Teslagrad

{{Infobox video game

| title = Teslagrad

| image = Teslagrad-Logo-550x82.png

| developer = Rain Games

| publisher = Original
Rain Games
Remastered
Modus Games

| director =

| producer =

| designer = Magnus Holm

| programmer = Fredrik Ludvigsen

| artist = Ole Ivar Rudi

| writer = Marte Haugsbø

| composer =

| engine = Unity

| platforms = Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

| released = Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux{{Video game release|WW|13 December 2013}}Wii U{{Video game release|WW|11 September 2014}}PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4{{Video game release|PAL|3 December 2014|NA|14 April 2015}}PlayStation Vita{{Video game release|NA|24 November 2015|PAL|27 November 2015}}Xbox One{{Video game release|WW|9 March 2016}}Nintendo Switch{{Video game release|WW|7 December 2017}}Android, iOS{{Video game release|WW|8 November 2018}}

| genre = Puzzle-platform

| modes = Single-player

}}Teslagrad is a 2013 side-scrolling puzzle-platform game developed and published by Rain Games.

The game revolves around magnetism and electromagenic powers to solve puzzles while uncovering a conspiracy involving a despotic king. It received generally positive reviews.

A sequel, Teslagrad 2, was released in 2023.

Gameplay

File:Teslagrad Screenshot.jpg

Teslagrad is a 2.5D puzzle-platformer with action elements, where magnetism and other electromagnetic powers are the key to go throughout the game, and thereby discover the secrets kept in the long abandoned Tesla Tower. The game features minimal combat segments coupled with electric-based puzzle sections and precise platforming. Teslagrad is set in a steampunk-inspired version of old Europe, in a non-linear world with more than a hundred hand-drawn environments.

The player controls a young boy, who suddenly finds himself embroiled in a long-forgotten conspiracy involving the despotic king who has ruled the nation with an iron fist for several years. The game offers various upgrades and items as the game progresses.

Plot

In the Kingdom of Elektropia, a king rules with an iron fist, combating and destroying a sect of technological wizards who have a massive tower in the middle of the city named Teslagrad. The name Teslagrad is built from a name and a word, the inventor Tesla and the Slavic word Grad for City. One day, a young orphaned boy finds himself hounded by the King's guards, fleeing into the deserted tower and uncovering the history of the conflict.

Production

Teslagrad was originally conceived as the world of Chroma evolved, derived from a casual-focused multiplayer game called Minute Mayhem. Rain Games stopped the development of the first game that the team was working on in order to focus on Teslagrad. Wii U,{{cite news | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/06/steampunk_puzzle_platformer_teslagrad_looks_gorgeous_and_its_coming_to_wii_u | title=Steampunk Puzzle Platformer Teslagrad Looks Gorgeous, And It's Coming To Wii U | publisher=Nintendo Life | date=13 June 2013 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | archive-date=26 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926180341/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/06/steampunk_puzzle_platformer_teslagrad_looks_gorgeous_and_its_coming_to_wii_u | url-status=live }} PlayStation 3,{{cite news | url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2013/07/12/handsome-platformer-teslagrad-set-to-charm-on-ps3-this-year/ | title=Handsome platformer Teslagrad set to charm on PS3 this year | publisher=Playstation Blog EU | date=12 July 2013 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | archive-date=19 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219181616/http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2013/07/12/handsome-platformer-teslagrad-set-to-charm-on-ps3-this-year/ | url-status=live }} and PlayStation 4{{cite news | url=http://www.destructoid.com/teslagrad-is-heading-to-retail-also-the-ps4-278958.phtml | title=Teslagrad is heading to retail, also the PS4 | publisher=Destructoid | date=1 August 2014 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | archive-date=29 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429045021/http://www.destructoid.com/teslagrad-is-heading-to-retail-also-the-ps4-278958.phtml | url-status=live }} versions of the game were announced in June 2013, July 2013, and August 2014, respectively.

