Aztez
{{Short description|Side-scrolling brawler turn-based strategy video game}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Aztez
| image = Aztez Header.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Team Colorblind
| publisher =
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
macOS
Linux
| released = August 1, 2017
| genre = Brawler, hack and slash, turn-based strategy
| modes = Single-player
}}
Aztez is a side-scrolling brawler, turn-based strategy video game by Team Colorblind. The player fights through areas within the Aztec empire prior to the Spanish invasion. Aztez was released on August 1, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Gameplay
Aztez is a side-scrolling brawler, turn-based strategy game. Set 20 years prior to the Spanish invasion, the player fights in areas based on places in the Aztec empire. Player weapons include a sword, spear, knife, and club. The game uses a grayscale and blood red color palette similar to that of 2010 action game MadWorld.
Development
Aztez was developed by Team Colorblind, an indie game developer based in Phoenix, Arizona. The studio consisted of a two-person team: Ben Ruiz (artist and designer) and Matthew Wegner. They designed the game to feel like an arcade game, with minimal tutorials, which they felt to be important towards their goal of "empowering people to feel like a badass". They wanted to make the title have the action of God of War or Devil May Cry but lack the "super tedious" elements between fights.
The game targeted a release for Linux, OS X, and Microsoft Windows alongside a subsequent console launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, and Xbox One. Colorblind said they would have preferred to release on all platforms simultaneously, but would delay the console releases due to a lack of development staff. An Xbox One demo was displayed at the 2014 Game Developers Conference. The game was also displayed at PAX East 2014's Indie Megabooth and PAX Prime 2013. When Aztez missed its planned 2014 release window, Team Colorblind announced that their progress was healthy but slow. Aztez was released for PC on August 1, 2017.{{Cite web|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=2017-07-04|title=Aztez, a 2D beat-em-up strategy game set in ancient Mexico, is coming in August|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/aztez-a-2d-beat-em-up-strategy-game-set-in-ancient-mexico-is-coming-in-august/|access-date=2021-06-28|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}} Console versions of the game were planned for a 2018 launch, but have not come out as of July 2022.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/aztez/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Aztez for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 7, 2020}}
| Destruct = 9/10{{cite web |last=Valdez|first= Nick |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-aztez/ |title=Review: Aztez |website=Destructoid|access-date=27 June 2021}}
}}
Aztez has received mostly positive reviews. Ian Birnbaum of PC Gamer praised the game's art style, and noted a potential trend of "historic side-scrollers" with the Greek-themed game Apotheon. GamesRadar wrote that the art style piqued their interest and the combat sustained it. ACG praised the title for its originality but noted that the combat could be confusing at times.{{cite web|title=Aztez Review "Buy, Wait for Sale, Rent, Never Touch?"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhqImnhxs0E|website=YouTube| date=August 2017 }} Caz called it a stylish, substance-filled spiritual successor to the SNES title Actraiser, giving it an 8/10.{{cite web|title=Aztez Review (PC) - Caz|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7W6YndZytA|website=YouTube| date=August 2017 }}
In October 2017, Team Colorblind reported a disappointing launch with only 2,000 copies sold in the first two months.{{cite web|title='Aztez': The bloody indie brawler that should've been big|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/19/indie-games-steam-fail-aztez-developer-interview/|website=Engadget|date=October 19, 2017 }}
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-xbox-one-games/ |accessdate=June 18, 2015 |title=The upcoming Xbox One games for 2015 and beyond |author=GamesRadar Staff |date=June 3, 2015 |work=GamesRadar |publisher=Future Publishing |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617013853/http://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-xbox-one-games/ |archivedate=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/meet-aztez-the-aztec-themed-brawler-with-impeccable-style/ |accessdate=June 14, 2015 |title=Meet Aztez, the Aztec-themed brawler with impeccable style |last1=Birnbaum |first1=Ian |date=April 23, 2014 |work=PC Gamer |publisher=Future Publishing |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063629/http://www.pcgamer.com/meet-aztez-the-aztec-themed-brawler-with-impeccable-style/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/4/4695114/aztez-aims-to-empower-players-to-feel-like-a-badass |accessdate=August 24, 2014 |title=Aztez aims to empower players to feel 'like a badass' |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=September 4, 2013 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304152606/http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/4/4695114/aztez-aims-to-empower-players-to-feel-like-a-badass |archivedate=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/31/5567282/indie-megabooths-pax-east-line-up-includes-aztez-hotline-miami-2-and |accessdate=August 24, 2014 |title=Indie Megabooth's PAX East line-up includes Aztez, Hotline Miami 2 and more |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=March 31, 2014 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612195110/http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/31/5567282/indie-megabooths-pax-east-line-up-includes-aztez-hotline-miami-2-and |archivedate=June 12, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/17/5519718/aztez-trailer-ps4-xbox-one-ps-vita-wii-u-after-pc |accessdate=August 24, 2014 |title=Bloody brawler Aztez coming to consoles and Vita after PC |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=March 17, 2014 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015023410/http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/17/5519718/aztez-trailer-ps4-xbox-one-ps-vita-wii-u-after-pc |archivedate=October 15, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
}}
External links
- {{official website|http://aztez.com/}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:Monochrome video games
Category:PlayStation Vita games
Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups
Category:Turn-based strategy video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games set in Mexico