Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui

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Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui
Developer(s) CrainyCreations
Director(s) Crainy
Composer(s)
  • Garrett Beelow
  • Jonathan Kaplan
Engine StarCraft II
Platform(s) macOS, Windows
Genre(s) Action role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui is an upcoming fan-made action role-playing video game created by CrainyCreations. Based on The Lego Group's Bionicle line of constructible action figures, it is an open world action role-playing game and a reimagining of the 2001 Bionicle story. In the game the player controls the Toa, elementally-powered warriors who set out to free Mata Nui and its inhabitants from the evil Makuta, who have corrupted the native Rahi animals. A trailer was released in April 2020, with gameplay and combat trailers released in the following days. The trailers have been received positively by critics, who have praised the gameplay and visuals.

Contents

Gameplay and story

Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui is an open world action role-playing game. [1] It is being developed in the StarCraft II engine. [2] Combat consists of various types of melee attacks and elemental attacks; additional abilities come from Kanohi masks, which can be toggled between at will. [3] Progression in the game comes from collecting Kanohi masks, which grant the player new abilities and open up new parts of the game world to explore, as well as in collecting disks, which allow the player to upgrade abilities. [1] [4] The game was planned to have multiplayer with up to six players, matching the total number of playable Toa. According to Crainy, the implementation would have been similar to multiplayer mods for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim , where each player is treated equally in regards to story. [5] However, in a post on Discord on May 20, Crainy announced the feature would not be available at launch. [2]

The game's story will follow the 2001 Bionicle story arc where the six Toa, elemental warriors, set to free the island of Mata Nui from the control of the evil Makuta, who is controlling the island's wildlife, known as the Rahi. [6]

Development and promotion

According to the game's creator, Crainy, Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui has been in development since March 2014. [1] [7] In an interview with TechRaptor, Crainy explained that he had been a fan of Bionicle since he was a kid and had always wanted to play a Bionicle role-playing video game; he described the project as being the game he always wanted to play. [5] Most of the game's development was done by Crainy, and he received help in some areas like 3D modeling. [5] After the public release of the game's trailer, the project acquired additional talent to help with 3D modeling, writing, and composing. [8] Tony Wedgewood, who provided voiceovers for the Bionicle commercials from 2000 to 2010, confirmed that he would provide dialogue and voiceovers for promotional material for the game. [9]

The game does not have a set release date; Crainy intends to release versions of the game only when there is a "more or less complete Bionicle experience". [5] Beta tests will be conducted at some point. The game will be free to play and no money will be charged. [5]

The game's was officially announced in a trailer in April 2020. [10] Combat and gameplay trailers were released in the following days. [4] [3] Lego Games, via the Lego Ambassador Network, confirmed in September that Crainy was in talks with the studio regarding the continued development of the game, and that they "see game development as an exciting opportunity to add new way to engage with the LEGO brick". [11] In an interview with Vice that same month, Crainy said he had met with Lego and the company had given him some guidelines that would prevent the project from facing legal action; Lego specifically noted the game could not be released for profit. Crainy said that "I am confident that I can complete the game according to my vision that I've always had for it". [12]

Reception

Wes Fenlon of PC Gamer called it "the kind of impossibly ambitious fan project that sounds like it would never actually get made or released" but was impressed by the combat, environments, and existence of side quests. Although he said that "there's a lot that feels missing from a proper finished game, even after six years of work", he praised it as "impressive for a fan project" and felt the game had a good chance at being completed. [1] Imogen Donovan of VideoGamer.com called the game "resplendent" and praised its cutscenes as being superior to the Bionicle direct-to-video films. She also felt that its narrative could be comparable to other open-world games and noted its combat style as being similar to that of the Dark Souls series. [13] Dale Bashir of IGN said that "a lot of love can be seen in the project, especially in how faithful the ten-man team stuck to the source material" and praised the addition of side characters like Jaller and Takua. [6] Maximilien Cagnard of Jeuxactu praised the ambition of the game and said he would almost like to see Lego officially license and fund it. [14] Przemysław Wańtuchowicz of Eurogamer Poland praised the ambitiousness of the game as well as its dynamic combat. [15] Vice writer Patrick Klepek said Quest for Mata Nui looks "legitimately good" and that he would "totally believe" it was an official Lego product. [12]

