- Janosik is now Steam Deck Verified! - 9 March 2026
The original Janosik has officially joined Janosik 2 in being Steam Deck Verified. This means the entire highland story is now fully optimized for your handheld, letting you follow Janosik's journey from the first rescue mission and Janka's prologue straight into the larger sequel.Whether you are commuting, relaxing at home, or even exploring the real Slovakian Highlands; Janosik and his friends are ready to join you whenever, and wherever.The original Janosik is completely free to play, making it easy for anyone to dive into the world we have built. We encourage you to check it out if you want to see where the journey began or if you are looking for a quick, handheld challenge to complete before continuing your progress in the sequel.Grab your Deck, prepare your thumbs, and get ready to venture into the highlands!
- Janosik 2 is Now Steam Deck Verified! Take the Adventure Anywhere - 11 February 2025
Great news, adventurers! Janosik 2 is officially Steam Deck Verified, meaning you can now experience the thrilling highland journey wherever you go. Whether you're commuting, relaxing at home, or even exploring the real Slovakian Highlands, Janosik and his friends are ready to join you whenever, and wherever. The "Verified" status means that Janosik 2 is fully optimized for Steam Deck, and there’s never been a better time to dive into the action. Don't wait and grab your Deck, prepare your thumbs, and get ready to venture into the highlands! Upcoming Cloud Saves Update Lately, we've been working on enabling Cloud Saves for Janosik 2, so your progress could carry onto another PC, or, more importantly, your Steam Deck. While we have the PC - PC Cloud Saves working, the PC - Steam Deck situation proves to be more difficult than anticipated. At first, any solution we applied caused a total…
- The Power of 9: Janosik 2’s First Month - 9 January 2025
Hey Adventurers! 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 consid…
- Patch #2 for Janosik 2! - 2 January 2025
Hey Adventurers! We're happy to see so many of you exploring the colorful world of Janosik 2 and enjoying the platforming challenges. To make your journey even better, we've released Patch #2, which focuses on resolving some pesky bugs and improving your gameplay experience. Here's what we've fixed: Fixed broken English dialogue for Mocarz when selling the Belt of Ammo upgrade. Resolved an issue where Janka's ice ability did not work because it overlapped with the dash ability. Fixed the incorrect switch position in Chain Reaction 3. Fixed a bug where players could get stuck in a rock pillar when using the electroshock ability. Corrected an issue where the potion count display was partially covered by hearts when reaching double digits. If you’re enjoying Janosik 2, we’d greatly appreciate it if you shared the game with your friends or left a Steam review to help us reach more players.
- Last chance to vote for Janosik 2! - 20 December 2024
Last Day to Vote! 🕒 Hey everyone! The IndieDB Indie of the Year 2024 Awards voting is almost over and Janosik 2 has been nominated in the Platformer category! 🏔️ This is your last chance to help Janosik 2 shine among the year’s best indie games. Every vote counts, and we’re so close to the finish line! Voting closes in just less than 10 hours, on December 21. With your support, Janosik 2 the Top 10, or even take the trophy home! 👉 Vote for Janosik 2 here: IndieDB Voting Page (No registration needed - feel free to share with friends!) Thank you so much for cheering us on. Whether it’s by voting, sharing, or spreading the word, every bit of support means the world to us. Here's another story from the game's development, this time it's about beating the game in an... unintended way. A Page From the Dev Diary #3 Teamwork makes the dream work. While testing the game, Krzysiek, the produce…
- Two days left to vote for Janosik 2! - 19 December 2024
Only 2 Days Left to Vote! 🕒 Hey everyone! The IndieDB Indie of the Year 2024 Awards are almost here and Janosik 2 has been nominated in the Platformer category! 🏔️ This is your chance to help Janosik 2 shine among the year’s best indie games. Every vote counts, and we’re so close to the finish line! Voting closes in just 2 days on December 21. With your support, Janosik 2 the Top 10, or even take the trophy home! 👉 Vote for Janosik 2 here: IndieDB Voting Page (No registration needed - feel free to share with friends!) Thank you so much for cheering us on. Whether it’s by voting, sharing, or spreading the word, every bit of support means the world to us. Today it's time for a story of how Marcin came up with the idea to make games about the legendary Slovakian Highlander, Janosik! A Page From the Dev Diary #2 Now that my game is out, I’d like to take a moment to reminisce about how it…
