Czech studio Amanita Design has announced Machinarium 2, a surprise sequel to its critically acclaimed 2009 point-and-click adventure game. The announcement comes 17 years after the original's release, which followed the story of Josef, a small robot attempting to save his city from a nefarious group.
Amanita Design, known for its distinctive hand-drawn art, atmospheric soundtracks, and wordless storytelling, revealed the sequel via their X account with a short video showcasing their signature art style and a link to a new Steam page. The studio is also responsible for other popular titles such as Samorost, Botanicula, Chuchel, and Creaks, as well as this year's Phonopolis.
The narrative of Machinarium 2 will pick up after Josef and his companion Berta escape the city. The sequel finds them crash-landing in a new location known as the Barrens, where they will discover a hidden valley inhabited by two distinct robot tribes. These tribes, one residing in an elevated monastery and the other in the valley below, are both experiencing power shortages.
For the first time in the series, players will be able to control both Josef and Berta, switching between them at will to collaborate on solving the game's puzzles. Communication will continue to be wordless, conveyed through thought-bubble pictographs, a hallmark of Amanita Design's accessible and intriguing gameplay.
Amanita Design has a precedent for revisiting its established franchises after significant gaps. The Samorost series saw its third installment arrive in 2016, 11 years after its predecessor. This history fuels hope for potential sequels to other beloved titles like Botanicula and especially Chuchel, which the source notes is a particularly humorous game.
No release date has yet been provided for Machinarium 2.