Curious Aztec mod brings the massive Weighted Companion... Ball.
Portal really helped shine the light on just how much fun puzzle solving can be in first-person shooters, beyond hacking various vending machines. We’re now starting to see a lot more of this environment-based-puzzle facet of gameplay work its way into the genre through various independent titles, such as the impressive student project Tag: The Power of Paint and Half-Life 2 mod Curse.
Set in an Aztec environment, a recent and very curious single-player Unreal Tournament 3 mod known simply as The Ball joins these ranks. Its fundamental puzzle mechanics tend to behave like that of Portal, although instead of carrying around a Weighted Companion Cube with an Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, you must roll around and manipulate a massive Aztecan ball with an ancient piece of tech that can both repel and attract it, solving the many physics-based puzzles.
According to the developer, Toltec Studios, the Meso-American-themed mod transpires in a mysterious temple located within a volcano. “The player has to use a special weapon with a hammer and a magnet attached to move a large gold and steel ball around. He has to utilize that ball to solve puzzles, get around obstacles, and defeat enemies. The mod uses all new art to establish a unique, stylish, and atmospheric experience.” These guys certainly know their stuff, because speaking of design, it looks extraordinarily polished for a mod whose components are mostly custom-made. Visually impressive, to say the least, it appears to have hints of BioShock influences.
It’s clear that a big theme in the mod is mystery, but according to the developer, it invokes this feeling through narrative that’s tied to actual myths. You play as an explorer who somehow finds himself lost in a cavern, bumping into an ancient complex that houses the massive metal ball. “As you progress through the mod, slowly the real purpose of this gigantic complex becomes clear, and you are sucked into a thousands of years old story of betrayal and secrecy,” explains Toltec.
The ball is your only companion while “making your way through the internal workings of ancient ziggurats, golden cities, and huge caverns,” it says. Not only must you use the big sphere of metal to make your way through the complex, but it’s also for crushing enemies into serious roadkill. “Kill mummies by rolling over them with the ball, ensuring a fountain of gibs and blood every time!” A large, undead gorilla is also on the list of enemies.
As an episodic mod, Toltec has already released the first two parts of the story. These are known as Pehua and Oztoc, with a third, dubbed Teotl, due for release on the 7th of May. Head to the website if you’re interested and take it for a spin. You will, of course, require Unreal Tournament 3.
See below for a clip of the first five minutes of Oztoc, the second and most recent episode.
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