*** This archive contains executable code (Global Script.py). If you don't trust me and can't read Python well enough to check it for malicious behaviour, be safe and don't install it! ***

1. Go to the World directory of your Knytt Underground installation ("C:\Program Files (x86)\Nifflas\Knytt Underground\World" for me)
2. Back up the files "Global Script.py" and "Dialog\Dialog.ini".
3. Extract the zip into the root KU directory. It should overwrite the two files you just backed up
4. Run the game. Press F9 to see the debug menu

F9 opens the debug menu
F11 repeats your last directional "Tour" teleport.

Your "Tour" is the location on the map you last teleported into. This is useful because if you teleported into an abyss and fell off the screen, you could hit "Return to Tour" to go back to where you intended to go. You could also hit "Tour Right" to teleport to the right of your "Tour" location. This allows you to explore the world while still having a reference point so you don't get lost. The Tour location unfortunately gets reset when changing chapter.

Even though all the rooms are on just one big map. The game is divided into 3 chapters, and many sections of the map are only available when you're in the right chapter. If you get an error message while teleporting, try going back to the main menu and choosing a different chapter. Using the directional "Tour" teleport functions will try to jump over areas you can't land, but sometimes will just silently fail.

My motivation for doing this: irrational programming compulsion. Python is fun, kids. Just remember to blink.

the main menu.

Chapter 3!

Neon Fall was SOO COOOL and Mathias' Debug Teleporter is total gamedev porn

Small: 1/16th scale, 2914x1512px, 288kB: http://i4.minus.com/iblXWeHpNImFTC.png
Medium: 1/8th scale, 5828x3024px, 844kB: http://i2.minus.com/ikSI6fLwQPeTO.png
Large: 1/4th scale, 11656x6048px, 1763kB: http://i5.minus.com/iq13KRmSKBs2b.png

Having just finished Saira, here is my feedback.

Gameplay
I love the Knytt/Saira style of platforming and cannot get enough of it, but there was one quirk that really threw me: being unable to turn around in midair. It caused me many deaths and unwanted falls and was the bane of my timetrials. Aside from that, it was perfect!

With occasional hints from the computer, I finished all the puzzles without getting too stuck. I liked them, they were fun and helped break up the platforming.

Story
I liked the story, the nightmares/flashbacks and the endings. I collected all the items before realizing that I didn't need all of them though. While I love having multiple endings, I don't think the 'choose which items you use at the end' approach is the best. I actually prefer the cascading approach of earlier games where you would get the first ending, then be compelled to go back and get to the extra-hard-to-reach places to get a second ending. Still, experimentation is always welcome.

Art
The layered effect was pretty awesome, as were the high quality landscapes and higher-than-knytt resolution. It struck me as odd that there were enough critters to make the worlds feel not completely desolate, but not enough critters to seem like they were thriving without any sentient beings left in the galaxy. I'd recommend focusing a bit more on the ambiance caused by the critters. In Knytt, there were many and they had a lot of personality, it made the game feel playful. If there were skeletons and all the critters ran away from you, it'd feel more treacherous. If you want it to feel like the end of all life in the universe, stick to maintenance robots, ID scanning doors, carnivorous plants, etc.

My point is that the interactive parts of the environment play a huge role in the player experience, and there was room for a lot more in Saira.

General
When I heard there was a new PC game here I was ecstatic! Hearing NightSky is WiiWare Exclusive all that time ago really made me panic. I'm happy Nifflas is still making games that I don't have to buy a console to play.

Also, an idea/recommendation: Putting a feedback system in-game would rock. Especially if modders could also use it to get their levels reviewed. If, at the end of each level, players were prompted to optionally rate it on art/design/etc. and comment, you'd get some fine-grained feedback on which bits of the game work and which don't - useful for experimenting with art and gameplay ideas. Also, it could be heralded as one of the first cases of a gamedev who actually wants feedback from their players. Even if the feedback was ignored, the publicity alone would be worth it.

TL;DR / Conclusion
Although I completed it in several hours, Saira was $13.50 well spent. The gameplay was fantastic and the art upgrade was a good move. The environments did seem a bit less interactive than previous games and I think that having more critters and in-world puzzles would improve the game a lot. Still, Saira was so good I'll probably buy the next Nifflas game without even needing to play the demo.