Aztaka
Platform: Windows
Being born to a destiny is not all that great. Where everyone else gets to grow up and hang around the jungle, get a job as a canoe maker and maybe even get a nice place next to the Piranha pond, you are stuck being trained in the mystic arts of the local Aztec temple. Not only that, but just as your training is done, your evil half-sister turns up and steals a very sacred artifact. Since the local clergy didn't invest in some kind of plan for such an event (and didn't bother insuring the artifact either), it falls upon you to trek across the jungles, swamps, mountains and deserts to track her down and get the artifact back, fighting lizard people, dart-blowing monkeys and acid-spitting wall adornments along the way. Fortunately, Huitzilo is up for the job in Aztaka, an indie action/RPG platform game from Citeremis.
In the works for over two years, Aztaka is a crafty blend of side-scrolling action mashed up with role-playing mechanics like equippable gear and stats. Huitzilo, armed with his guile, acrobatic skills, and spear, charges into this adventure with the help of Ayohpa, another warrior who was turned into a hummingbird somewhere in the past but is still a very capable sorcerer. This sidekick adds the ability to wield magic attacks. Huitzilo is controlled with the [WASD] keys, while the mouse is wielded to target enemies, execute physical and magical attacks, as well as grab different energies.
These energies tend to be dropped by slain foes and can be stored in different vassals that Huitzilo finds during his adventure. They actually form a large part of the game's central mechanics. He also finds cash, which is used to buy new trinkets that improve his odds in the wild: stuff that gives him more agility for critical strikes, dodging attacks and, of course, do more damage with that spear of his. Ayopha can also be enhanced with gear, pushing its ability for magic attacks.
Backing all of this is a role-playing stats system: you gain experience as you play and with each level you improve the duo's chances for survival by adding to their health, dexterity and power. There are also new attacks to learn, uncovered usually doing favours for characters or paying them for the new technique.
Analysis: Aztaka might sound like a typical RPG experience (right down to the quest system), but it is ultimately a smart platform game that mixes a lot of depth into the run-and-jump formula. Although you attack (and execute magic) with your mouse, the meat of the game experience is in nimbly jumping around the bad guys, sticking them with your spear and staying out of the way of their attacks. The additional moves you learn all blend seamlessly with the side-scrolling experience. For example, one skill lets you damage enemies by jumping into them — it's pretty ninja, really. Eventually Huitzilo learns to wall-jump as well, allowing him to reach higher areas (and upping the ante for platform jumping sections)
But Aztaka also breaks the platformer mold — and not simply because it adds some stats to the mix. Some of the things you encounter can't be used immediately and only come in reach of Huitzilo's grasp once he gains a certain skill or item. One example is an entire underground area hidden behind a massive door that can only be smashed open once you get a new spear, itself found in a temple later in the game. Put simply, there is a lot of backtracking, but it doesn't feel forced and is more like willing exploration. Aztaka manages to package a fairly non-linear experience in a very linear world.
In fact, there is a lot about Aztaka that makes it an exceptional game to play. The visuals are great, as is the terrific soundtrack. Initially the combat system seems clumsy, but the game manages to keep you hooked even through its tricky sections. The enemies vary a lot and things are kept mixed enough that you never feel like you are just gaming by numbers. Three difficulty levels makes sure that all kinds of gamers will be able to get into it and there are a of bonus objects and such to discover.
Recently, Aztaka developer Citeremis released the Aztaka Developer's Edition in an attempt to bridge the gap between the money borrowed to create the game and the sales made since its release. This new edition includes the game's source code, soundtrack, and an art book, all bundled together for a reduced price. Unfortunately, the game also comes with a few bugs — even during this review, one game-ending flaw showed up, forcing a restart. Citeremis is working on patching this and other problems, though, and to be honest, even having to start over didn't leave all that sour a taste in my mouth.
Aztaka has a lot going for it. It is a terrific experience and has the pedigree to be a indie hit. At its core Aztaka sticks to being a fun platform game with more surprises under the hood (though with its share of hit-detection issues) and is a shining example of how much more creative indie games are than the mainstream stuff. Aztaka comes with its problems, but problems that are being ironed out. Brush the flaws aside and Aztaka promises a great time and is well worth shelling out a few measly bucks for.
Note: Aztaka Developer's Edition will only be available through January 31. Grab it now if you want the extras!