The game saw the launch of its first playable demo for the PC which was released in August 2013. Later that year, developers Rain Game showcased Teslagrad at various indie game events such as PAX Prime 2013 and Eurogamer Expo 2013, gathering invaluable feedback and being warmly received by players and press. The game uses the Unity game engine, making it easier for developers to reach cross platforms.{{cite news | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/11/interview_rain_games_tells_us_about_teslagrad_envisioning_a_series_and_the_excitement_of_working_with_nintendo | title=Interview: Rain Games Tells Us About Teslagrad | publisher=Nintendo Life | date=6 November 2013 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | last=Whitehead | first=Thomas | archive-date=29 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329080758/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/11/interview_rain_games_tells_us_about_teslagrad_envisioning_a_series_and_the_excitement_of_working_with_nintendo | url-status=live }}

Release

The game was released on Steam on 13 December 2013,{{cite web | url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/249590/ | title=Teslagrad | accessdate=30 January 2016 | website=Steam | archive-date=30 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330035746/https://store.steampowered.com/app/249590/ | url-status=live }} on Nintendo eShop for the Wii U on 11 September 2014,{{cite news | url=http://rain-games.com/lets-go-wii-u-teslagrad-available-on-eshop-september-11th/ | title=Let's go Wii U: Teslagrad available on eShop September 11th | work=Rain Games | date=29 August 2014 | accessdate=30 January 2016 | archive-date=27 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327223448/https://rain-games.com/lets-go-wii-u-teslagrad-available-on-eshop-september-11th/ | url-status=live }} and on PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on 3 December 2014 in Europe.{{cite news | url=http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-is-now-available-digitally-for-playstation-3-and-playstation-4-in-europe/ | title=Teslagrad is now available digitally for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Europe! | publisher=Rain Games | date=3 December 2014 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | author=Ole Ivar Rudi | archive-date=2 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141625/http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-is-now-available-digitally-for-playstation-3-and-playstation-4-in-europe/ | url-status=live }} The North American PSN Store release date for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 was scheduled on 27 January 2015, but was postponed on the day of the release.{{cite news |title=The Drop: New PlayStation Games for 1/27/2015 |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/01/25/the-drop-new-playstation-games-for-1272015/ |first=Ryan |last=Clements |publisher=PlayStation Blog US |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=1 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061259/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/01/25/the-drop-new-playstation-games-for-1272015/ |url-status=live }} The retail version, published by Soedesco, was released in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain on 3 December 2014, and in UK on 30 January 2015.{{cite news |title=SOEDESCO and Rain Games are releasing Teslagrad on December 3rd for PlayStation 4™ and PlayStation 3™ |url=http://www.soedesco.com/en/news/soedesco-and-rain-games-are-releasing-teslagrad-on-december-3rd-for-playstation-4-and-playstation-3/ |publisher=Soedesco |date=25 November 2014 |accessdate=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211010530/http://www.soedesco.com/en/news/soedesco-and-rain-games-are-releasing-teslagrad-on-december-3rd-for-playstation-4-and-playstation-3/ |archivedate=11 February 2015 }} The PlayStation Vita version was announced on 27 February 2014, but since then no exact date was given.{{cite news | url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/02/27/beautiful-puzzle-platformer-teslagrad-coming-ps-vita/ | title=Beautiful puzzle platformer Teslagrad is coming to PS Vita | publisher=Playstation Blog EU | date=27 February 2014 | accessdate=1 February 2016 | last=Garabito | first=Eduardo | archive-date=6 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306225820/https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/02/27/beautiful-puzzle-platformer-teslagrad-coming-ps-vita/ | url-status=live }} The game was also released digitally in Japan on 18 February 2015, with an update to the Steam version that added Japanese language.{{cite web |title=Teslagrad has been released in Japan! |url=http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-has-been-released-in-japan/ |author=Ole Ivar Rudi |publisher=Rain Games |date=18 February 2015 |accessdate=1 April 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402162113/http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-has-been-released-in-japan/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Square Enix and Unity Japan ready to release Teslagrad in Japan |url=http://www.gonintendo.com/s/246939-square-enix-and-unity-japan-ready-to-release-teslagrad-in-japan |publisher=GoNintendo |date=10 February 2015 |accessdate=1 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154424/http://www.gonintendo.com/s/246939-square-enix-and-unity-japan-ready-to-release-teslagrad-in-japan |archivedate=2 April 2015 }} An Xbox One version was announced at the end of February 2016 with the release date of 9 March 2016.{{cite news|title=Hello, Microsoft family! Teslagrad is coming to Xbox One!|url=http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-xbox-one/|accessdate=4 March 2016|work=Rain-Games.com|date=29 February 2016|archive-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141655/http://rain-games.com/teslagrad-xbox-one/|url-status=live}}