- Time is running out to vote for Janosik 2! - 18 December 2024
Only 3 Days Left to Vote! 🕒 Hey everyone! The IndieDB Indie of the Year 2024 Awards are almost here and Janosik 2 has been nominated in the Platformer category! 🏔️ This is your chance to help Janosik 2 shine among the year’s best indie games. Every vote counts, and we’re so close to the finish line! Voting closes in just 3 days on December 21. With your support, Janosik 2 the Top 10, or even take the trophy home! 👉 Vote for Janosik 2 here: IndieDB Voting Page (No registration needed - feel free to share with friends!) Thank you so much for cheering us on. Whether it’s by voting, sharing, or spreading the word, every bit of support means the world to us. To celebrate the last days of voting, we'd like to share a couple of Marcin's stories from Janosik 2's development. Here's the first one! A Page From the Dev Diary #1 I’m excited about Janosik 2’s nomination for the Indie of the Year…
- First Patch for Janosik 2 is Here! - 17 December 2024
Hey Adventurers! First of all, thank you for playing Janosik 2, and all the feedback and bug reports over the course of last week. We've been looking closely at forums, comments, and Discord to make sure no message goes unnoticed. We've already pushed a couple of mini-updates containing changes to single lines in the dialogues and/or their localization. Today, we're releasing a first, full-fledged, patch for Janosik 2. Here are the patch notes: Janka's wall clinging no longer emits the lantern sparkle sound. After getting an enchantment from the witch, the spellbook notification now clears immediately. Hugo's coffin no longer displays the hint E even if the controller is enabled. Fixed typos "But you don't perish in sunlight nd don't drink blood." - and "Ans what's the third option?" - And "You well business idea was very creative." - Your "My souls is saved!" - soul "Hello, Hubertus. W…
- Janosik 2 is Nominated for Indie of the Year 2024 at IndieDB! - 11 December 2024
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! - 9 December 2024
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 witc…
- Action-platformer metroidvania Janosik 2 will be a 'bigger, bolder adventure' launching December 9 - 26 November 2024
The free to play Janosik just got a major update, and its bigger, bolder adventure sequel Janosik 2 is set for launch on December 9. Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/11/action-platformer-metroidvania-janosik-2-will-be-a-bigger-bolder-adventure-launching-december-9
- Janosik 2 Coming Dec 9th! New Dungeons for Janosik Today! - 25 November 2024
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 bi…
- Dev Update: The Art of Adventure - 13 November 2024
Hey, Adventurers! In the last Dev Update we’ve talked about music being your companion throughout the game, anywhere you go, the music is there. Today we’d like to share more details about the pixel-art and cinematics that are present in Janosik 2, and spill some tea about their creation process. Creating Sprites and Backgrounds Janosik 2’s visuals are a love letter to classic games, combining retro pixel art with fresh animation techniques. The game’s sprites and backgrounds were drawn by hand, one pixel at a time in Aseprite. To keep the vibe of old-school platformer, Marcin used a limited color palette and focused on clean, and readable designs. The final pixel-art is simple, yet vibrant and expressive, mixing modern animations with retro charm. Rotoscoping Magic All cinematic sequences in Janosik 2 were created using the rotoscoping technique. This process involved recording short v…
- Dev Update: The Sound of Highlands - 11 October 2024
Hey adventurers, We've talked about Janosik's companions in the previous Dev Updates, but there is something else that will accompany you during your journey into the Highlands - the music! The man behind Janosik 2's soundtrack is Juhani Junkala, a talented composer from Helsinki, Finland. We first came across Juhani's work on OpenGameArt, where several of his tracks immediately caught our attention. In fact, we liked them so much we reached out to him with a proposal to collaborate on Janosik 2. Thankfully, he was up for it, and that's how the music for the game came to life! While Juhani has since stepped away from creating music for games, we’re thrilled that Janosik 2 was one of his last stops in the industry. His work quite literally puts the “fairy” in our tale, bringing the magic of the game to life in ways we couldn’t have expected. When it comes to inspiration, we wanted the so…
- Free Prologue Available Now! - 1 October 2024
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! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2945900/Janosik_2_Prologue/ 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…
