We hope you all had a chance to rest over the winter break and cranked the party meter up for New Year’s! Here’s to unforgettable gaming moments, epic adventures that would make Janosik himself proud, and a fantastic 2025.
As we reflect on the first month since Janosik 2 launched, one thing is clear - the number 9 has been our lucky charm.
It all started with our release on December 9th. Since then, we’ve been thrilled to see a 95% positive review score from players. The cherry on top? GameGrin’s Dylan Pamintuan surprised us with a glowing 9.5/10 review - what a way to kick things off!
But the biggest "9" came just before we wrapped 2024…
Just two days after launch, Janosik 2 was nominated for the Indie of the Year Award on IndieDB, standing tall alongside 99 other incredible indie games, including the Game of the Year nominee, Balatro. We were beyond happy to be considered for the award so soon after launch, but when the final results came in, our excitement reached new heights:
Janosik 2 was crowned the 9th best indie game of 2024!
Legends say Janosik’s strength came from his giant ancestry, but to find ourselves among the giants of the indie gaming world is an entirely different kind of achievement.
A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us in the Indie of the Year Awards. We wouldn’t be here without you. Let’s make 2025 the year of legendary Highlander adventures with Janosik 2!
Janosik 2 is Nominated for Indie of the Year 2024 at IndieDB!
Hello, Adventurers!
The IndieDB Indie of the Year 2024 Awards are in full swing, and Janosik 2 has been nominated in the Platformer category! 🏔️
This is your chance to help Janosik 2 gain recognition among the best indie games of the year. Every vote counts, and it only takes a moment of your time!
👉 Follow this link to vote for Janosik 2:IndieDB Voting Page (No registration required, so feel free to spread the word!)
The voting ends on December 21, so don’t wait too long to support Janosik 2! If we secure enough votes, Janosik 2 will advance to the Top 100 list and get closer to earning a Top 10 spot!
Your support means the world to us. Whether it's by voting or sharing the game with others. Let’s take Janosik 2 to new heights together!
Janosik 2 is OUT NOW!
Hey everyone!
The Wait is Over: Janosik 2 is Here!
After three years of hard work Janosik 2 has officially launched! As the developer, I’m filled with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a touch of anxiety. This game has been such a huge part of my life, and I can’t wait to see what you think about this next chapter in Janosik’s adventures. My goal has always been to make this sequel bigger, better, and even more immersive than the original Janosik.
So, you're probably wondering what will you find in Janosik 2... Well, obviously, there is a brand-new adventure, featuring werewolves, vampires, and a mission for Janosik to rescue Janka - his girlfriend. From there, the journey takes some unexpected twists. I've created 50 levels packed with deadly enemies and thrilling challenges to keep you on your toes.
If you played the first game, you’ll bump into some familiar faces, like the witch and Jan the Inventor, but there’s so much new to discover: new NPCs, deadlier enemies, helpful merchants, and...new playable characters!
That's right - Janosik won't face this adventure alone. He will be joined by three new playable characters: Bogdan, Janka, and Hugo. Each of them brings unique abilities that will alter the way you approach the game. I've also prepared a wide range of upgrades to go along with new characters - from weapons and movement abilities to special powers like freezing or electrifying enemies.
Today, the world of Janosik 2 is ready for you to explore. I can’t wait to see how you tackle its challenges, uncover its secrets, and interact with all the characters. Here’s to a journey full of excitement, surprises, and most importantly - fun!
Jump in, and make Janosik 2 an adventure to remember!
New Dungeons for Janosik Today! Janosik 2 Coming Dec 9th!
Hey everyone!
We've got a double dose of exciting news for you today! We've prepared a major update for Janosik with brand new content and features. On top of that, we're finally ready to let you all know when you will be able to embark on the next adventure in Janosik 2.
Janosik 2 is launching on December 9, 2024!
The legend of the Slovakian Highlander continues.
The adventure picks up right after the events of Janosik! Tricked by an ingenious ruse, Janosik must find a way to escape captivity and take the fight directly to Countess Bathory, who thinks she is pulling all the strings in the Highlands. Joined by Bogdan the Werewolf and Hugo the Vampire, and Janka the Plucky Maiden traverse through massive levels filled with mythical foes, deadly traps, and pesky De Blonde's goons.