Windows:
Download the demo
Get the full version
Mac OS X:
Not available.
Try Boot Camp or Parallels or CrossOver Games.
I got this in the Mega Indie Bundle, and it's not bad, with great graphics, and an interesting mix of platforming and RPG elements with a bit of Metroidvania as well, but it has three serious problems that I want to vent about. Other than these three, it's pretty fun.
1. Bosses are ludicrously tough compared to regular enemies, and you probably won't kill them without a bit of grinding. Thankfully, they don't regain their health when you die to them, so you can win with persistence, but I'd prefer an boss I can beat without dying to one I have to die over and over on.
2. They never explain how to cast spells (you have to click on the picture in order), and I didn't figure it out until I almost hit the end. They said they were working on this, but I don't know if the latest version explains it better.
3. The ending is just... meh.
After all this buildup, gathering the magical items, increasing your power, taking down the big bads, you step through the portal and find...
A big textdump describing how you challenge the gods themselves and restore balance to the land. Plain text? Really? For an epic battle like that? What a cop-out!
Thanks James for the review!
@Aegeus, in the latest version (1.5) you can choose the difficulty level and we also introduced about 20 help screen to actually explain how to cast spells and do other tricks.
And about the ending, well,
we wanted to actually make a level in "heaven" with the gods sleeping all around... but we lacked the resources to do it. Sorry...
"These energies tend to be dropped by slain foes and can be stored in different vassals that Huitzilo finds during his adventure."
I'm assuming the spell check changed that from "vessels"? Surely, as heroic as Huitzilo is, he is not lugging around dead medieval sharecroppers to store his energies? :-)
@Jonathan: Does the sale of the developers kit mean that those that buy it can add their own ideas to the game with the possibility they will be incorporated into the official release? (I'm thinking how that might apply to the ending issue you and Aegeus discussed, for example)
Enjoyed the demo. Good graphics and playability, and a good consistent theme.
I've played the demo. It's a good idea, to merge platformer with rpg, and htey've made a good work on the artistic contents, but the entire gameplay is way too stiff.
General Tips
The distance and height you jump is proportional to how fast you move.
Energy is grabbed with the mouse. Move the cursor over a ball of energy, then hold the [right mouse button] while dragging the energy to where you want it.
You can travel back to areas with the map, which appears whenever you exit an area.
Aztaka can be configured, but it's an external program - look for it in the same menu area as the game's start icon.
Aztaka Walkthrough
The Napateouhtili Waterfalls
The Napateouhtili Waterfalls Part 1
After speaking to the priest, run up the hill.
Attack the plants along the way, using [left click].
At the waterfall you will gain the skill to use the green energy. Drag the green ball floating on top of the tree to the gash lower down that same tree.
Jump up the branches and pick up the Aztec Ascendency skill by pressing [s].
Return back down the hill.
The Napateouhtili Waterfalls Part 2
Continue down the hill.
Passing the fire
You run into an evil magician. She sets the stump on fire. Grow the branches on the two trees right of the fire and the one on the left.
Climb across the branches and jump over the fire.
The Broken Bridge
Grow the branches on the tree right on the gorge.
Drag a green org along as you climb on these branches and use the orb on the tree left of the gorge. Jump to the new branch.
Solar Nagual
Just past the first bridge there is a tree with a gash. Grow the branch and climb up to find a Solar Nagual.
The Great Temple of Tenochtitlan
Run up the stairs, killing the rats and bats.
Pick up the Vital Energy Absorption skill.
The Throne Room
Pick up the Vital Energy Container.
Go back outside and fetch a green orb to heal the priest with.
Drag an orb to the container, then go back and drag it to the priest.
Leave via the door just outside the throne room.
Run towards the right and stab all of the bats twice. This will let the merchant do business with you. You can't kill the bats.
Bonus mission
Heal all the guards by dragging green orbs to them.
Treasure Chest
After leaving the throne room through the side exit, go left. There is a treasure chest at the top of a ledge that needs one green energy to open and the Double Jump ability to reach.
Solar Nagual
On the way up to the throne room, there is a Solar Nagual positioned on a beam. You will need the Double Jump ability to reach it.
The Harbutli Jungle
The Harbutli Jungle Part 1
Run to the right, attacking the plants and monkeys. Collect the green orbs they drop.
Use green orbs to grow the branches of the trees located by the cave entrance.
