After a 17-year hiatus, Amanita Design has announced Machinarium 2, the sequel to its acclaimed 2007 wordless adventure game. Studio CEO Jakub Dvorský cited a sense of urgency, stating, "We're not getting any younger, and the world seems to be ending, so if we were ever going to make Machinarium 2, now is the right time." He also expressed gratitude to the patient fanbase, acknowledging that the game "couldn't have done it without them."
The sequel picks up after the original game's conclusion, with protagonists Josef and Berta crash-landing in a hidden valley. This new area contains two robot tribes, one residing in the Elektrona monastery and the other in the city of Oilton. Both communities face an uncertain future as their power sources dwindle.
Machinarium 2 will retain the point-and-click puzzle gameplay of its predecessor, but with a key difference: players can now switch between controlling Josef and Berta at will. The pair will need to cooperate to overcome the game's challenges. The distinctive art style that defined the original is returning, with visuals described as perhaps sharper but maintaining the beloved aesthetic. Tomáš Dvořák, also known as Floex, returns as composer to craft the soundtrack, a crucial element that contributed to the original Machinarium's memorable atmosphere.
Dvořák described the process of creating music for the sequel as an opportunity to have fun, much like his approach to the original. He noted the challenge of avoiding comparisons to his past work and the tendency for doubts to emerge. "Experience has taught me that the best way to create is to simply 'have fun'," he stated.
Rather than viewing Machinarium 2 solely as a sequel, Dvořák sees it as a "beautiful project" offering a chance to create a specific musical universe influenced by the game's visuals. While the new soundtrack carries a familiar tone, Dvořák aimed for it to be "more melodic and musical" through increased simplicity, a difficult goal to achieve. He also acknowledged that his own maturity as an artist contributes to the music feeling "more mature."
Machinarium 2 does not yet have a release date but is available for wishlisting on Steam. Amanita Design's existing catalog, including the original Machinarium, is currently available for purchase at discounted prices until October 15.