Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan by CollectorVision Games brings retro-inspired 2D platforming to the PlayStation 5, following its initial launch on PC and Switch in 2019. Set against the backdrop of a Maya pyramid, the game tells a classic adventure tale where protagonist Sydney Hunter – inspired by Indiana Jones – becomes trapped inside said pyramid. There, you have to reassemble the sacred Haab calendar to prevent chaos and a time freeze. Though far from a story-driven game, the premise serves as a decent foundation for a platformer paying homage to 8-bit action-adventure games – where Rick Dangerous also comes to mind.
The game’s visuals are reminiscent of classic titles, featuring 8-bit graphics that successfully capture the essence of the retro era that inspired it, while adding a few extra details here and there. The vibrant, simple designs and distinct color palette showcase the Maya-inspired environment, with important elements standing out against the backdrop. The graphics may not push any boundaries, but they do contribute to the game’s charm and retro appeal.
Rather than feel like a take on the classic Rick Dangerous, the gameplay mechanics here draw inspiration from games like Shovel Knight, create a compelling and more fast-paced experience. The platforming and combat mechanics are the basis for an engaging and challenging adventure, and the inclusion of 13 powerful Maya gods and mini-bosses adds variety to the experience. Some of the boss fights come with steep difficulty spikes though, and despite its charming look this game can be daunting for more casual players.
One notable aspect of the game is the requirement to collect crystal skulls to unlock new levels, which if you’re not careful can lead to having to replay the same levels multiple times to get enough of them. This forces a degree of exploration on players, which can lead to slightly frustrating backtracking as well – taking you out of the flow of the game for a bit, while the absence of an in-game mini map doesn’t help when you consider how large some of the stages are.
Musically, Sydney Hunter benefits from an awesome chiptune soundtrack that complements the 8-bit visuals, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere. The catchy melodies end up sticking in your head, adding to the overall enjoyment of the experience as another layer of audiovisual retro flair.
In terms of controls, Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan keeps it simple, with basic movements, jumping, and attacking. This makes for a game that’s simple to learn yet hard to master, as precise reflexes and timing are important – and luckily the controls tend to be quite responsive.
In conclusion, Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan emerges as a decent platformer that successfully blends classic platformer mechanics with a Maya-inspired setting that should appeal to fans of Dr. Jones. Its excellent platforming and combat mechanics, coupled with an enjoyable chiptune soundtrack, contribute to a compelling gaming experience. However, the occasional difficulty spikes and the need to replay levels can detract from the fun. Despite these flaws, however, the game is a noteworthy addition to the retro-inspired genre, and it’s nice to see this one arrive on the PlayStation 5.
Score: 7.7/10
Press Play Media 