The best Russian platformer! The last time I had this much fun was with "A Hat in Time".

Russian? VEA games is located in cyprus, and the publisher is from amsterdam.

...

I have one smal inquiry, I noticed on the store page that Italian localization is reported as being present for text-only, and not with audio, unlike all the other languages.

However on Steam the game is tagged as featuring italian audio/voice-acting as well, not just text.
The same applies for the console Playstation version as well, and I had another user answer to my question in this regard confirming that the game is now dubbed in Italian on PS5 at least.

What's going on? Is this just a mistag on the GOG store page, or does the GOG version lack the italian voice acting present in (I imagine) the Steam and (for sure) the console versions?

edit 2025-04-28: the store page has been updated since this post and now states that the Italian dub is included (along with other additional dubs I believe), so all is well.

Only in some basic mechanics and aesthetics, some stage design with wall jumps feel a bit like rayman, also parachuting slowly downward while avoiding stuff and collecting totally-not-lums.

All developers are from Russia.

Most Russian dev teams are moving to work in Turkey or other neighboring countries for several reasons.

1. Hellish bureaucracy and crazy taxes.

2. Crazy printer. Constant changes in legislation. The possibility of easily ending up in prison today for what was normal just yesterday.

3. In the last couple of years, one anti-gaming law after another has been passed in Russia. All these laws are isolationist and propagandistic in nature, and they are aimed at destroying the Russian gaming industry. Essentially, it is safe to create three types of games in Russia today (without risking imprisonment): pay-to-win/mobile trash, cute games about Teletubbies, and of course, military-themed games and "patriotism". This is what can be done safely. The government even allocates budget funds for this that Russian devs can access.

I also recommend checking it out:

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%98%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%83%D1%82_%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0

This article is not available in other languages, but Google will certainly help you.

So, 95% of Russian developers who simply want to make good games are forced to do so outside of Russia. It's sad, but that's the reality today. This is not only a matter of convenience or economic stability, but often also a matter of personal safety.

It's that good?
Nice, can't wait to get the game! :)

Yep, it’s really good. It’s a mix of "Crash Bandicoot" and "Donkey Kong". At the beginning, the levels are easy, but they gradually become more difficult, and by the end, it gets really tough... There are many colorful 2.5D levels, quality level design, and nice animations. There are lots of secret rooms and mini-games. Overall, there’s a desire to replay it. Most of the mechanics are familiar to fans of similar platformers. Playing with a friend is even more fun.

Honestly i can not see whats so difficult with this game in Russia because it is not "problematic" at all. The main issue i see is simply the very low support for this industry in general because there is almost no cash to be made with. If it would at least have some "political use" it will get more support... but this is as well not the case.

America was not different... Hollywood was a lot of propaganda... do not forget it. However, there was no need "enforcing" or "supporting" it because it pretty much was self sustainable. Which was not hard during the "golden age" of Hollywood. This time is unfortunately almost over now and nowadays... the game industry is more important to the US.

One of the main reason why there is low cash to be made i see in 2 factors: No local support... and as well no foreign support. As soon as someone hear the name "Russia", the game is "isolated" outside and to some extend even inside... so this industry is almost unable to blossom,... which i find sad but simply how it is at the current time.

It is not that much different in China, but at least there is more local support from every direction... reason why a game like Black Myth Wukong was able to become "true". They still have to take care not to use "wrong propaganda" else the game is busted (and sometimes even its creators). The background is not hard to find out, because the thing those countries fear the most is not any external threat but the internal threat which may come from any sort of unrest. It did already happen many times in the past and it was causing major issues.

Indeed, there are still Russian devs but... they mainly operate outside Russia, sometimes pretty hidden, in order to make stuff less complicated to them and to actually have a real chance providing the stuff they truly want to create and get sufficient customers for.

Regarding the game: I am totally in favor for because Donkey Kong Country was, along with Super Mario World, probably my first 2D Jump and Run (while Croc was probably my first 3D Jump and Run). I think, it was created during the golden era of Nintendo. Financially, Nintendo is currently in their golden age (the Switch is a real cash cow) but spiritually... the SNES was their true golden age.

Donkey Kong Country is even something i would put on the Dreamlist but the chance of Nintendo releasing it for PC is... lets tell the truth, as good as zero.

After all... i do not even want a "modern Donkey Kong"; but the classics instead. If i still am looking out for a modern interpretation... i guess i am at the right spot now. Guess i will get it sooner or later... not in hurry yet (got to much games and to less time).

Those games was legendary:

Donkey Kong Country 2 - Forest Interlude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_x4THh-tJk
Donkey Kong Country - Aquatic Ambience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVOzQfe_GQE
Donkey Kong Country 2 - Krook's March https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmmE-dpgF88

Just saw that the game was discounted over at the other store before, will wait for one here before I get it.
Purchased so many physical PS5 games in the last couple weeks, I'm honestly in no rush. :P

Discount? Not that i know off... for me it is priced exactly the same on the biggest platform.

However... i am being charged hard, as usual:

US price: 29.99
My price: 34.99 = 42.75 USD, around 40% higher price, according to the common web exchange.

DRM free or a PS5 BD is the only way they could make me pay it, because DRMed... not chance at all, it just would be insufficient value for me (luckily not for many other people i assume).

Sure, they say... i my country: There is very few inflation as my currency is "strong", so we barely will need more income as well, but unfortunately in real world terms it is almost meaningless... which can be seen on many examples. Prices rarely come down, but increasing it is way more common. In the end, everyone is being hit by some sort of "inflation", no matter being forced or not.

Besides: Brazil price is around 13 USD = around 3 times lesser (on Steam at least, GOG probably higher)... well, no one heard them moaning, so it seems correct.