Climb up the trees to the higher ground.
You will see a magician steal life force from a monkey. Defeat the infected money and drag a green orb onto it.
Exit through the black gap in the scenery.
Treasure chest
Located above the cave.
Solar Intervention Spell
Enter the cave and run to its far right. The spell is in the statue's hands.
The Harbutli Jungle Part 2
Defeat the infected monkey and drag a green orb to it.
Continue right and defeat the third infected monkey. Drag a green orb to it. This should complete the quest.
Solar Nagual
Grow all the branches you find in the area to the right. Starting at the stump, climb along the right until you find it.
Side Quest
Go to the left and enter the Sage Hideout.
Drag three green orbs to the large head.
The Harbutli Jungle Part 3 - the Underground Entrance
If you completed the infected monkeys quest, a monkey will open the entrance for you.
The Underground Passage
Run all the way to the right. You will come across a entrance and a chasm. Go through the entrance.
Once through, go to the right until you encounter the statue. Pick up the white energy container.
Go to the left. You will come across a pillar with light shining on it. Drag a green orb to it.
Take the white orb that you created and put it in the container.
Go back through the entrance and use the white orb on the white spots near the chasm.
Jumping the chasm
The chasm is too wide to jump. Go back down to the pillar of light.
Create four white orbs and put them in the container.
Go left.
Use a white orb on the spotted area near the chasm.
Jump across the platforms.
Use a white orb on the lights left on the chasm. Continue left.
Use an orb for either side of the closed entrance. Enter.
Deeper Into The Cave
Go left until you encounter an entrance. Enter.
Beetle boss fight
To defeat the beetle, stand on one side and wait for it to storm. Jump over it and let it hit the wall. Stab it a few times then run for the opposite wall. While the beetle storms, use the solar intervention spell when it storms, then jump over it so it hits the wall. Repeat this a few times.
If you beat it, you get the Jaguar Greaves. Equip them and go through the entrance.
Return back through two entrances and make the jump across the large chasm. To do this, with the jaguar greaves attached, tap right twice then jump. You will jump further.
Continue right until you exit the level.
Treasure
On the Deeper Into The Cave level, continue all the way right. You will find a treasure chest after crossing a chasm.
Solar Nagual
On the same level as the pillar of light, go all the way left. With the Jaguar Greaves, jump across the platforms.
Atlan Miquih Swamps
Keep moving right. Watch out for snakes in the trees.
The Snake Boss
If the snake appears, crouch and stab at it. Watch out for flame attacks.
If the snake appears at the far right, use the Solar Intervention spell.
Beating the boss unlocks the Reptilian Regeneration skill.
Continue right to the level exit.
City of Malinalco
Go right until you are stopped. Watch the cutscene, then move forward to leave the city.
On the other side, pick up the Divine Energy Absorption skill.
Solar Nagual:
Hidden inside a treasure chest beneath the stairs of the city. It costs one green orb to open. You can only access it via the Ancient Ruins.
New Skill:
Give the old man at the top of the stairs 20 green orbs. He will teach you the Rising Spear skill.
Bonus Quest
Talk to the old man with the caldron on the right side of the city. You will need 5 leaves, 5 bananas, 5 mangos. (All found in the Hualahchi Mountains.) The vendor will have subsequent quests involving collecting items found by killing certain creatures.
Bonus Quest
Talk to the guard at the doorway far right of the city about a missing mask. (Search the Ancient Ruins).
Solar Nagual
On the stump at the far side of the city. You can reach it via the Ancient Ruins or with the double-jump ability.
The Hualahci Mountains
The monkeys will keep respawning, so keep moving ahead.
Head to the second entrance.
Treasure Chest:
At the far right of the level.
The Butterfly Path
Go left until you find an entrance. Enter.
Solar Naguak
Defeat the lizard warrior.
Spell
Go to the far left to find the Tropical Gale spell.
The Village's Path
Keep going right until you get to the end of the level.
The Calpollalpan Crossroads
Pass straight through the town.
Bonus Quest
Talk to the old man in the second screen.
Skill
Talk to the guard in the second screen and pay 100 coins for the Air Spin Attack.
The Calpollalpan Mountains
Keep going right. At one stage you will get to a chasm you can jump. Instead of that, go through the entrance left of the chasm.
Higher into the Mountain
Run left to the end of the level.