With four unique playable characters, lightning-fast action, and a bigger world to explore, Janosik 2 is a bigger, bolder adventure you don’t want to miss.
You shouldn't show up at the release party in regular Janosik's slacks... It's a costume party, and we've got you covered!
To make sure you can dress for the occasion, and show off your heroic flair, we're introducing 4 new outfits for Janosik, which you can unlock by completing brand new dungeons.
To begin your quest for the stylish threads, you'll need to head through a newly added corridor that connects to the main hallway. Once inside, you'll find a room with outfit racks and four doors leading to different dungeons.
Each dungeon contains 4 parts of a single outfit - a hat, a chest piece, trousers, and boots , once you collect them all, you can equip a stunning new look:
Robin Hood: A green outfit inspired by the legendary outlaw, perfect for a highlander known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor.
Knight: Gleaming silver armor that reflects the valor and strength of a true hero, who isn't afraid of any challenge.
Warlock Guy: Inspired by the Project Warlock series, a dark ensemble that channels the power of forbidden magic.
Musketeer: A bold yellow outfit that captures the flair and swashbuckling spirit of a daring adventurer.
Prepare for Janosik 2 by diving into this update! With new dungeons to explore and stylish outfits to collect, this is the perfect time to warm up and rediscover the thrill of adventure. These challenges will test your mettle and reward you with treasures worthy of a true highlander.
The Highlands are full of danger, but we're sure you have what it takes to overcome challenges ahead of you!
Janosik 2: Prologue Available Now!
Hello adventurers,
We’re excited to announce that Janosik 2: Prologue is now available! This free prologue introduces you to the world of Janosik 2, featuring a standalone story set just before the events of the main game.
Join Janka on her adventure as she prepares for a date night with her boyfriend. But her evening takes an unexpected turn when the sinister Baron de Blonde, servant of the wicked Countess Bathory, disrupts her plans.
Along the way, you’ll unlock new abilities like double jumping, freezing enemies, air dashing, illuminating darkness, and wall climbing. Use these powers to overcome obstacles and conquer 8 challenging levels!
For those looking for another adventure, our friends at Deathless Games have just released a demo for their western-themed roguelike bullet hell, Undead West. You play as a cowboy killed in a revolver duel against the Man in Red, but Death offers you a chance at revenge by bringing you back to life.
We're excited to announce that Janosik 2: Prologue will release in just a few days, on October 1st.
In this prelude to the main game, you'll step into the shoes of Janka, as she faces off against the cunning Baron de Blonde. This standalone adventure features 8 challenging levels filled with tricky enemies and environmental obstacles. Get ready to uncover the events leading up to Janosik’s dramatic encounter with Bathory's goons!
We're thrilled to announce the upcoming Janosik 2: Prologue. This free prologue serves as a prelude to the main game, offering a unique and standalone adventure that sets the stage for the epic journey ahead.
Janosik 2: Prologue tells the story of Janka, Janosik’s beloved, as she prepares for a romantic date night. However, things take a turn when her plans are interrupted by the evil Baron de Blonde, acting on behalf of the even more wicked Countess Bathory.
Get ready to explore vibrant levels, uncover hidden secrets, and face a variety of challenges that will test your reflexes and wit. The prologue provides a taste of the unique gameplay that Janosik 2 has to offer.
Don’t miss your chance to get an early look at the exciting world of Janosik 2 and experience the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The prologue will be free to play, so be sure to add it to your wishlist now to stay updated and be among the first to know when it becomes available! 👇
We’re proud to let you all know that Janosik 2 is a part of the Steam Next Fest June 2024! Here’s a short info on what to expect from the traditional shepherd’s hat-wearing brave who joins forces with a reluctant vampire and burly werewolf to conquer evil minions of nefarious Countess Bathory and her fairy tale minions.
Janosik 2 picks right after the events of the first game, and its story starts with, let's call it: "a date which went terribly wrong". In the updated demo you can check out the first 3 out of 24 maps of Janosik 2 and get a taste of what’s ahead!
Let’s step into this mythic pixel art land of the Slavic Highlander and see what challenges, threats, and enemies you can expect in the sequel.
