I came into La Mulana expecting "just another" metroidvania title that had been described to me as "difficult," but what I ended up experiencing was a level of high adventure and challenge that ended up dominating my thoughts and free time for months. Before I add my voice to the choir of people who are rightfully proclaiming La Mulana as the heir apparent to the metroidvania throne, the idea of the game's "difficulty" needs to be addressed. The difficulty isn't so much a part of the platforming as it is the unraveling of the game's mysteries and is in fact one of the best aspects of this great game. While the game has all that you would expect from a good metroidvania such as tight controls, expansive areas, tons of upgrades for your character, and good music, it is the actual sense of exploration and discovery that La Mulana nails better than any metroidvania before it. You're not just exploring a ruin; you're deciphering ancient texts, solving millenia-old riddles, and applying all of that to solve the game's puzzles, of which there are legion. You're unraveling secrets of the past like a real whip-wielding archaeologist all as a fundamental part of the gameplay. This is a game where the challenge primarily rises from the need to write down copious notes in order to unlock the secrets of the ruins. It's amazing fun. Buy it.
I don't write reviews; I just don't do them; it's a waste of time and I'm not good with words. Having said that, my God, this game is amazing. How can something so filled with detail possibly exist? This game is a masterpiece and you owe it to yourself to take the time required to understand why. Buy it and reap the rewards.
