Rogue-lite platformer Spelunky 2 won’t be releasing in 2019 as planned. According to designer Derek Yu, the game is getting close but requires additional density and detail before it’s ready for the public.
The title was announced at Paris Games Week in 2017, with a gameplay trailer the following year targeting a 2019 release. As well as the changes mentioned, Yu says he’s been implementing feedback on the trailer that called for more contrast and fidelity.
“Hey, Spelunky fans! Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to get to release Spelunky 2 this year. Development is still going well and we’re not far off target, but the density and detail of the game is demanding more time,” he said on Twitter.
“I took in the feedback about the environments from the trailer, and while I still love the overall style, we’ve been adding more detail, as well as increasing the contrast to make existing details pop (some were pretty subtle and compression wasn’t friendly to them)!”
Understandably, Yu wasn’t quick to pen a new release date for the title, promising he’ll let fans know as soon as he can. Among other things, they can look forward to rideable mounts and a gun that fires cats.
We sat down with Yu at GDC earlier this year when he walked through some of the major additions. Among the largest is a ‘second layer’ to the game – hidden gates that transport you to another world below.
Hey, Spelunky fans! Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to get to release Spelunky 2 this year. Development is still going well and we're not far off target, but the density and detail of the game is demanding more time.
Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/BJvsHUWAY0
— Derek Yu (@mossmouth) August 14, 2019
He also said one of the installment’s focuses is approachability for new players. The mentioned graphical changes are likely to help with that, making it easier to see exactly what you’re doing.
While the delay is a disappointment, fans appear generally supportive. The updated graphics shared with the announcement look promising, and more time should translate to a better game at launch.