Mulaka

If Mulaka is proof of anything, it’s that there is a definitive impact when games are made by more diverse voices. Mulaka feels deeply personal. A true passion for the Rarámuri culture shines through, as does an equal appreciation for games like Ocarina of Time. Yet what matters most after I’ve put the controller down is that Mulaka is a showcase of something I wasn’t already familiar with. So often are we treated to games that tell the same stories from the same types of people that we begin to feel like we’re simply playing echoes of our own pasts. In a time where people want to build walls,...

Most games aim to entertain. You’ve got your spacemen and your knights and your wizards of all shapes and sizes, racing towards a challenging goal. Some games have loftier aspirations. They want to make you feel something or experience the world from a new perspective. That’s what makes Mulaka so cool. It comfortably inhabits the space in the middle. It aims to expose you to the joy and wonder of a very particular culture. For me, it was largely a new experience and one that I was pretty keen on.

Crossing cultural borders.

What do you get when you combine the base gameplay of Zelda with a backdrop of rich culture from Tarahumara? You get Mulaka, the new indie 3D action-adventure title! But does Mulaka live up to its influencer? Find out in our review!

You better have to choose if it’s worth spending your spare cash, because it might not be the game for you and it might be for others.

While I appreciated the insight into the folklore of the Taramuhara people, Mulaka as a game is about as average as an action adventure title gets. It’s got some great ideas lurking within, but the overall structure is incredibly dated and only really saved thanks to the subject matter. As a game, it’s not really doing much that hasn’t been done better before, but as a cultural insight, it has a lot to offer those interested.

3D action platformers can be some of the most memorable games when done right. Does Mulaka have what it takes to stand alongside genre giants? Grab your favourite spear and get ready for a shape-shifting adventure.

Mulaka takes inspiration from northwestern Mexico, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do the native people (the Rarámuri) have interesting beliefs, but they also were well-known for their long running (which manifests in the game as an endless sprint). The location is also home to some amazing natural geometry, so all the elements are there to be the basis for something great.

Mulaka is a third-person action-adventure game from Mexican developer Lienzo that tells the story of the titular character who is the Sukuruame, or shaman, of the Tarahumara people of Mexico. It tells an interesting story, incorporating true-to-life fables and stories of the Native American people of Chihuahua.

Embracing the rich and largely untold story of Tarahumara culture, Mulaka is a journey of discovery and spirituality in a corrupted world. You play as a Sukurúame, a native Shaman who posses great powers including the ability to see into the spirit world. Spear in hand you set out on a journey to mend the corrupted world, one fallen foe at a time.