La-Mulana EX

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28

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  1. MrFlankster
    Mar 14, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best handheld games of all time.... who knows, maybe even THE best. The more I play it, the more I'm blown away by it's complexity and depth. Just for kicks, I downloaded Shovel Knight for the 3DS. That got me itchin' for a platforming game with RPG elements. I downloaded Castlevania, Dust, rogue legacy, and many more. I came across this gem of a game and can't stopThis is one of the best handheld games of all time.... who knows, maybe even THE best. The more I play it, the more I'm blown away by it's complexity and depth. Just for kicks, I downloaded Shovel Knight for the 3DS. That got me itchin' for a platforming game with RPG elements. I downloaded Castlevania, Dust, rogue legacy, and many more. I came across this gem of a game and can't stop playing.... meaning "Dark Souls-can't-stop-playing."

    It's that good. Exploration? Check. RPG? Check. Action? Check. Addicting gameplay? Check. Hidden secrets? Check. Difficulty? CHECK AND CHECK. This game has it all. If you liked 2d games with Metroidvania aspects. This is a great game. If you like the feel of Dark Souls exploration. This is the game for you. It's crazy that this game is so unknown by the majority of the gamer community.

    TOTAL SLEEPER HIT. This is one of those cult classic games that could come out of nowhere and get GOTY nods.

    LOVE IT. For $20, this game is a steal.    … Expand
  2. Richard_chronos
    Sep 8, 2015
    9
    This is without doubt my favorite game of all time, I play the original version on the PC, the remake on Wii and then on PC again, and now once again I played and finished on the Vita, the same beautiful and challenging game that I love

    seriously if you love challenge and hate hand holding like in most modern games, this is for you. but this time I can't give it a perfect score, I    This is without doubt my favorite game of all time, I play the original version on the PC, the remake on Wii and then on PC again, and now once again I played and finished on the Vita, the same beautiful and challenging game that I love

    seriously if you love challenge and hate hand holding like in most modern games, this is for you.

    but this time I can't give it a perfect score, I found some really annoying problems with the music looping or stopping before time in some areas that includes special effects , especially in the final boss battle which honestly, breaks a little the immersion but out of that is really good I also noticed some changes in the game but I understand that they tried to make more simply some puzzles for the newbies, which is perfectly fine, out of that everything remains the same and I personally love it    … Expand
  3. Dentorehedge
    Oct 8, 2015
    10
    Huh. This game has been out for a while, and the professional reviews all do it justice for the most part, so I won't detail any of the reasons here why this remains my favorite game ever (so far).

    What is strange, is that the original Wii version, with the least content, received an 87 on Metacritic, while the PC version, that contained huge additional content, less than half of the    Huh. This game has been out for a while, and the professional reviews all do it justice for the most part, so I won't detail any of the reasons here why this remains my favorite game ever (so far).

    What is strange, is that the original Wii version, with the least content, received an 87 on Metacritic, while the PC version, that contained huge additional content, less than half of the few bugs the Wii version had (at the time of launch now less), was scored at 80, even though it is almost objectively better. This last version, which has the benefits of being on a current gen console, almost no bugs, all of the previously added bonus content, re-balanced game-play, and an expanded story-- has a 77. ?
    This game is popular enough to be one of the first greenlit titles (and the first one developed in Japan), be picked up for a humble bundle, be the #1 seller since the launch of a a distribution service, inspire a cult of fans (such as myself), and have a sequel funded on kickstarter~~~ so why on earth is this pattern on Metacritic so strange?

    Likely it is due to the standards of each of these reviewers who specialize in certain consoles, but the fact that there is not a positive trend always flabbergasted me. Well, I know they are fair, and professionals for a reason, so their reviews function in place of mine (I reviewed the last two iterations anyway).    … Expand
  4. tobemayr
    Sep 24, 2015
    6
    Feels very dated. From the 4:3 screen ratio with the pointless frame, to the clunky handling and timing, everything shouts 'I wish it was more like Spelunky'
    Too bad as the adventure aspect definitely draws you in.
  5. Amel_P
    Jun 21, 2016
    10
    If you enjoy metroidvania style games you have to give this one a try. After playing Castlevania:SoTN a few years back I have been searching or that same experience, and while I have played a few very enjoyable games in the genre none have matched the overall experience of SoTN (not even the GBA games). That is until La Mulana, I was instantly hooked after the first few minutes of the gameIf you enjoy metroidvania style games you have to give this one a try. After playing Castlevania:SoTN a few years back I have been searching or that same experience, and while I have played a few very enjoyable games in the genre none have matched the overall experience of SoTN (not even the GBA games). That is until La Mulana, I was instantly hooked after the first few minutes of the game and it has become an addiction that can only be satisfied with another mystery solved and any progress made how ever little it may be sometimes.

    The game is really difficult when it comes to the puzzles they can be very vague and every tidbit you read through the ruins just seems to add to the confusion at time, but that makes it all the more satisfying when you discover something knew and the thought of what else might I discover with this new item I just found. The game is not lacking in content as many players will spend 60-90 hours just to clear the game, tons of items and some really interesting lore.

    The platforming is not difficult while the bosses will provide a challenge you will most of the times be stuck due to the puzzles and not a difficult platforming section. The controls may seem odd at first but you really get the hang of it quick and realize they are pretty tight if just a bit different from what your used to in modern games. Its definitely a throwback to some retro games, you are committed to your jumps and cannot change direction mid air but like I said the platforming is not difficult in the game and I never found myself wishing for better controls.

    I am very satisfied with the game and think its definitely worth the full price if this is your kind of game, give it a try im sure you will not be disappointed and try to go as far as you can without looking up a guide it will be that much better.    … Expand
  6. Tsukiumi0
    Nov 2, 2018
    3
    Came here just to say La Mulana is the worst game I've played in a while, and don't even say it is because I only play modern garbage so I couldn't understand such a "masterpiece".
    I'm a big fan of old school games, I like exploration (Super Metroid might be my favorite game ever), but something just feels off about this game.
    Terrible, I mean TERRIBLE controls ruin the experience from    Came here just to say La Mulana is the worst game I've played in a while, and don't even say it is because I only play modern garbage so I couldn't understand such a "masterpiece".
    I'm a big fan of old school games, I like exploration (Super Metroid might be my favorite game ever), but something just feels off about this game.
    Terrible, I mean TERRIBLE controls ruin the experience from the very beginning, you can get used to them, but something like this shouldn't happen.
    Some puzzles are unfair and make no sense, in some games, when you aren't able to solve a puzzle, you may watch a guide and say "oh, I can't believe y missed that", but with La Mulana's puzzles, your reaction will be more like "SERIOUSLY?!", a bunch of this puzzles are cryptic and have no logic whatsoever, reminds me of Castlevania 2, you will be wandering around for hours until you eventually watch a guide and proceed, just to realize you couldn't have solved the puzzle without said guide unless you did it by accident.
    I've seen lots of love for this game, but I really think it is overrated, you may enjoy it if you have the patience to assimilate its flaws and get used to its overall poor gameplay design, but personally I wouldn't recommend it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PS Vita Game of 2015
20
#20 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2015
12
#12 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 30, 2015
    85
    La-Mulana EX brings back great feelings of previous iterations, ongoing challenges and complex level design. This title is a must have for all 8-bit era fans.
    Read full review
  2. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    May 26, 2015
    80
    A little tomb raiding may sound fun. But there's nobody here to hold your hand, you dig? [May 2015, p77]
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    May 20, 2015
    80
    If you're a brave soul hunting a hard game to treasure, you'll find what you seek in La-Mulana. [May 2015, p.87]
See all critic reviews »