When first trying out Aztech Forgotten Gods, I used to be happy to see the theme centered on a model of the Aztec empire which didn’t contain sure foreigners coming in and wrecking up the joint. As an alternative, the Aztechs bought to expertise their very own “Darkish Ages” and “Renaissance/Enlightenment” interval. There’s a thriving civilization with astounding know-how. The twist is that archaeologists have found a few of the artifacts from earlier than their technological decline and ascent, and the findings are astounding. After which…

Earlier than we get all the best way to the “after which…,” let’s take a look at “what’s,” OK? There’s a lot to unpack with this recreation, so let’s begin with what the sport is supposed to be.

Aztech Forgotten Gods is an open world, motion/journey recreation set within the metropolis of Tenochtitlan. The world could also be open—you may stroll round exploring till the solar comes up within the recreation—however it’s a small world. Your title is Achtil, and you’re the daughter of a famend archaeologist (aka “mother”) who has found some fascinating artifacts in an underground compound. Achtil’s life isn’t all that enjoyable at the beginning of the sport; she is what you would possibly name a “freelance courier” (which sounds extra glamorous than supply lady). The sport contains numerous dialogue, so you might find yourself studying greater than you actually need concerning the historical past of your civilization. As with most journey video games, you’re handled to the routine of incomes factors to get upgrades so you may tackle progressively highly effective baddies.

Talking of pricey previous mother, you determined to assist her out and ended up with a prosthetic arm which may do some actually neat stuff. With this new toy on, you may actually punch stuff foolish, you may seize a ledge and run alongside partitions as simply as operating on the bottom, and, after all, you may fly through the use of the built-in thruster. After all, because the hero of an journey recreation, your job is to in the end save the world. No strain.

Now that we’ve taken a take a look at the character of the sport, let’s check out the options and features. I’m sorry to say that the overview will get much less comfortable from right here on.

On the outset, every little thing seemed actually inviting. As talked about, it takes place in a future the place the Aztec folks (notably intelligent of us) had been allowed to advance with out interference. They created a significantly superior civilization, and by itself, that is an attention-grabbing experiment. Coupled with the distinctive visuals (artwork, structure, and many others.), it ought to have been enthralling.

But it surely isn’t. Once I performed via the tutorial, the sport seemed nice and there was a lot promise in these sequences. As soon as I bought into the sport correct, the standard of the graphics took a big hit. The town incorporates just some Aztec fashion pyramids scattered round a metropolis which in any other case seems to be prefer it was constructed out of these cardboard “constructing blocks” from kindergarten. The textures are a bit flat and smeared-looking at shut vary. On high of this, there are far too many rendering points: methods to see underneath buildings that are sitting on the bottom, discovering your self half inside a wall, trying up from underneath a section of sidewalk…you get the image.

As talked about, town you’re in operates on an open world. It is a small world, so it doesn’t take too lengthy to get round. The issue is that for the primary couple of chapters you’re wandering with none vital steering. There are spires of sunshine which point out goals (don’t neglect to look as much as spot them). A few of these goal markers point out the place you may have interaction in aspect quests (like fight) to get further expertise or loot. These should not nicely executed and are a bit disjointed from the principle story. If the first story and motion sequences had been higher ready, these side-quests might simply be executed with out.

What seems to be a supply of assist seems to be nearly an entire time-sink, and that’s the different folks within the metropolis. You possibly can stroll as much as nearly any individual within the place and press A to speak with them. The issue is that they may discuss to you and supply nearly nothing in the best way of helpful data. Among the townspeople’s dialogue will get a bit preachy to the purpose of being sanctimonious. Not solely do the NPCs on the town discuss an excessive amount of with out saying something vital, they appear a bit like balloon creatures with flat to nonexistent options. So, you’re left to wander round a blocky metropolis with flat folks and are anticipated to simply determine it out. Luckily, the passage of time doesn’t negatively have an effect on your waypoints for advancing the story.

The cityscape issues have already been addressed, so let’s take a look at the characters. Right here, too, we see a mixture of promise and disappointment. The futuristic aesthetic may very well be nice enjoyable, however the graphics are a bit flat right here as nicely. The characters’ outfits, options, and actions are lower than stellar. The best way folks transfer throughout dialogue sequences seems to be like a foul loop with a bobblehead—the identical few motions repeated, and in an ofttimes jarringly unreal vogue which serves to be barely disturbing.

(One odd statement– glasses frames don’t (and shouldn’t) transfer like eyebrows.)

Then there’s the audio. I absolutely perceive the worth of not having to report all of the dialogue in a number of languages when you should use simply translated subtitles, however the clips for all of the “uh,” “mmm,” “huh,” and so-on are few and repeated to the purpose of being annoying.

The battle sequences are additionally problematic. Your new arm is kind of the whammer, however the recreation mechanics make it troublesome to essentially use it to its full potential. There’s a form of goal lock function, however it’s far sufficient from good to begin to be a hindrance. Fight typically finally ends up simply hitting the assault button as quick as you may simply to remain alive.

This isn’t actually associated to fight, however I’m throwing this in as a warning; there are a number of our bodies of water within the metropolis and considered one of them will electrocute you slowly. There isn’t a getting out when you get in, you simply wait to die. Actual enjoyable, there.

Aztech Forgotten Gods is about up with all the suitable parts, however the execution feels both rushed and unfinished or overexposed and never well-developed. I used to be actually hoping for extra, however the mildly instructive tutorial is about the very best a part of the entire thing.