We’ll be working on bringing you a review for PIxelJunk Monsters 2, so I got in touch with Q-Games to talk about the game’s development and it’s release on consoles next week. Come check our interview with the team!
PS4Blog: Hi! Thank you for joining us this morning here at PS4Blog.net. Could you please get us started by telling our readers a bit about yourself and your work?
Hi! My name is Kazushi Maeta. I am the Director of PixelJunk Monsters 2.
My work is mostly about designing the core game rules, writing the documentation that goes with it, testing the implemented features, etc. I actually show up in various different aspects of the project.
PS4B: Pixeljunk Monsters 2 is almost ready to go on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam. What can we expect from this sequel? What remains the same? What is different and how does it impact the way players approach this highly anticipated release?
One aspect of the original game that was very important for us to faithfully recreate in this new iteration was the combination between “simple rules and demanding in strategic gameplay.”
From there, bringing everything to 3D is clearly the biggest change we made. By adding variations in heights, every aspect of the gameplay now has a new impact on the strategic choices the player can make.
You can, for example, build your towers at different heights to increase their shooting range. Be sure to try to take advantage of this as you play!
Another thing is the art. We went for a stop-motion animation style that we hope you’ll appreciate. You can switch the camera to a third person view that will immerse you more into the environment and feel the action. Feel free to use it to look at things up close!
As for other gameplay elements we added, there is the “Shell Attack” Tikiman can perform by jumping on monsters. There are also the “fruits” which you can set on paths or throw directly at the monsters or even jump on yourself to trigger various effects. We also added the ability to customize Tikiman with many different Masks and Shells for players to enjoy.
The local multiplayer mode we had on the original game was popular, so we kept it (up to 2 players together). And on top of that, we added the ability for up to 4 people to play together online!
Both are cooperative play modes at their core, but you can also have fun comparing who played best at the end of each game.
PS4B: Spike Chunsoft announce it will handle publishing PIxelJunk Monsters 2 on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam. How did this deal happen?
We decided at the very beginning of the project to release on those three platforms. We were planning on developing the game with Unity, so we started on PC first and then started to work on the specificities of each platform, once we had the core game loop in place. Supporting consoles and PC is two really different things though, so for us, polishing PC while also considering consoles has been a big challenge.
PS4B: Since the game has now gone gold, are you planning any DLC for PixelJunk Monsters 2 to expand on the main content with new levels, skills or towers after the game is out in May?
We actually just announced two DLCs : the “Encore Pack” and the “Danganronpa Pack.” These will both include new stages, towers, and outfits.
I do want to make a special mention of the Danganronpa Pack, which contains a bunch of easter eggs about Monokuma and his Monokubs, with BGMs from the original games that we hope the fans will enjoy playing with.
We hope we can get the chance to go even further and making more long-lasting challenging content!
PS4B: Any chance you’ll be bringing PixelJunk Monsters proper to the Nintendo Switch for those that missed out on the game on Nintendo Wii U?
We’ve seen many people going back to the original game since we announced this sequel and also quite a lot of new players trying out the demo.
As the game releases, we’ll keep listening to players and if we see such request surfacing, as Q-Games we would be very happy to do so.
PS4B: Would it be possible to release a physical version of PixelJunk Monsters 2 on PS4 and/or Nintendo Switch? We’d love to have the game in our physical collection!
I actually want one too! It turns out a physical edition is in preparation, and will be produced by “Limited Run Games”!
Aside from a standard edition of the game, another (Collector’s) edition including an art book, the soundtrack of the game, some mini art cards and a collector’s package!
PS4B: And that’s all the time we have today. Is there something else you’d like to add before we go?
Thank you. PixelJunk Monsters 2 has inherited the combination of simple rules and highly strategic gameplay that made the success of the original with all sorts of new mechanics to boost up the fun. We are all very proud of it so. new player and old fans likewise, this opus is for you too.
Please go check the demo currently available for free on each platform!
We hope you’ll like it!
