Aztaka

Aztaka
Developer(s) Citérémis
Publisher(s) Citérémis
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows & OS X
Release May 2009
Genre(s) Action role-playing game, Metroidvania[1]
Mode(s) Single-player

Aztaka is a PC 2D side-scrolling action role-playing video game for Microsoft Windows and OS X developed by Canadian independent game developer[2] Citérémis. The game is set in the Aztec period, with characters and story being re-interpretations of Aztec mythology and pre-Hispanic Mexican culture. It puts the player in the role of an Aztec warrior named "Huitzilo" who must gather seven phonographs to save his civilization from its angry gods.

Gameplay

Game screenshot

The gameplay is reminiscent of an old-school action role-playing game. The player climbs, crawls and jumps his way around a level to explore it and find new items. Experience points are gained for every enemy killed, and they are spent to upgrade the character's attributes and special skills. There is also an inventory screen where discovered items can be equipped and where merchandise bought from merchants (like potions) can be used.

The game is controlled with the WASD keys and the mouse. The keyboard makes Huitzilo move and jump like in a platform game. The mouse is used to drag-and-drop on-screen energy particles. Doing this allows the player to modify parts of the game world, as well as unlock a variety of doorways or pick-up previously unattainable items. As the player progresses in the game, he gains containers that allows him to store on-screen energy particles for later use. The mouse is also used to cast spells, both offensive and defensive, by selecting them from the bottom-screen magic inventory and then clicking at on-screen targets in succession to launch them.

Artwork throughout the game reflects historical Mesoamerica, with square-shaped pyramids, stone temples, mystic engravings, dense jungles, and barren mountaintops. The game's musical score features vocals, flute, cello, organ, and drums.

Plot

The game is set in the Aztec period, with characters and story being re-interpretations of Aztec mythology and pre-Hispanic Mexican culture. Aztaka puts the player in the role of an Aztec warrior named "Huitzilo" who must gather seven phonographs to save his civilization from its angry gods.

History

Aztaka was developed by Citérémis, a Canadian independent game developer with demo releases publicly available in begin 2009.[3] The game was released as DRM-free digital self-distribution on the developer's website in May 2009.[4][3] Later in 2009 the game was also sold also on Steam and Direct2Drive.[3] In 2011, Citérémis offered a "Developer's Edition" for a limited period of time (7 to 31 January 2011).[5] This edition was priced $19.99 (normal version $9.99) and included the source code of the game, as well as the Art book and soundtrack.[6][7]

In 2012 the game was part of a game bundle sale.[8]

Reception

The game was received by press and game news websites overall good to mixed.[9][10][11][3] Aztaka was mentioned in an article about indie game development in March 2012 in Italian magazine The Games Machine.[2] Aztaka received the Game Tunnel "Gold award 2009".[12] According to the developer himself in 2011 the game earned not enough to cover the expenses and would have been therefore a commercial failure.[5] On the other hand, Steamspy reported in 2017 40,000 owners which would indicate at least a covering of the expenses.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Otten, Rick (September 30, 2013). "Metroidvania: Game Design 101". IGN Benelux. Retrieved July 13, 2016. Ook in het Westen hebben Metroidvania-fans echter niet stilgestaan. Zo was Aztaka bijvoorbeeld een erg interessant spelletje...
  2. 1 2 the-games-machine-italia-284
  3. 1 2 3 4 mictlan-aztaka-demo on Rock, Paper, Shotgun
  4. ↑ Official game website (archived)
  5. 1 2 citeremis-releases-aztaka-developers-edition/ on citeremis "The budget: $235,000 borrowed from friends and family who trusted them. Since its release in May 2009, Aztaka has received positive reviews by many websites, and has achieved total revenue of about $35,000. To bridge the gap: Aztaka Developer's Edition, that will only be available from Jan. 7th 9:00 AM (EST) until 11:59 PM on January 31st." (January 10, 2011)
  6. ↑ Aztaka Developer’s Edition on amanitadesign.com (January 7, 2011)
  7. ↑ Aztaka Developer's Edition Released on gamershell.com (January 10, 2011)
  8. ↑ Twice The Bundle, Twice The, Uh, Fundle by Alec Meer on Rock, Paper, Shotgun (June 19th, 2012)
  9. ↑ Aztaka review from Just-RPG.com (2009)
  10. ↑ Aztaka review from DIYGamer (2009)
  11. ↑ Aztaka Review by David Stone on Gamezebo (Jun 23, 2009)
  12. ↑ best-games-of-september-2009 on gametunnel.com (September 2009)
  13. ↑ Aztaka on Steamspy (January 2017)
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