Akuji the Heartless

A three-dimensional TPP action game developed by Crystal Dynamics. The production combines platform elements and fights straight from hack'n'slash games.

Story

Warrior and voodoo priest Akuji is brutally murdered on his wedding day with Kesho. Unknown perpetrators tear his heart out. Some time later, the protagonist, now residing in hell, receives a message from his beloved that his brother, Orad, is behind the crime. The woman asks him to get out of the abyss and save her before she is sacrificed. Akuji embarks on a long journey in which he must win the souls of his ancestors for Baron Samedi if he wants to return to the living world.

Mechanics

Akuji the Heartless works on proven formula. In subsequent levels, Akuji faces various enemies, which he eliminates with blades attached to his hands, as well as spells and abilities acquired during his adventure. The creators prepared a wide range of different types of opponents, from small insects, through the undead, to powerful demons and sorcerers.

In addition, the players have to solve simple logic puzzles and deal with agility-checking platform segments on subsequent maps. The game from Crystal Dynamics offers many varied challenges, and the positive reception of the game is influenced by the design of fourteen maps, forcing to use all the skills available to the hero.

Technical aspects

Akuji the Heartless is based on a 3D engine previously designed for the platform game Gex: Enter the Gecko. The title is considered to be one of the first in which the main role is played by a afro-american character. Richard Roundtree, an actor known primarily for his role of detective John Shaft in films and series from the 1970s, lent his voice to the protagonist.

Last updated on April 15, 2020