Lanota
Lanota is an indie rhythm game developed and published by Noxy Games. The iOS version and the Android version were both released globally on the App Store and the Google Play Store respectively on July 13, 2016.[1][2][3] The game on iOS requires initial purchase, but the Android version allows free play up to Chapter 3, interspersed with ads. On April 13, 2018, it was announced that a Switch port of Lanota by Flyhigh Works is undergoing development. The port was released worldwide in June 2018.[4]
| Lanota | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Noxy Games, Inc |
| Publisher(s) | Noxy Games, Inc |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch |
| Release | iOS
|
| Genre(s) | Music, rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Lanota includes a story told in a picture book style, map exploration, and item collecting along with the main rhythm game gameplay. Players must complete songs in order to advance the story and unlock more songs.
Gameplay
Lanota's playing field is a circle with a gear in the middle, where notes originate. On the App Store, it is described as a "plate".[5] In game, it is referred to as the "Notalium Tuner". The player must tap(click), hold(catch), slide(rail), or flick the notes when they reach the outer ring of the circle in accordance to the beat. The plate changes sizes, spins, or moves around the screen in the middle of gameplay and the player must re-adjust themselves accordingly.[6] Items will be picked up and stored as the player experiences the story. The story and items can be looked at by accessing the menu, which also includes options to customize the game interface. The player has the option to turn off background effects, change timing offset, tuner transparency, and tap note volume.
Scoring
The notes are categorized and scored differently depending on timing: Harmony, Tune, and Fail. For platinum (not basic paid) subscription only, fast/slow indicator can be toggled (for Tune or for (inaccurate) Harmony). Tunes will always give fast/slow (if fast/slow is turned on), and certain "inaccurate" Harmonies will give fast/slow (if fast/slow Harmony is turned on). Harmony gives full points, Tune gives half points, and Fail gives no points. The score is also combo-based, to the max combo attained also affects the final score. All songs have a maximum score of 1,000,000. Depending on the final score, the player is given a rank.
| Rank | Score |
|---|---|
| L | 1,000,000 - 980,000 |
| S | 979,999 - 950,000 |
| A | 949,999 - 900,000 |
| B | 899,999 - 700,000 |
| C | 699,999 - 500,000 |
| D | 499,999 - 0 |
Additionally, A song is considered "Perfect Purified" if all notes in the songs were Harmonies, and "All Combo" if no notes in the songs were Fails. Unofficially "理論値" is considered if on top of getting "Perfect Purified", there is no fast/slow indicator triggered even if fast/slow indicator for Harmonies has been turned on in Options.
Modes
The player can choose to "Tune" or "Purify" songs.[7] In Purify mode, the player fails the song if too many notes are missed. Tune mode does not have this restriction. The game has four difficulty settings, from easiest to most difficult: "Whisper", "Acoustic", "Ultra", and "Master". The master difficulty of every song must be unlocked by receiving an "A" rank on Ultra difficulty.
Plot
According to the official site,[1] the game takes place in a world similar to the real world until a calamitous disaster called "Al Niente" occurred long ago, rendering the majority of the earth devoid of sound and color. Areas are able to retain their color only by being near ordered "Notalium", an artificially created crystalline energy source left behind by ancient predecessors. The process of creating Notalium is currently forgotten; all Notalium is provided by the Notalium Administration.[8] The player is given the task of controlling the two main characters, Fisica and Ritmo, to "tune" the Notalium that has weakened and become "disordered" over time to return the world to its original state.[9]
Characters
Several characters appear in the game's story sections.
- Ritmo: An energetic, self-proclaimed "Starlight Shooter" that spends his time writing music and playing his lute, despite lacking musical talent. He is the only one who can use the Notalium Tuner.[10]
- Fisica: A reserved, thoughtful genius who developed the Notalium Tuner.[9] She enjoys reading books and cooking ratatouille.[10]
- Nero: A member of the Silence Border Guard.
- Rossa: A member of the Silence Border Guard.
Songs
As of June 2018, there are currently four main chapters included. There are two side stories and eleven expansion packs, all containing five or six songs each, that can be purchased as DLC.
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Reception and awards
Lanota has been awarded 1st place for "Excellence in Audio" in the IMGA SEA 2016[11] and "Best Audio" for the 2017 Taipei Game Show Indie Game Awards.[12] The game was also nominated in the 2017 13th IMGA[13] and for the 2017 Indie Prize Award for "best Mobile Game" in Casual Connect Asia[14]
Touch Arcade rates it a 4.5/5, saying that the gameplay "adds some refreshing dynamism to a genre that is notorious for static gameplay." but complains that the moving playfield "makes it too difficult to follow at the best of times."[15] On October 27, 2016, Noxy Games has claimed the app had been downloaded at least 100,000 times.[16]
References
- "手機音樂新作《Lanota》iOS 版上架 體驗前所未有的圓盤軌道玩法". 巴哈姆特電玩資訊站.
- Rob Funnell (2016-07-12). "Beautiful Narrative-Driven Rhythm Game 'Lanota' Out Now on the App Store". Touch Arcade. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
- Chihiro. "スマホアプリ「Lanota」がiOS向けに配信開始。音楽ゲームによる調律で，色と音を失った世界に生気を取り戻そう". 4gamer.net. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
- Romano, Sal (2018-06-08). "Lanota for Switch launches June 14 in North America, June 20 in Europe". Gematsu. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- "在 App Store 上的「Lanota」". App Store (in Chinese). Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "Lanota: save the world though the sound of music – Haogamers". Haogamers. 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "【Qoo TGDF2016】新形態音樂遊戲－《Lanota》". QooApp.
- "Introduction of "Notalium" - a key item in the world of Lanota". Twitter. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "Another important item in the world of Lanota: the notalium tuner made by Fisica!". Twitter. 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "Character profile of Fisica and Ritmo, the heroine and hero in [Lanota]:". Twitter. 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
- "The Winners of IMGA SEA 2016 | Unpause Asia". www.unpause.asia. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "2017 Taipei Game Show - Indie Game Award". taipeigameshow.biz. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "13th IMGA nominated and awarded games". International Mobile Gaming Awards. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- "Indie Prize". Retrieved 2018-02-21.
- "Lanota Review". TouchArcade. August 2, 2016. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- Lanota (2016-10-27). "Celebrating 100K+ downloads, a 50% OFF SALE campaign for ALL CONTENTS in Lanota on Oct. 28 to 30! Won't you share the joy? #LanotaGamepic.twitter.com/YM13xuR8cm". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-02-20.