Fabiano Uslenghi of GameStar praised the nostalgia the trailer offered but was somewhat skeptical of if it could be completed and that Lego wouldn't intervene. [16] Ewan Moore of LADBible also was concerned but felt that the dormant status of the Bionicle franchise would mean Lego wouldn't have a reason to. [17] Fenlon speculated that the game would be safe, noting that Lego had not taken down other Bionicle fan games like Lego Bionicle: The Legend of Mata Nui Rebuilt or fan servers for Lego Universe , a discontinued massively multiplayer online game. [1]

Related Research Articles

Bionicle is a line of Lego construction toys, marketed primarily towards 8-to-16-year-olds. The line originally launched in 2001 as a subsidiary of Lego's Technic series. Over the following decade, it became one of Lego's biggest-selling properties, turning into a franchise and being one of the many factors in saving the company from its financial crisis of the late 1990s. Despite a planned twenty-year tenure, the theme was discontinued in 2010, but was rebooted in 2015 for a further two years.

<i>Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows</i> 2005 Danish film

Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows is a 2005 animated science fantasy action film based on the Bionicle toy line by Lego and the third installment in the Bionicle film series. It is a direct sequel to Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, and largely adapts the 2005 storyline with the majority of events taking place before the previous film's ending. Like Legends of Metru Nui, Web of Shadows is a prequel to the first film, Bionicle: Mask of Light. This is the first Bionicle film to not be given a rating by the MPAA. It was released on DVD on October 11, 2005, by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Miramax Home Entertainment label.

An action role-playing game is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre.

<i>Bionicle: Mask of Light</i> 2003 American animated film by David Molina

Bionicle: Mask of Light, stylized as BIONICLE: Mask of Light — The Movie, is a 2003 animated science fantasy action film based on the Bionicle toyline by Lego, and particularly serves as a direct adaptation to the latter half of the toyline's 2003 narrative. Set in a universe filled with bio-mechanical beings allied with classical element-themed tribes, the story follows two friends from the fire-based village of Ta-Koro on a quest to find the owner of the Mask of Light, a mystical artifact that can potentially defeat Makuta, an evil entity threatening the island.

<i>Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui</i> 2004 Danish film

Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui is a 2004 animated science fantasy action film and the second film based on Lego's Bionicle toy line. It is a prequel to the first film, Bionicle: Mask of Light. This film follows the 2004 storyline and was created using Lego elements from the Bionicle series. It is also the second of the two films in the franchise to be given a rating by the MPAA. It was released on DVD and VHS on October 19, 2004, by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Miramax Home Entertainment label.

<i>Bionicle</i> (video game) 2003 video game

Bionicle is a 2003 platform video game developed by Argonaut Games and published by Electronic Arts and Lego Interactive for GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows. A port was released for Mac OS X, and a version was also developed for the Game Boy Advance. In the home console version, the player controls the Toa, elementally-powered warriors, as they traverse through levels; some levels are 3D platformers, while others utilize mechanics like snowboarding or lava surfing. The game's story, which takes creative liberties with the official Bionicle story, follows the Toa as they defend the island of Mata Nui from the return of the evil Makuta and his minions.

<i>Bionicle Heroes</i> 2006 video game

Bionicle Heroes is a 2006 video game published by Eidos Interactive and TT Games Publishing and based on Lego's Bionicle line of constructible action figures. The game was released in November 2006 on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS; a Nintendo Wii version was later released in April 2007. The home console and PC versions were developed by Traveller's Tales, while Amaze Entertainment developed the handheld versions. A version of the game for mobile phones, developed by Universomo, was also released. The home console and PC versions of the game are third-person shooters, while the Game Boy Advance version is a run 'n' gun shoot 'em up and the Nintendo DS version is a first-person shooter. The story of Bionicle Heroes, where the player seeks to liberate the island of Voya Nui and its inhabitants from the villainous Piraka, is not canon to the official Bionicle story.

<i>Mata Nui Online Game</i> 2001 video game

Mata Nui Online Game is a 2001 point-and-click adventure browser game developed by Templar Studios to promote the Lego Bionicle line of constructible action figures. The game follows Takua, a villager on the island of Mata Nui, as he explores the island, encountering other villagers and the Toa, heroic elemental warriors, on their quest to defeat the evil Makuta.

<i>Lego Bionicle: Quest for the Toa</i> 2001 video game

Lego Bionicle: Quest for the Toa is a 2001 action-adventure game developed by Saffire and published by Lego Software for the Game Boy Advance. Based on the Lego Group's Bionicle line of constructible action figures, the game follows Takua, a villager on the island of Mata Nui, on a quest to rescue the island's Turaga elders and summon the Toa, heroic elemental warriors destined to defeat the evil Makuta.

