It is no secret that shooter video games have come a long way and now offer a realistic action-packed experience. However, despite the popularity of modern shooter games today, there is still a longing for those classic shoot 'em ups that evoke a sense of nostalgia among players. Next year, Pixelheart Studios and Picorinne Soft are releasing Andro Dunos 2, a side-scrolling shooter game serving as a sequel to the 1992 original.
In an interview with Game Rant, developer Ryo of Picorinne Soft discussed why the studio decided to revive the Andro Dunos franchise, 28 years later. The developer also went into detail as to what players can expect from Andro Dunos 2 in terms of story, gameplay, and art style.
Andro Dunos 2: The Return of a Franchise, 28 Years Later
For several years now, it has been common for video game developers to reimagine some of their back catalogs by giving them a fresh coat of paint in the form of remakes and remasters. In the last couple of years, Capcom has succeeded in remaking its classic Resident Evil games, offering those who weren't able to experience the original a chance to enjoy these iconic games.
However, it is uncommon for video game publishers and developers to revive a franchise that has remained dormant for decades and develop a sequel. When asked why it took Picorinne Soft several years to make a sequel to Andro Dunos, developer Ryo said that he has been waiting for a chance that a publisher would one day take notice of Andro Dunos 2 and fund its revival. Luckily for Picorinne Soft, publisher Pixel Heart Studios reached out to the development team to express their interest in publishing Andro Dunos 2.
I've always been waiting for the chance that one day a publisher would still be interested in the license. And that day came when Pixel Heart knocked on my door and offered to make a second Andro Dunos game.
Andro Dunos 2: The Story, Gameplay, and Art Style
One thing that Ryo made clear about Andro Dunos 2 is that despite the game being developed in 2021, the team is designing it as if the game would come out in the '90s. As a result, Ryo said that players should expect the same aesthetics and gameplay mechanics in Andro Dunos 2. Still, some changes have been implemented to make it more approachable and accessible to modern gamers.
One of the most significant changes is Andro Dunos 2's difficulty settings. Ryo said that he tried to adjust the difficulty level and combat mechanics to not be too complicated compared to modern shooters. Another change that Picorinne Soft implemented in Andro Dunos 2 is a reworked equipment and bomb system, making the game concise and easy to play. Ryo also explained that during development, Andro Dunos 2 was not influenced by any modern shooters, especially since he has created several shooter games in the past and is familiar with the know-how of what makes a good shooter game.
Ryo also highlighted that since the developers of Andro Dunos 2 are the same as the original, players can expect the sequel to have that authentic feel, with the hopes of transporting players back in time and experience the joys of a classic shoot 'em up. Additionally, Andro Dunos 2 follows the story of the first game, and there will be many original characters, with some having similarities to those from Andro Dunos. Finally, the Ryo made sure that Andro Dunos 2 followed the original's art style to ensure players wouldn't feel that 28 years had passed in between the games.
Not only did I pay attention to the stages, but each stage also has a large boss to make the gameplay more exciting. The art style has been carefully observed from the first game and there are plenty of similar and original characters.
Andro Dunos 2 is releasing in early 2022 for 3DS, Dreamcast, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.