14 DAY TRIAL // The sequel to the popular side-scroller Teslagrad is just around the corner, but if you want get a taste of what’s to come, a demo is now available for download via Steam. Teslagrad 2 is everything the original was and then some. Keeping the same metroidvania side-scrolling platformer playstyle, the upcoming game from developer Rain Games shapes up to be a nice addition to the indie franchise.
Rooted in Norse mythology, Teslagrad 2 refines the formula that made the first game so popular among fans of the genre. I spent around an hour playing the demo available during Steam Next Fest and was pretty impressed by the gameplay experience.
In Teslagrad 2, you step into the boots of Lumina, a young Teslamancer whose airship is attacked by pirates. Surviving the crash is just the first step of Lumina’s journey back home. Those who played Rain’s previous title, World to the West, might remember Lumina who was last seen traveling home in her airship. Teslagrad 2 picks up from where World to the West left off, but I feel like you don’t really need to have played Rain’s previous game to enjoy the Teslagrad sequel.
Anyway, our fresh castaway loses her airship to pirates and most of her equipment. Luckily, her boots lie nearby and so the first piece of her Teslamancy gear is recovered quickly. It will allow you to blink through objects and enemies, but they’re also meant to allow you to reach ledges that are usually too high up for a normal jump.
Teslagrad 2 plays like a typical metroidvania platformer, but I’d say it’s a lot heavier on puzzles. As Lumina starts picking up new gear and unlocks electromagnetic abilities, puzzles become more complex and demanding. Some of them require perfect execution, but I have yet to encounter a hard enough puzzle to make me rage.
Most of the time the frustration comes from the fact that you need to redo some puzzles if you drop too low in the level. All the puzzles in the game are physics-based and don’t really require fast execution, so I appreciate the fact that you can play at your own pace.
Just like in every other metroidvania game, you’ll stumble upon blocked areas that can’t be accessed until you unlock certain abilities. The demo gives you access to three abilities that will help you explore the Norse-inspired world. There are also secrets and hidden collectibles throughout many levels, but also lore that enrich the experience.
It’s important to mention that Teslagrad 2 is a non-violent game, which means there’s no combat. There are enemies that populate some areas, but you have to outrun, jump over or simply blink through them. Lumina’s only way to do damage is some sort of shield, which means you’ll have to be close to enemies.
What makes this even more frustrating is that there are actual boss battles in Teslagrad 2, so like it or not, you’ll eventually have to learn this mechanic. But other than that, there are no weapons in the game, as the main focus is challenging the player’s logic skills through complex puzzles.
Graphics-wise, Teslagrad 2 is extremely pleasant to the eyes. I do like the art style very much, although I’m a bit confused by the fact that developers have decided to tell Lumina’s story only through visual means, as there’s no text or voiceover in the game.
Conclusion
While I’m not against removing combat completely, having to fight bosses with a sub-par mechanic feels like a downgrade to the formula. Other than that, Teslagrad 2 is definitely a game that I’m looking forward to play when it releases later this year.
Preview key provided by the publisher
