One of my favorite modern video game movements, particularly regarding indie games, is this increased inclination to be culturally expressive. Homages, symbolisms, and blatant themes and motifs are derived from all sorts of places. Most of us are used to themes revolving around bigger cultural icons, like angels and Greek gods and all of that.
Do not get me wrong–I still love that kind of thing. But, Guayota, developed by Team Delusion and published by Dear Villagers, has such a unique plotline revolving around gods and goddesses I never heard of before. Several months ago, I had the lovely experience playing Tchia, a similar passion project in that the game highlighted core aspects of island culture otherwise not voiced to the world. I had yet to play or watch anything inspired by the Guanche’s mythology, the native inhabitants within the Canary Islands. This is what Guayota is all about.
This game is a 3D platforming puzzle adventure released back on August 13th, 2024. It can be played on the PC, on Steam, and the Nintendo Switch.
Hell is a place on Earth
Inspired by Guanche mythology and the legends of the Canary Islands, Guayota begins in the year 1506 with a group of Spanish explorers in search of Saint Brendan’s Island. This island is monikered “Paradise on Earth,” stirring a great deal of intrigue and rapaciousness. You play as a young record-keeper; someone who documents events that happen during your adventure, and record signs of historically significant information, like murals on the wall.
The player comes to find out that “Paradise on Earth” is more akin to a hell.
The player suffers a bit of a foggy memory once the ship crashes into Saint Brendan’s. You come across your colleague Nicholas, a chronicler who claims that the rest of the group has become lost inside the island’s temple. Nicholas feels that something is watching him in there, but shakes off the nerves knowing that they are supposedly in paradise. You will venture into this rustic-looking spiritual temple, making note of murals and geometric symbols, and looking for your colleagues Rodrigo, Leopoldo, and Aurelio.
The temple seems normal . . . at first. Things quickly go south as the player appears to be decimated by toxic fumes, suddenly transcending into this dark, permanent insanity, only to be saved by a little blue spirit dubbed Maxio. This is the spirit of a former shaman, who as you learn via the murals was imprisoned between walls while still alive. How cruel. This is the first marker that “paradise” is not as it seems.
The sun, the moon, and the stars
Guayota is a mythological demon, otherwise known as “the destroyer.” Former inhabitants of Tenerife would appease the demon by giving offerings to the island’s volcano. Achaman, the sky deity, eventually sealed the demon inside of the volcano, freeing Magec, the god of the sun, who then returned light to the world. Achaman will be responsible for powering these “glistening stones” the player comes across, which are used to open various doors within temples.
The game features a lot of symbology associated with the good gods Achaman, Magec, and the water and fertility goddess Chaxiraxi. While the temple’s murals give informative details of the past, they also express dire warnings of a potential future for the explorers filled with peril and demise. The player might witness these murals during a trance state, understanding the original Guanche intent. Otherwise, the player may see the murals in its altered form. The pictures are distorted and laced with biblical themes. According to Nicholas, this is either intentional desecration by Saint Brendan and his crew themselves, wanting to catholicize the island’s inhabitants, or . . . there is a more cryptic purpose of hiding an ugly truth.
The triune seal
Guayota is very Zelda-like in terms of temple and puzzle designs. The game most resembles A Link to the Past or A Link Between Worlds. Instead of Link and his sword and Navi, you play as a curious Spanish explorer kindling a torch and blue spirit called a Maxio instead.
The player is able to hit, pick up items, and mad-dash through crystalline walls. The puzzles are quite organic and fun, complex yet not too arduous. Some challenges are timed, and some temple rooms feature a surplus of deadly traps.
There are two level modes: “The Real World” and “The Plane of Madness.” You begin in the former version, and if you die, the level becomes the remixed madness design. Ironically, “The Plane of Madness” is significantly easier to solve. The original, real level is full of obstacles and dangers. Your character can take three hits before plunging into a dark madness. Beating either version of the level will allow you to progress, but beating both versions gives the player additional lore.
Honestly, some of “The Real World” traps are quite finicky. This is majorly contributed to unconcise hitboxes (I swear I did not touch that blade)! The screen only follows the torch the player holds, so if you are up against a wall, it is incredibly difficult to see. You can hardly rotate the camera, so there may be these annoying obstacles completely outside of your view. Otherwise, Guayota is an enjoyable “mind boggler.”
A folktale of dark and grim
Guayota looks super charming and shadowy. The cut scenes are reminiscent of a folkish storybook and the gameplay itself is pleasingly cel-shaded. I enjoy the character designs, in which they look like Jawas from Star Wars.
The game features enthralling, well-performed narration during the cut scenes. Absolute applause to Sarah Nightingale who provided the voiceovers. In my opinion, she has one of the most amazing storytelling voices I have heard in a long time. Please, turn up your game volume!
The soundtrack is quite beautiful; folksy at the campsite area but otherwise mystically ominous inside of the temples. With its own uniqueness, the music hits that Zelda vibe.
Final thoughts
Guayota is the kind of game where my enjoyment increased parallel to my playtime, taking perhaps 7-9 hours to finish. While the characters themselves could have been potentially fleshed out more, the story itself is wonderous, twisted, and both holy and unholy. I learned so much about Guanche spirituality and was able to do so by immersing myself in Zelda-like gameplay.
While there are several hiccups, it is hard to imagine a 3D platformer not having them anyhow. Also, there are two potential endings you can receive. One is a miraculous finale against fate, and the other has the crew succumbing to a bitter end. So, be wise players. Guayota is a monstrous entity to behold.