- Dev Update: Embracing the Myths and Legends in Janosik 2 - 27 September 2024
Hey everyone, As we're getting closer and closer to the release of Janosik 2, we're happy to share more about the world we're building and the legends that inspire it. Aside from being an action-packed adventure, the journey you will soon embark on leads straight into the heart of Slavic folklore, where the history and myths intertwine. Let's start with the man himself - Janosik was a real historical figure who lived in what is now Slovakia at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. Like a Slavic Robin Hood, Janosik was known for helping the poor by robbing the rich. As a leader of a band of outlaws – he became famous for his bravery and cunning. However, Janosik 2 draws inspiration from folk legends surrounding Janosik, rather than true story of his life. In these stories, Janosik has often been portrayed with superhuman abilities – bullets couldn’t harm him, and he could leap great d…
- Dev Update: Trouble in the Highlands - 19 September 2024
Hey everyone, During your adventures in the Highlands, you will face a vast array of enemies, each more dangerous than the last. As you venture through treacherous mountains, dense forests, and dark dungeons, Janosik’s journey is filled with fearsome bosses, Countess Bathory’s goons, wild animals, and creatures straight from myths and legends, all determined to stop the fearless Highlander in his tracks. From cunning bandits to ancient spirits, every encounter is designed to challenge not just your combat skills, but your ability to adapt and strategize on the fly and think creatively. The toughest of your adversaries will often require you to switch characters and use their abilities in the right order to bring them down. You meet the Crossbow Man early in the game. This enemy is much tougher and more dangerous than regular goons. He shoots two arrows when he notices you, but the good…
- Janosik 2 Open Steam Playtest Is Now Live! - 16 September 2024
Hey everyone! The first-ever Janosik 2 Steam Playtest is now live! It is the first time you can play our game, and we strongly encourage you to try it out, and let us know your thoughts. We're eager to see, hear and read as much feedback as possible as it will help us make Janosik 2 the best game it can be. At the same time, we're running another playtest for Undead West, an upcoming western-themed roguelite shooter. Both are pixel art character driven stories, with Janosik 2 putting emphasis on fairy tale platforming action and Undead West opting for wild west combat roguelite. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2527880/Undead_West/ In the Janosik 2 Steam Playtest, you'll have access to the initial 8 levels of the game - explore the Highlands, and let us know what you think! Our Steam Playtest is open, and everyone can join, here's how: Go to the Janosik 2 Steam Page Scroll down until…
- Dev Update: A Tale of the Brave Maiden - 13 September 2024
Hey everyone! If you watched Janosik 2's trailer, you're probably familiar with the scene of Janosik blissfully running towards Janka, only to find out it's a trap and fall into the hands of Countess Bathory... But what led to that dramatic twist? That's where Janosik 2: Prologue comes in. Set directly before the events of the main game, the prologue serves as a prelude to the unforgettable adventure awaiting Janosik. This time, you take on the role of Janka, Janosik's sweetheart, as she gets read for what was supposed to be a wonderful date with her boyfriend. However, her plans are rudely interrupted by the cunning Baron de Blonde, acting on behalf of the devious Countess Bathory, In this bite-sized adventure you'll guide Janka through 8 challenging levels filled with tricky enemies, enviromental obstacles, and hidden secrets. As you progress through the prologue, Baba Yaga, who runs…
- Dev Update: Fellowship of the Village - 5 September 2024
Hey everyone! The Highlands are a beautiful place, flourishing with flowers, trees, and all kinds of plants, A sight to behold, you might say. Unfortunately, the presence of Countess Bathory and her goons makes them a really dangerous place. Janosik found this out the hard way having gotten captured and thrown into a dungeon when trying to make it to his date. To help you survive the Highlands, and deal with the Countess' army, kind people around the village will offer to sell a variety of items that will surely boost your combat prowess, or make exploration easier. These items are not required to progress further in the game, but will surely come in handy when you want to become a treasure hunter, or explore all of the Highlands. Map of the Village - Allows you to check your surroundings, and see where all cool people, including vendors, and certain people of interest, hang out. Golden…
