Machinarium 2 Announced by Amanita Design After Seventeen Years
Brno-based studio Amanita Design has announced Machine 2, a direct sequel to its acclaimed 2009 puzzle adventure game. Seventeen years after the original title introduced players to the robot Josef, studio founder and game designer Jakub Dvorský unveiled the project during the Triple-i Initiative digital showcase, as reported by Hospodářské noviny. The sequel brings back Josef alongside his partner, Berta, sending the duo into a mysterious valley after a helicopter crash strands them far from home. We’re not getting any younger and the world seems to be ending, so if there was ever a time to make Machinarium 2, it’s now. We also want to thank all the players who have been patiently waiting for it all these years. We couldn’t have done it without them,
remarked Jakub Dvorský regarding the announcement.
The Journey Into Oilton and Elektrona
Picking up where the original story left off, the sequel finds Josef and Berta searching for a new home to escape past hardships. Refresher.cz reported that after their helicopter crash on a cliffside, the robotic pair descends into a hidden valley divided between two distinct factions. One group occupies the rocky sanctuary of the Elektrona monastery, while the other inhabits the industrial depths of Oilton city. Both communities face a critical energy shortage, driving the central conflict of the narrative.
Cooperative Puzzle Mechanics and Gamepad Controls
Unlike the first game, which focused solely on Josef’s solo quest to rescue Berta, the sequel introduces cooperative mechanics. Doupě.cz noted that players will switch between both characters, utilizing their unique skills to solve logic puzzles. While the game maintains classic point-and-click mouse controls, developers recommend using a gamepad. Controlling Josef and Berta simultaneously with separate thumbsticks mirrors the control scheme found in titles like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. The characters will communicate using the style of the first installment through babbling, gestures, and comic-bubble animations.
Hand-Drawn Visuals and Steam Wishlist Surge
Amanita Design preserves its signature aesthetic, featuring intricate, hand-drawn graphics inspired by Renaissance landscape painting. Tomáš Dvořák, known as Floex, returns to compose the musical score. According to Refresher.cz, player enthusiasm quickly propelled the game past 100,000 wishlists on Steam within two days of its reveal trailer, which garnered over one million views. SteamDB rankings placed Machine 2 among the fastest-growing titles on the platform, landing at the 38th spot.
Release Platforms and Pricing for the Original
Machine 2 is currently in development for PC, though Amanita Design has not yet announced an official release date. Fans can add the title to their Steam wishlist. Meanwhile, the original 2009 game is available at a discounted price of approximately 6 euros for players looking to experience Josef’s first journey before the sequel launches, as detailed by Doupě.cz.
Frequently Asked Questions About Machinarium 2
When will Machinarium 2 be released?
Amanita Design has not yet announced a release date for the sequel. The game was revealed during the Triple-i Initiative presentation and is currently available to wishlist on Steam for PC players, as reported by Doupě.cz.
How does the new two-character control system work?
Players control both Josef and Berta simultaneously, with each character possessing distinct abilities required for solving logic-based puzzles. Developers recommend using a gamepad, which assigns each robot to a separate thumbstick for cooperative movement.
What is the storyline of the sequel?
The plot follows Josef and Berta after they crash-land a helicopter into a desolate valley following their escape from Machinarium. They must navigate down an expansive cliffside into a region containing two struggling robot settlements, Elektrona and Oilton, both of which face severe energy shortages.
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