Do I need to have played the first game to understand this?
Not at all, the plots aren't connected at all and the story isn't the main focus of either game.
Why isn't the first game on Itchio?
I'm not sure if the contract with the publisher I signed up for the release of Daemon Detective Gaiden 1 allows me to release it anywhere on my own, and I'd rather err on the side of caution. DDG2 originally was meant to be a remake of the first game, but I kept adding so much stuff I decided to make it a sequel eventually.
Can I stream / do Let's Plays of this game?
I, the game's author Yal, hereby fully authorize any and all use of gameplay footage / streaming of this game without restrictions on monetization (including ads in videos or Patreon).
(If someone tries to content-claim your derivative works, you can use this section of text as evidence the claim is unfounded when refuting it)
Is there online co-op?
Nope. Getting couch co-op to work properly was hard enough, and I have absolutely no experience with netcode. Maybe one day when the stars align... but don't count on it happening any time soon. However, it's possible to use Steam's "remote play together" feature on non-steam games, so you could use this for online co-op if you can deal with a bit of lag.
How does co-op work?
When selecting characters, multiple players can drop in. You can change active players between levels at any time. In co-op, you won't reset from a checkpoint until EVERY player is dead, and after a set time dead players come onscreen again in a bubble that can be popped by other players to revive them. Every character has unique abilities, letting you do different things - block bullets so other players can traverse safely, take out enemies from a safe distance with magic, or use double-jumps to grab hard-to-reach collectibles more easily.
Will the game be on Steam?
I have no plans for that currently, since the market is so saturated by asset flips and other low-quality stuff and there's quite a bit of paperwork needed to become a Steam developer. I also personally prefer Itchio as a marketplace. But if I do end up making a Steam release later, I will send Steam keys to everyone that bought the game on Itchio retroactively.
Will the game have a Linux port?
I recently ported the codebase over to GameMaker:Studio 2 and a Linux port is in development. I've managed to get the game running on Ubuntu now, but there's a number of stability issues that needs to be solved before it's ready for a commercial release.
It has one now. It's still a bit buggy, though.
Any plans for DLC or content updates later?
I have some ideas for stuff I could add to spice up the game (Dracula, a candy-themed world, an Edo Japan-themed world, a pirate-themed world... perhaps all of the above at once!), but there's currently no concrete plans for it. If I do end up adding additional stuff to DDG2 later, I'm planning to release it as a free update to the game, and then perhaps bump up the price a bit depending on how substantial it is.
I'm a streamer/let's player, can I have free keys?
If you ask nicely.
Can I run this game?
If you've got a modern graphics card, a modern CPU, DirectX 11 or higher installed, and run a standard Windows installation with all the system folders in the default places, then chances are you won't have any problems trying to run the game.
Is this game safe for kids?
Mostly. You fight a whole bunch of zombies and skeletons, the final boss has a pretty dark backstory and there's a handful of jumpscares, but you can turn off blood effects and there's no swearing.
Is this just an edgier Mario clone without cool new ideas?
It's more of a classicvania game with more variety in power-ups. The focus of the game is spread pretty much 50/50 between combat and platforming, instead of being one or the other.
Does this game promote devil worshiping?
No. (It's called Daemon Detective because you're solving cases that was caused by demons, not because you're a detective that's also a demon)
What engine is this game made in?
GameMaker Studio 1.4 for the most part, it's migrated to 2.2 now.
How do I unlock the secret characters?
Collect the secret keys in each world and use them to unlock the paintings in the basement. To unlock all the characters, you'll need to find every key.
Is there a point to collect all the paintings and stars?
You use the paintings to unlock new worlds, and need to beat the bosses of all 8 painted worlds to unlock the final world. There's no point to collect stars, but you can brag about it to your friends or something.
What's the deal with the penguins?
Penguins have the same color scheme as traditional police vehicles and uniforms, and being those incompetent birds that can't fly, they're good for comic relief. They also might be a reference to a certain other game series, dood.
Did you make everything by yourself?
I use a handful of stock sound effects and two music tracks composed by other people, but other than that I've made everything from scratch.
How long did it take to make this game?
I've been working on the codebase for 4 years, though not full-time.
Is Tomato's ability a Jojo reference?
Yes.