We Love It's Guide to…
As archaeologist Lemeza, explore a sprawling ruin, decode scattered clues, fight guardians, and evade traps in a 2D adventure.
Released 15 Apr 2013
Decode Ancient Tablets
Explore Interconnected Ruins
Uncover Hidden Passages
LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.
Developed by NIGORO · Published by PLAYISM







You play as archaeologist Lemeza Kosugi, searching the ancient ruins of La-Mulana for the Secret Treasure of Life. The sprawling 2D world links together distinct areas filled with monsters, traps, relics, and hidden routes.
Exploration and puzzle-solving drive the adventure. Tablets, dialogue, and details in the environment offer clues, which may connect to puzzles elsewhere or become useful much later. You investigate rooms, uncover mechanisms, and use discoveries to open routes and reach new areas.
Platforming and combat add physical challenges as you navigate hazards, fight enemies, and face guardians. You collect items and abilities along the way, while the ruins’ open-ended progression encourages revisiting places with new tools or a better understanding of earlier clues.
Players who enjoy La-Mulana often praise the satisfaction of solving its layered, far-reaching puzzles and the sense of discovery in exploring its sprawling ruins. Reviews also frequently appreciate the pixel-art environments, soundtrack, and boss fights. Others find the cryptic clues and long backtracking frustrating, and criticize the stiff movement and punishing hazards; reactions to the game’s demanding design are sharply divided.



| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 64 |
| Age ratings |
|
| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 1 listed on Steam |
| Metacritic | 80/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |