Machinarium 2 Announced After 17 Years, With Josef and Berta Both Playable

Seventeen years after the original Machinarium, Czech indie studio Amanita Design has officially announced Machinarium 2. Revealed during The Triple-i Initiative showcase on October 8, the upcoming puzzle adventure reunites Josef and Berta, who will both be playable this time around.

The sequel retains the hand-drawn aesthetic and wordless storytelling that helped make the 2009 original a beloved indie adventure. However, its puzzles will now revolve around switching between the two characters and combining their individual abilities.

Amanita Design also confirmed that several members of the original creative team are returning, including director Jakub Dvorský and composer Tomáš Dvořák, better known as Floex.

Josef and Berta return for a new adventure

Machinarium 2 picks up after Josef and Berta escape the mechanical city from the first game.

The pair are searching for a new home when they crash-land in a barren landscape. After descending a nearby cliff, they discover a hidden valley inhabited by two unusual robot communities.

One lives in a monastery perched high among the rocks, while the other occupies a city below. Both settlements face a growing problem: their power supplies are running out.

Players will explore these locations, including the Elektrona monastery and the city of Oilton, while solving puzzles involving the two protagonists.

The biggest gameplay change is the ability to switch freely between Josef and Berta. Each robot possesses unique abilities, allowing them to tackle challenges that neither could overcome alone.

Amanita is also introducing direct character movement with a gamepad, although traditional mouse controls will remain available for players who prefer the original game's point-and-click approach.

The original Machinarium team is back

Amanita Design is bringing together several key developers responsible for the first game's distinctive presentation.

Jakub Dvorský returns as game director, with Adolf Lachman creating the backgrounds and characters. Václav Blín is once again responsible for animation.

The studio says every environment will be hand-drawn, with visual inspiration drawn from Renaissance landscape paintings and old master illustrations.

The sequel also preserves Machinarium's approach to storytelling. Rather than relying on written dialogue, characters will communicate through animated thought bubbles, gestures, and symbols.

Floex, whose atmospheric soundtrack became one of the original game's defining features, is composing the new score.

According to the game's Steam description, the music will retain its mixture of electronic and acoustic textures while introducing larger symphonic arrangements and occasional Renaissance influences.

For longtime fans, the returning creative team is particularly encouraging. Machinarium's visual design, expressive animation, and music were central to its identity, and Amanita appears determined to preserve those qualities while expanding the gameplay.

When is Machinarium 2 coming out?

Machinarium 2 is in development for Windows and macOS, with Amanita Design handling both development and publishing.

A release date has not been announced. The studio has also not confirmed additional platforms.

Players can currently wishlist Machinarium 2 on Steam, where the announcement trailer and screenshots are available.

Amanita is also celebrating the announcement with a discount on the original Machinarium, which is 80% off on Steam through October 15.

After nearly two decades, Josef's journey is finally continuing, and this time Berta will be solving the puzzles alongside him.