As a local Arizonan who’s spent quite a lot of time in Mexico, I may be biased towards Southwestern landscapes and structure, however the pixel artwork in Mariachi Legends is genuinely among the many most interesting I’ve ever seen in a online game. I imply, holy hell:
Transferring on to the meals, that is in all probability my favourite part of Mariachi Legends and the factor that originally drew me to the indie Metroidvania, a style I usually do not dabble in. Guadalajara-based developer Halberd Video games says you’ll discover conventional Mexican recipes all through ranges and prepare dinner them as much as “improve your powers.” I can acknowledge some pollo asada, cebollas curtidas (pickled onions), and churros, however Halberd says we’ll additionally get to “expertise the spiciness of Pozole, the complexity of Mole, and the simple delight of Tacos al Pastor.”
Mexican folklore basically is one thing I do not see explored sufficient in video games, and it brings a much-needed burst of coloration and tradition to the Metroidvania house, which to its credit score, did produce Guacamelee and its sequel, however these have been, uh, much less genuine representations of the tradition from a Canada-based studio.
In Mariachi Legends, you play as Detective Pablo Cruz, who was chosen by Dying herself to descend into Santa Mascota for a robust amulet that’ll cement her rule over the Realm of the Useless and disrupt el Día de los Muertos. In return, she turns you into La Sombra, which provides you the supernatural powers that you must battle off the violent gang encroaching in your hometown.
“Mixing Mexican folklore and traditional arcade gameplay, Mariachi Legends is an action-platforming journey via a world the place the Useless dwell as soon as once more,” reads the Steam description.
Gameplay-wise, Mariachi Legends is described as fast-paced, combat-oriented, and peppered with “versatile RPG mechanics” that “reward exploration and puzzle fixing with highly effective new gear, crafting supplies, cooking components, and difficult alternate areas tied to the day-night system of the sport.”
You will additionally be capable to discover city and take a look at retailers run by locals, share a drink with new mates, and tackle quests ranging “from pleasant and eccentric episodes to investigations into unsolved crimes.”
Mariachi Legends, unsurprisingly, has completely eaten up its preliminary Kickstarter aim. When the marketing campaign went dwell simply this week, it had a funding goal of $51,280, and on the time of writing about 24 hours later, it is at about $85,000. At $90,000 it will add Piñata mode, which seems like a complete occasion, and $140,000 it will introduce a brand new “sub-weapon system.”
The discharge window proper now’s September 2024, and confirmed platforms embrace PC and Nintendo Change.
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