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An Unravel 2 Switch Version Would Have Added 6 Months to the Release Date
Ain't nobody got twine for that.
When Unravel 2 was announced last week during EA's press conference at E3 2018, it was a welcome surprise. What was even more surprising was that the puzzle platformer became available immediately on all major platforms except the Nintendo Switch. However, it has now been revealed that a Switch version of Unravel 2 would have added six months to the release date.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, developer Coldwood Interactive explained that, despite thinking the indie title would be perfect for the Switch, the team didn't have time to make it happen as there are technical barriers in place which make it difficult.
"Although it may look like a simply platformer, some locations have around four million triangles on screen," lead programmer Jakob Marklund explained. "There are a lot of details, complex landscapes, all the vegetation and stuff. We can do it, but it will take some time."
Marklund went on to explain that the team had to port Unravel 2 to the Xbox One themselves, having used a "heavily extended version" of Sony's game engine PhyreEngine to develop the title. To bring Unravel 2 to Switch, the small team would have to do something similar, porting the title and doing the engine work themselves - something they could not do in time for the surprise E3 release.
"We just didn't have time," Marklund revealed. "If we had to do a Switch port it would have taken another half a year or so."
Coldwood Interactive did not explicitly say whether it is or isn't working on bringing Unravel 2 to the Switch, although Marklund did say the title "doesn't have support for Switch yet", implying it could be something we can expect in the future - we just don't know when.
Unravel 2 is the sequel to charming indie platformer Unravel. While the original game focused on one character, Yarny, the newest addition to the series sees you playing as two Yarnys who must work together to solve puzzles and manipulate the world. Unravel 2 introduces, for the first time, the option to play the game either single-player or multiplayer (through couch co-op.)
In our Unravel 2 review, we said, "While its core story might not have the emotional punch of the original, Unravel Two improves upon the original in every other respect." It's available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Vic is a freelance news writer for IGN. Often found force-feeding people The Sims or gifting PlayerUnknown potato bread. You can follow her on Twitter.