Tackle puzzles and navigate platforms in the handdrawn platformer Toby: The Secret Mine

Toby: The Secret Mine is a challenging puzzle platformer inspired by the finest examples of the genre like LIMBO and Nihilumbra.

You play as the eponymous hero Toby who sets out to rescue his neighbours who have been kidnapped from their mountain village home.

That involves heading out into a beautifully hand drawn dark forest to solve a variety of puzzles and take on various traps and enemies.

To learn more about this challenging new adventure which just launched on iOS and Android, we reached out to Lukas Navratil, who developed the game entirely on his own, to find out what sets it apart from others in the genre, the challenges faced during development, and what he's most proud of.

What do you think Toby: The Secret Mine offers that you can’t get from any other title on Google Play?

"Toby: The Secret Mine is a charming and lengthy platformer with plenty of fun challenges, difficult obstacles, and stunning hand-drawn environments.

"There are a wide variety of puzzles and challenges that range from finding switches and levers to timing perfect jumps onto moving platforms or two centimeter wide ledges.

"No particular puzzle or obstacle outlives its welcome, although they return in a more devilish form later."

What challenges did you face during development, and how did you overcome them?

"I'm a one-man studio so had to do everything by myself (with the help of a freelance musician and artist). I faced a ton of challenges during development, as I had to learn all about game design, programming, art, animations, sound, and marketing.

"There were many technical and design issues during the process of creating Toby and I'm really happy that I have friends who could help me with art and music.

"The only way to overcome these challenges is to keep learning new things."

Which part of Toby: The Secret Mine are you personally the most proud of and why?

"I'm proud of the game as a whole to be honest, and am really glad that I finished a game that many people enjoy playing."

Do you have anything planned in terms of future updates for Toby: The Secret Mine and, if so, can you give us any details of what these might include?

"Of course, there's a lot of room for new levels, puzzles, and mechanics. If it makes sense and players want more content I would be happy to bring more Toby adventures."

Have you any plans to bring Toby: The Secret Mine to any other mobile platforms, such as Windows Phone?

"Toby: The Secret Mine is out right now on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and Android TV.

"As for other platforms, it's ready to go on all of them. The only criterion is players' interest."

Tempted? Head on over to the App Store or Google Play Right now to check it out!