REVIEW OF AZTECH FORGOTTEN GODS: BATTLING COLOSSI AND BAD INSTRUCTION
Aztech Forgotten Gods by Lienzo is the new title of the indie Mexican developer. It takes a significant step away from their Metroidvania platformer Hunter’s Legacy and their first 2018 title, make. However, it has more similarities with the former, especially regarding the theme and art style. In Aztech, you’ll be on an epic quest to save the world and defeat your demons through a sub-plot.
While my preference for colossus fighting games with good music may influence my opinion of Aztech, it won’t stop me from mentioning some negative aspects. These may be of different importance to each player. However, they did not make the game impossible for me.
STORY – QUESTIONABLE DECISIONS
You will assume control of Achtli (a young girl in her 20s), who stumbles upon an ancient mechanic battle arm called Lightkeeper while digging in the mother’s basement. Your new battle arm will allow you to stop the world from ending. You’ll discover that you have accidentally started the end of the universe. This all takes place in a futuristic cyber-stone Tenochtitlan version, an ancient Aztec city that used to be located where Mexico City is today. It’s at least a part.
Stories are my favorite thing. I love stories and characters. I don’t mind if a game doesn’t have a great story or cares not to have one. Aztech tries to add a sense of narrative depth, but it falls flat. It tries to make you feel connected to the characters and the protagonist’s backstory in just 3-4 hours. However, it does this in an obvious manner that feels like it is trying too hard.
The story attempts to establish character development for the protagonist. While I would say that this part did not fail, as the report’s ending offers a more developed character, I think it was unnecessary. The battles were more important to me than character development. The story is ruined by the fantastic gameplay and competitions, and it ends up being overlooked.
This is the most likely part of the game that people will complain about. Although the story isn’t bad, it is exciting and provides an excuse to play the main event, the fighting. The problems lie in the direction and storytelling.
STORYTELLING: LESS IS More
It is not easy to tell a captivating and compelling story. The storyteller must keep the listener’s attention or the player’s interest in this instance. It is crucial to present the story in a way that is interesting. This includes characters, events and worldbuilding. Justifications are important. Sometimes, what’s left unsaid can be as important or more important than what is being said.
The Storytelling in Aztech has a simple but convoluted . Although there are some interesting elements in the story, it is tedious and annoying to hear the developers ramble on about them.
DIALOGUES-A THORN ON MY SIDE
The most controversial decision regarding Aztech is the one concerning dialogue. Unless you are willing to accept the occasional grunt or vocal expression as voice acting, this game has no voice acting. This isn’t a bad thing. Many games work just fine without voice acting or grunts or sounds, and the words are just text. Problem is the number of dialogues that you must listen to every now and again just for the sake o exposition.
You can skip dialogues, but they are not always necessary. You may not feel compelled to skip dialogues if the story is important to you, as it likely will be for your first playthrough. It stops being enjoyable when it makes reading the dialogues feel like you are trying to swim through a river to reach the other side.