A version for Android and iOS has been released on 8 November 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/09/19/indie-metroidvania-teslagrad-coming-android-can-pre-register-right-now/|title=Indie Metroidvania 'Teslagrad' is coming to Android, and you can pre-register right now|publisher=Android Police|accessdate=1 October 2018|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516080347/https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/09/19/indie-metroidvania-teslagrad-coming-android-can-pre-register-right-now/|url-status=live}}

Sequel

A sequel, Teslagrad 2, was announced in September 2020.{{cite news|title=Teslagrad 2 will bring back the magnetic Metroidvania mayhem|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/28/teslagrad-2-will-bring-back-the-magnetic-metroidvania-mayhem/|website=VentureBeat|accessdate=29 September 2020|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327223024/https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/28/teslagrad-2-will-bring-back-the-magnetic-metroidvania-mayhem/|url-status=live}} In addition to a remastered version of the 2013 original game, the sequel was released in April 2023 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/teslagrad-2-drops-out-of-nowhere-alongside-remaster-of-the-first-game/|title=Teslagrad 2 drops out of nowhere alongside remaster of the first game|last=Handley|first=Zooey|website=Destructoid|date=April 19, 2023|access-date=April 19, 2023|archive-date=April 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419164143/https://www.destructoid.com/teslagrad-2-drops-out-of-nowhere-alongside-remaster-of-the-first-game/|url-status=live}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 77/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Teslagrad for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041814/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/teslagrad |url-status=live }}
WIIU: 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Teslagrad for Wii U Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=7 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207063549/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/teslagrad |url-status=live }}
PS4: 78/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Teslagrad for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830123503/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/teslagrad |url-status=live }}
VITA: 74/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Teslagrad for PlayStation Vita Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106134252/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/teslagrad |url-status=live }}
XONE: 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Teslagrad for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105100732/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/teslagrad |url-status=live }}
NS: 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/teslagrad/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Teslagrad for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=10 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010110616/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/teslagrad |url-status=live }}

| NLife = {{rating|9|10}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/teslagrad | title=Teslagrad (Wii U eShop) Review | publisher=Nintendo Life | date=11 September 2014 | access-date=1 February 2016 | last=Shapiro | first=Jake | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001251/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/teslagrad | url-status=live }}

| NWR = 8/10{{cite web |last=Bonds |first=Curtis |date=11 September 2014 |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/38489/teslagrad-review |title=Teslagrad Review |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191933/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/38489/teslagrad-review |url-status=live }}

}}

Teslagrad received generally positive reviews. Review aggregator website Metacritic gave the Wii U version 79/100 based on 15 reviews, the Microsoft Windows version 77/100 based on 15 reviews, and the PlayStation 4 version 78/100 based on 14 reviews.

Nintendo Life praised the game for its nostalgic music, hand drawn artwork and brain bending puzzles. Nintendo World Report also praised the game for its art style, though they criticized the game for its steep difficulty and minimal Wii U GamePad usage.

IGN reported in March 2016 that 1.6 million copies of the game had been sold.{{cite web |last=Copeland |first=Wesley |date=8 March 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/08/electromagnetic-puzzler-teslagrad-heads-to-xbox-one-this-week |title=Electromagnetic puzzler Teslagrad heads to Xbox One this week |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=9 March 2016 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327223024/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/08/electromagnetic-puzzler-teslagrad-heads-to-xbox-one-this-week |url-status=live }}