Old-school precision platforming
Janosik 2 will require good management of your speed, momentum, and jumping distance, as well as good reaction time. A single mistake can lead to falling into a trap or not reaching a desired spot. A lot of platforming elements are in constant motion so it adds another layer of complexity to traversing the levels.
The encounters in Janosik 2 are varied and require a good deal of bold moves and quick decision-making. You will frequently need to show your platforming prowess to collect shiny treasures and liberate imprisoned companions. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled at all times because the danger can come from every direction.
To make the challenge of Janosik 2 more manageable, we've added a lot of save points throughout the levels to make the backtracking easier.
During your journey, you will find golden coins, pricy jewels, and hefty treasures scattered around the landscapes. Make sure to fill your gold sack with coins, as some vendors have put a price on their prized possessions such as a throwable Shepherd’s Axe, a Bow, a Shield, or an heirloom that lets you freeze your foes in air. Gold can also help you reach some parts of the levels by unlocking passages when interacting with NPCs or fairy tale wonders like a wishing well.
Janosik 2 will let you explore the beautiful Slavic landscapes in their fullness as some parts of the world are interconnected by doors and passages, closed when approached for the first time. You’ll need to keep playing to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Threats on your way
During your adventure, you will face not-so-friendly dogs wandering around, rats lurking in the underground tunnels, nasty fish with sharp teeth hunting underwater, venomous spiders in dungeons and caves, and more. You will also fight many human enemies like the soldiers of the nefarious Countess Bathory, and her sidekick, de Blonde.
In addition to “living” foes, there are also plenty of traps and deadly spots along the way. You’ll need to keep an eye out on all sorts of spikes coming from walls, ceilings, and floors, huge boulders dropping from the ceiling while you rush through corridors, fireball-spitting gargoyles, the shaky and crumbling floor, disappearing platforms, or spider webs that will slow you down a bunch. not to mention that, sometimes, the floor obviously is lava ;)
Underwater exploration will not be easy, as you will encounter various obstacles, menacing creatures, and need to manage the oxygen supply. Collect air bubbles floating nearby to make sure you can reach the surface safely or take a risk diving deeper to grab precious trinkets.
Of course, sometimes you can take it slow and beat some parts of the levels carefully. On the other hand, many sequences combining enemies and obstacles will require constant movement. But you will learn all that soon enough.
We’re planning a Janosik-packed summer this year, so wishlist and follow the game to stay up to date with all the news. We have a lot of awesome stuff to share in the coming weeks, starting with a Next Fest Demo!
On that note, we’d like to wish you a happy Steam Next Fest, as it is truly a time like no other. There are so many wonderful demos to check out, and we hope Janosik 2 will be on your list of demos to play.
Enjoy, and see you next time!
Janosik is a part of 2D Platformer Vibes!
We’re excited to share that Janosik is a part of 2D Platformer Vibes online event hosted by Retrovibe! The event is held from February 26 to March 4 and it gathers an amazing roster of 2D platformer titles developed by talented teams from various parts of the world.
Those indie gems will challenge your cleverness in adrenaline-pumping platforming, test exploration skills, eagerness to find every collectible, the reflexes in avoiding hidden traps and more.
You can enter the event here:
2D PLATFORMER VIBES IN A NUTSHELL
A VAST SELECTION OF 2D PLATFORMERS
Discover amazing platformers in a wide range of settings and art styles - from retro-fueled fantasy worlds soaked with pixel art, to desolated post-apocalyptic lands or even space. From Webbed or Tribal Hunter, to Ultros, Lone Fungus and more!
EXPLORE UPCOMING GAMES
Browse through a selection of upcoming games and fill your wishlists with amazing 2D platforming titles! You never know what awaits you on the next level or in another castle!
FREE GAME TO GRAB!
Download the full version of Janosik, a fast paced retro action-platformer metroidvania presented in a slavic setting. Explore the hand-drawn pixel art world, find secrets, jump over deadly obstacles, roll and attack enemies, collect gold coins and find upgrades.
Slovak language update
Hey everyone!
Today we're bringing back the Slovak language version which became unavailable after the last Big Update with new in-game content.
Please note that your previously saved data is not compatible with the new language version. If you want to enjoy Janosik in a new language, you can select this language in the Main Menu and start a New Game.
If you like the game, we’d appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and leave a Steam review. Also, be sure to wishlist Janosik 2!