Temple Entrance
Run left. Avoid being hit by the falling fireballs.
Skill
Pick up the Return from Aztlan skill on the statue while running towards the temple.
The Calpollalpan Temple
Run left until you get to a round area with a blue crystal.
Continue left and get the blue energy orb from the giant statue.
Drag the blue orb back and use it on the blue crystal. This will activate the elevator.
Go down.
Calpollalpan Temple (lower)
Go right.
Take the first lower road.
Take the second higher road.
Climb up the shaft.
At the top, go Left.
Calpollalpan Temple (lower) right
Run up to the switch at the bottom split past the fire and hit it.
Take the top route.
Calpollalpan Temple Right Side
Run to the end (two screens) and hit the door.
Pick up the blue energy container.
Go left, back to the shaft.
At the shaft, go to the top left.
Item
Defeat a centaur to get the Hide Bracers of Vitality.
Calpollalpan Temple (lower) left
Go right.
Once you hit the flame, go up and follow the route.
While moving up, you will see a switch. Hit it and run back before the flame starts.
Head back and move left-and-down.
Pick up the necklace.
Head all the way back to the elevator shaft and go left.
Solar Nagual
Once entering the area, take the lower left split and hit the switch. A flame in front of the Solar Naguak seen in an earlier level is now gone.
Calpollalpan Temple Left Side
Run left until you find a side entrance.
Lunar Nagual
Go all the way to the left.
Calpollalpan Temple Left Side part 2
Break down the left door. Go through
Continue left until you find another door.
Break it and get the Wall Jumping skill.
Go back to the room with the two doors.
Break down the right door.
Continue all the way to the right and get the Rock Smashing Spear.
Return all the way back to the elevator shaft.
Calpollalpan Temple Shaft
Take the elevator all the way to the top.
Use the wall-jump skill to move all the way up.
Tip: Start a wall jump by jumping into a direction ([w] + [a] or [d]), then tapping jump [w] just as you pass the corner of the back wall.
Go left and wall-jump up the small shaft.
The Calpollalpan Temple Summit
Fight the necromancer. Dodge his fire attacks and falling fireballs. Use the jump attack and spells to wear him down.
Head to the Underground Ruin Entrance in the Underground Passage.
The Ancient Ruins
The Ancient Ruins part 1
Break the wall to the ancient Ruins (you need the rock smashing spear found in the Necromancer's temple).
Go right and pick up the phonogram. Continue right.
When you get to two pillars, drop two blue energy orbs onto the spotted area.
Continue right. A bridge will appear of the chasm.
Continue right and go into the entrance at the end.
The Ancient Ruins part 2
Go left.
Take the entrance and go right.
Use two blue orbs on the spots on the wall.
Wall-jump up the two pillars.
Go right until you get to two broken pillars.
Use four blue orbs on the two spotted areas to activate the pillars.
Wall-jump up the pillars.
Go through the entrance at the top platform.
Go to the right. You will eventually emerge in the City of Malinalco.
Run up to the platform, then drop down and go right. Exit to the map screen and head to the Calpollalpan Crossroads.
Solar Nagual
Go to the far right, past the two broken pillars.
Lunar Nagual
Go to the far right, past the two broken pillars.
Treasure
On the platform near the level exit (above the two broken pillars). Requires 5 blue orbs
Under The City
To reach this area, go through The Ancient Ruins and at the top. Instead of going right (which leads to the top of the small temple in the City Of Malinalco), go left. You will emerge in the area under the city.
Treasure
Go left past the exit and under the city stairs.
Lunar Nagual
Go left past the exit and wall-jump up the doorway.
Skill
Talk to the guard under the city. He can teach you the rolling attack.
Crossroads Part 2
Go to the second screen, then go left.
Run left until you get to the entrance.
Use two blue orbs and enter.
Treasure
Just outside the village is a treasure chest. Price: 5 green orbs.
Solar Nagual
After getting the double jump sandals in the crypt, head to the left and jump on the sloping pillar. Then double-jump onto the crypt roof to reach the Solar Nagual.
The Ancient Crypt
Run to the far left and collect the Double Jump sandals.
Go all the way back to exit to the map.
Head to the Calpollalpan mountains.
The Calpollalpan Mountains
Head right until you get to the massive chasm.
Double-jump over the chasm.
The Malacetepek Crater
Continue Right and defeat the dragon boss.
