Early this March, developer Picorinne Soft and publisher PixelHeart Studios announced thatAndro Dunos 2is currently in development. For the uninitiated, the upcoming gameserves as a follow-up to 1992’sAndro Dunos, which is a scrolling shoot ‘em up that was developed by Visco Corporation and published by SNK.
In an interview with Game Rant, developer Ryo from Picroinne Soft shared why he decided to revive theAndro Dunosfranchise 28 years later after releasing the first game. Ryo also discussedAndro Dunos 2’srelease to the Sega Dreamcastalongside modern platforms and everything players should expect from the game in terms of story, stages, combat mechanics, and art style. The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.
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GR: Why has it taken 28 years for a sequel to be made, and why do it now?
A: 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 PixelHeart knocked on my door and offered to make a secondAndro Dunosgame.
GR: What features or elements from the original game were kept in the sequel?
A: Basically, it follows the first game. However, the specifications of the bombs have changed from the first game.
GR: How will Andro Dunos 2 balance the nostalgic gameplay of the original while keeping the experience fresh?
A: This game is new for 2021, but I made it so that itseems likeAndro Dunos 2came out in the 90s. I want the player’s mind to go back in time. However, I tried to adjust the difficulty level and system so that it would not be too complicated compared to recent shooters.
GR: Are there any modern scrolling shooter games that inspired Andro Dunos 2?
A. There areno particular influences from recent shooters. However, I (the development team) am an indie team that has created several shooters, so I used that know-how to make this game.
GR: What should players expect from Andro Dunos 2 in terms of story, setting, and gameplay?
A. The game has a consistently retro style, but the equipment and bomb systems are concise and easy to play. Expect a game that is easy to understand and play.
GR: Tell us about the locations players will explore in Andro Dunos 2 and what has inspired the art style of the game?
A: Not only did I pay attention to the stages, but each stage also has a large boss. These will 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.
GR: Andro Dunos 2 will feature music from Allister Brimble. Tell us why the studio chose him to compose the game’s music and how it compliments the gameplay?
A: He prepared the music to match the stages. So I think the feeling of playing each stage is very much combined with the music.
GR: Why is Andro Dunos 2 releasing on the Dreamcast apart from modern consoles? Do you think there is still demand on that platform?
A: The retrogaming community is very passionate and alive! It is so invested in the production of new games on old consoles that we can say that it participates in the development of these games.The Dreamcast communityworldwide is really great, and it’s been asking for shoot ‘em ups for years. So we tried to please them.
GR: Is Andro Dunos 2 the revival of the franchise? Should players expect more Andro Dunos games in the future?
A: I don’t know about you, but I thinkthe revival of past titles has a very promising future. At leastAndro Dunosis getting the attention it deserves, which is hard to believe in 2021. Nevertheless, I find that spirit of challenge in Pixel Heart interesting.
GR: Any updates on Andro Dunos 2’s release date? And are there plans to release it on other platforms such as the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X?
GR: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A. After 28 years, it’s back, and I’m honored to be a part of its development. I hope more and more people will enjoy the game.
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Andro Dunos 2is releasing in early 2022 for 3DS, Dreamcast, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
