with the anime friendship plot"- without having to deal with Disney's restrictions

like, an indie game Kingdom Hearts that had a Cuphead level, a Teslagrad level, an Among Us level, and a The Wandering Village level?

*grabby hands*

[gochujangst]

Teslagrad 2¡!!¡

[deusvervemakesgames]

Nintendo Indie World Showcase 4.19.23 First Impressions

Mineko’s Night Market

I feel like I’ve heard of this one

This looks so fucking cozy

The island is adorable and looks like a blast to explore

Fucking government agents want my magic fat cat.

My Time At Sandrock

Didn’t My Time At Portia have some kind of controversy? Something about the Voice Actors?

Something about these textures is bothering me. The video looks blurry.

So Sandrock is meant to be taken literally then.

PENGUIN WOLVES? WHAT? What is this design. It's so dumb.

Plate Up

I didn’t know Yogscast actually published games, I thought they just promised YogsQuest and then don’t.

So this is Overcooked but with roguelite elements and Singleplayer.

Quilts And Cats of Calico

CATS

CAT

CAT ON LAP

I’m not familiar with the board game in question.

This looks fucking adorable.

Seems like a basic puzzle game but with a kitty coat of paint, and I’m down for that.

Customizable cats!

Rift of the Necrodancer

Guitar Hero is much weirder than I remember.

Correction, Rhythm Heaven is much weirder than I remember.

A Little To The Left DLC

I’ve heard about this one but it doesn’t quite seem like my thing.

Shovel Knight Puzzle Pack DLC

What.

I know nothing about this game and I’m having trouble figuring out what this game is from the footage

Cult of the Lamb: Relics of the Old Faith

I promise I did not know about this when I wrote that essay about this.

I didn’t mention it in the essay but there’s little to do post-game Cult of the Lamb so hearing they’re adding more is a good thing.

Animal Well

This looks like some kind of spooky metroidvania.

Interesting aesthetic but I feel like I’ll get sick of those scan lines.

Crime O’Clock

They call it a puzzle exploration game but it looks more like a mystery game. Or maybe a Where’s Wally/Waldo thing.

Time bending is always fun, so that’s something interesting.

Teslagrad 2

Electromagnetic physics puzzles and Scandinavian mythology and Nordic folk tunes? Holy shit.

Also that is a charming art style.

Shadows Over Loathing

Not for me but if I know anything about this developer, this one is going to be an instant classic.

Wait holy shit sudden Eldritch ‘Horror’ reveal .

Art Deco Mobsters versus eldritch horrors is a new one.

I wonder why there’s such a delay before the physical release

Blasphemous 2

I have heard so much good about their games.

New full-animation film there? Presumably the opening cutscene.

I don’t remember if Blasphemous 1 is a roguelike or a Metroidvania, and this footage isn’t helping.

Oxenfree 2

I’ve been wondering about this game for a while now because I do not understand how they could do a sequel to the plot of 1, and it turns out the answer is so much weirder than I ever could’ve guessed.

Looks almost horror, which does not surprise me.

That walkie-talkie system is going to have some spooky shit with it.

The line through the logo worries me

Paper Trail

Oh that’s cool as fuck. I love that so much

Little Kitty Big City

Stray, but not post-apocalyptic.

Untitled Cat Game?

Chants of Sennaar

Dope aesthetic, interesting puzzles(?)

Brotato

Another Vampire Survivors-like

Escape Academy

Oh they’re releasing the rest of it I guess

FNAF Security Breach

…

Do I even have anything to add

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Jet Set Radio!