Get the phonogram.
Keep right until you exit
The Ancient Path
The Ancient Path part 1
Go right until the level exit.
Go left and roll into the mouth of the statue at the end ([s] + [a])
The Ancient Path part 2
Continue right and down the cliff.
Go into the first entrance.
The Aztec Gate
You will learn a new skill.
Follow to the end
Spell
You will see the Storm spell as you move into the second part of this area. Continue to the edge of the cliff and then use green orbs to grow branches on all the trees. Jump across to the end and roll into the monkey statue's mouth. Follow the tunnel and flick all the switches in the complex. Then go back and drop down to the area below the trees. Move all the way left to the end, where a giant boulder blocks an entrance. If you flipped all of the switches, the boulder will shift out of the way. Enter it to emerge where the spell is.
Tiacopan Village
Go right and help Axayacalk in the fight.
It's a big fight - be sure to use your spells and grab the green orbs that drop for healing.
Bonus Item
Talk to Axayacalk after the fight. She will open a door to an underground area where you will find new armor.
The Brute's Bridge
The brute is easily defeated using spells and the jump attack.
Itzlacolk's Jungle
Navigating the jungle is tricky. You can refer to the map below.
Map (SCREEN)
Run to the Tree Of Life
Finding The Tree Of Life
After entering the area, go right and take the first exit.
At the second screen, go all the way to the left and exit.
You'll appear in the middle of a new area, the Deeper Jungle. Go right until you exit the screen.
You will need to defeat the flies - the quest specifies how many you need to eliminate.
Defeating The Flies
Red Eyes: Southern Jungle
Green Eyes: Itzlacolk's Jungle
Blue Eyes: Deeper into the Jungle
Once you have defeated the flies, head back to the Tree Of Life.
Fight the three fly bosses.
Return to the Tree Of Life - it will tell you the locations of all seven phonograms (these are also now in your quest log).
From the Tree Of Life, head right into the next area.
Keep right past the glowing rock and up to the blocked entrance.
Use a gold energy orb to unlock the area.
Skill
Go under the jungle and find the statue at the far left of the cave.
Lunar Nagual
On a statue deeper into the jungle
Itzlacolk's Ruins
Go right until you find an entrance. Enter it.
Run through the cave and break the entrance at the far right.
Enter it and continue right.
Keep going right until you find the totem face.
Feed it two blue energy orbs. This will unlock the rightmost entrance in the first area.
Return to the first area and go to the rightmost door.
Continue through the cave and demolish the blocked entrance at the far right.
Pass through the entrance and run until you encounter another totem.
Feed the totem two blue energy balls. This will unlock the leftmost entrance on the first area.
Return to the first area and go to the leftmost door.
Pass through the door and continue left until you encounter Itzlacolk.
Itzlacolk Boss Fight
You can use your shield spells in order to get close to him. Alternatively, keep laying down spells for damage.
Beating Itzlacolk will give you new equipment, as well as a scroll and one of the phonograms.
Exit the forest and head to the Ant Hill.
Spell
Go to the far right of the area where you find the first totem. You will find the Pure Shield spell.
The Ant Hill
Drop into the big hole of the ant hill.
Go right and follow the first downwards tunnel.
Go left and follow the second downwards tunnel (jump over the first).
Go to the area with all the pods to the right. Destroy them all and get the Gold Energy container. (requires one gold orb to activate - kill the large ant soldiers to get gold orbs).
Go back up one level and go to the downwards tunnel to the right.
Go all the way right to another downwards tunnel.
Go down the tunnel and at the bottom go left.
Ant Boss Fight
Keep attacking the ant boss with spells and dodge the energy attacks. The Tropical Gale spell works best.
After defeating the boss, an exit will open up. Take it and teleport to outside the ant hill. Exit to the map.
Solar Nagual
From the bottom of the entrance, go right to the first downwards tunnel, Go down and then go all the way left to the second downwards tunnel. Instead of going down, go up into a room with pods. Destroy the pods.
Special Necklace
From the entrance, go right to the first downwards tunnel. Go down and left to the large room. Destroy all the pods - one will contain an old man who leaves behind a special necklace.
Lunar Nagual
From the entrance, go right to the first downwards tunnel. Go down and left to the first downwards tunnel. Go down and at the bottom turn left again. Go into the room at the far end of the tunnel and destroy the pods.
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