OR: Another game that was announced at E3 [2017] was The End is Nigh, coming for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch. What is this game about?
Nicalis (Monica): This game is about collecting tumors to create little friends. That’s the only thing I can really say. You collect tumors – its actually being created by Edmund McMillen. So if you guys are hardcore The Binding of Issac fans, this definitely has the challenge that fans would expect. It’s really fun, it looks beautiful, it has a really unique art style. I think everyone’s really going to like it.
OR: It was mentioned online that there’s six-hundred plus levels for this game. Are these all preplanned levels, or are they procedurally generated, or…?
Nicalis (Monica): They are pre-planned.
OR: There’s twenty collectable and fully collectable mini-game cartridges as well. Can you tell us a bit more about these mini-games that are included?
Nicalis (Monica): I think that is up to the fans to find out!
OR: There’s also multiple endings I believe. So how many different endings are there?
Nicalis (Monica): That’s also something they can find out too!
OR: This game is set for release on July 12th on Steam. Is there a release date for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch?
Nicalis (Monica): Q3 [2017].
OR: Another game announced is Ittle Dew 2+ for the Nintendo Switch. What is this game about?
Nicalis (Monica): Ittle Dew 2+ is a game where, if you like the Legend of Zelda series, then you’ll like [Ittle Dew 2+]. It’s developed by a studio called Ludosity, and they have a very unique sense of humor that I think everybody will enjoy. Also it’s an open world – you can go to any dungeon at any time. Every dungeon can also be completed with your starting weapon. So if you want a challenge, you can try to complete [Ittle Dew 2+] with just your starting weapon. It’s a lot of puzzles – you can visit NPCs, go to their houses. The game is also very self-aware, which is very fun. So the humor, I think, will appeal to a lot of people who are familiar with that genre [of game], who will appreciate the characters knowing the tropes that they are acting out.
OR: This game was originally released on the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One, and the PC. Are there any new editions or updates coming to the Nintendo Switch version?
Nicalis (Monica): Yes. For the Nintendo Switch, it will exclusively have extra features like an extra dungeon, more puzzles, and there might be some cards that you will collect as well.
OR: When is [Ittle Dew 2+] set for release on the Nintendo Switch?
Nicalis (Monica): This is also coming out in Q3 [2017].
OR: Finally, y’all also announced Tiny Barbarians DX for the Nintendo Switch. What is this game about?
Nicalis (Monica): Tiny Barbarians DX is a platformer, an homage to ‘old school’ [platformers]. So it has really beautiful pixel graphics. You’re playing as a little barbarian going through various worlds [and] trying to impress the damsel, fighting enemies along the way. There’s also multiplayer, which is local co-op – which is really fun.
The cool thing is that every level plays – it feels different when you play with two players. So it has a really high replay value. Some levels are easier with two players, some are harder. It’s a really fun game. It can get pretty difficult, but there’s always – each world is very unique, so you never feel like you’re visiting the same place twice.
OR: How does the co-op work in this game?
Nicalis (Monica): So both players are on the same screen. The cool thing about multiplayer- there’s a command where there is a hand-grab. So if one player jumps on a ledge, and the other player can’t reach it normally – like you couldn’t in one player, there’s a move where you can reach out your hand to tag team it and pull them up and over. And you can jump in and out whenever you want. They share the life bar. After you both enter, then you can build up your own individual health. It’s double trouble!
“So I think the passion and excitement that [Tyrone Rodriguez] wanted, especially with Cave Story+ and The Binding of Issac+, he wanted to make that happen and provide it to fans as early as possible [on the Nintendo Switch].”
OR: This game was originally released on the PC. Are there any new additions for the Nintendo Switch version?
Nicalis (Monica): The Nintendo Switch version will have the complete version, and it will also have challenges that you can do. And I feel like the multiplayer aspect can be most enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch, so that’s something we highly recommend when you play with your friends.
OR: Going back to Blade Strangers for just a moment – have there been any consideration to bringing it to the PlayStation Pro or the Xbox One X?
Nicalis (Monica): That is probably something that is up to Studio Saizensen as well.
OR: Stepping back in time a little more – in 2013, a game was announced for localization on Twitter called Yatagarasu: Legend of Raven for the PlayStation Vita. Has there been any update on the localization for that title?
Nicalis (Monica): We haven’t really been focused on that.
OR: More recently on Twitter, in April, y’all teased a Binding of Issac amiibo figure. Is there any update on [an amiibo] figure coming out?
Nicalis (Monica): Not from us, but you never know- Tyrone always has something up his sleeve.
OR: You’ve come on board with the Nintendo Switch fairly early on, before most publishers did and even before anyone knew if the Switch would be a success or not. What caused [Nicalis] to get on board with the Switch so early in the process?
Nicalis (Monica): Tyrone Rodriquez has been in the gaming industry for a ridiculous length of time – probably more than twenty-five years. And he was part of the original Nintendo marketing team, so he really loves games on Nintendo. So I think the passion and excitement that he wanted, especially with Cave Story+ and The Binding of Issac+, he wanted to make that happen and provide it to fans as early as possible. And I think that we will continue doing that.
OR: Is there anything else that I haven’t asked you that you would like to tell our readers?
Nicalis (Monica): I hope you look forward to our games!
Are you excited for any of Nicalis’ upcoming releases? Who would you like to see make an appearance in Blade Strangers?
Let us know in the comments below!
