Max and the Magic Marker sequel is an XBLA exclusive due this spring

Developer Press Play has unveiled a sequel to its platformer Max & The Magic Marker, which debuted in 2010 and is available on a number of systems except for Xbox 360. The next game, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, will change that.

The Curse of Brotherhood will release exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade this spring because of Microsoft's acquisition of the studio in 2012. Max and his marker return on an adventure to save his brother, Felix, who is taken away by evil forces. Worse, Max wished for it to happen.

“We knew we would like to do something based on the theme of family," writes designer Mikkel Thorsted in a blog post that explains the studio's inspirations for the game. “About sometimes wishing your brother or sister would just go away, only to miss them when they do and ultimately be willing to go through fire and water in order to get them back.”

Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren's 1973 children’s book The Brothers Lionheart influenced the team. So did the famous movie The Goonies.

The game adopts a 3D, more realistic look rather than its predecessor's cartoony, cel-shaded style, but gameplay still remains 2.5D and features physics-based puzzles. It will launch for 1200 Microsoft Points, or $15.

Since The Curse of Brotherhood is targeted at all ages, some of the focus is on "streamlining the often very free and cerebral puzzles from Max & the Magic Marker."

Last year, Press Play released Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin, a top-down platformer for iOS and Windows Phone.

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[via Joystiq]