<i>Lego City Undercover</i> 2013 action-adventure video game

Lego City Undercover is an action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion and published by Nintendo for the Wii U in 2013. It was later re-released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows via Steam, and Xbox One by Warner Bros. Games in 2017. Based on the City themed toyline by Lego, the narrative follows police officer Chase McCain as he returns to Lego City and pursues escaped crime boss Rex Fury. Gameplay features McCain both exploring the open world hub of Lego City, and completing self-contained levels featuring puzzles and combat.

<i>Bionicle: Matoran Adventures</i> 2002 video game

Bionicle: Matoran Adventures is a 2002 platform game based on Lego's Bionicle line of constructible action figures. It was developed by Argonaut Games and co-published by Electronic Arts and Lego Interactive for the Game Boy Advance. The player controls Matoran and Turaga characters, who must work together to repel the invasion of Bohrok, insect-like robots that threaten the island of Mata Nui.

<i>Dragon Quest Heroes II</i> 2016 video game

Dragon Quest Heroes II is a hack-and-slash game developed by Omega Force and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. It was released in Japan in May 2016, and worldwide in April 2017. The game is a sequel to Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below.

<i>Lego Bionicle: The Legend of Mata Nui</i> Canceled video game by Saffire Corporation

Lego Bionicle: The Legend of Mata Nui is a canceled action-adventure video game developed by Saffire. Based on the Lego Group's Bionicle line of constructible action figures, the game was intended to release on Microsoft Windows computers in late 2001 and the GameCube in early 2002. The game was designed as a direct sequel to Saffire's Game Boy Advance game Lego Bionicle: Quest for the Toa, which was released in October 2001. The story of The Legend of Mata Nui was meant to serve as a conclusion to the 2001 Bionicle story arc, focusing on the Toa, heroic elemental warriors destined to defeat the evil Makuta, who is attacking the island of Mata Nui with corrupted Rahi animals.

<i>Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga</i> 2022 video game

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a 2022 Lego-themed action-adventure game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Warner Bros. Games. It is the sixth installment in the Lego Star Wars video game series. The game adapts all nine entries in the Skywalker Saga series of films, with additional characters based on other Star Wars films and television series released as DLC.

<i>Bionicle: Masks of Power</i> Video game

Bionicle: Masks of Power is an upcoming fan-made action role-playing video game created by Team Kanohi. Based on The Lego Group's Bionicle line of constructible action figures, the game will follow the Toa's quest for the Kanohi masks. Trailers for the game have been received positively, with critics praising its visuals and comparing its combat to Devil May Cry and Nier: Automata. A demo for the game is scheduled for release on Steam in early 2024.

Bionicle is a series of direct-to-video computer-animated science fantasy action films based on the toyline of the same name from Lego.

Bionicle was a line of toys and associated media made by Lego from 2000 to 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Fenlon, Wes (April 21, 2020). "This open world Lego Bionicle fan game looks ridiculously ambitious". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "BIONICLE Quest for Mata Nui Made in Starcraft II Engine! No Multiplayer! BREAKING NEWS". The TTV Channel. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "vBionicle: Quest for Mata Nui - Update #1 - Combat Controls (Fan Made Open-World RPG Game)". YouTube . Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui - 12 Minute Gameplay Walkthrough (Fan Made Open-World RPG Game)". YouTube . April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Adams, Robert (April 20, 2020). "Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui Revives A Classic Franchise as a Free Fan Game". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Bashir, Dale (April 21, 2020). "Fan-Made Bionicle Game Brings Our Childhood Toys Back to Life". IGN Southeast Asia . Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Interview with fan who spent 6 years making Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui". HTXT.AFRICA. 2020-04-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  8. ↑ "Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui - Update #4 - Kanohi Akaku (Fan Made Open-World RPG Game)". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  9. ↑ Craig, Jo (December 14, 2020). "Bionicle: Quest For Mata Nui Will Feature Tony Wedgwood, Voice Of The Bionicle Commercials". TheGamer. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui - Trailer (Fan Made Open-World RPG Game)". YouTube . April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Bionicle: Quest for Mata Nui LEGO Games Statement". BricksFanz. 2020-09-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  12. 1 2 Klepek, Patrick (September 8, 2020). "A Hardcore Lego Fan Spent Six Years Making an Ambitious 'Bionicle' Fan Game". Vice . Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  13. ↑ Donovan, Imogen (April 22, 2020). "Bionicle:‌ ‌Quest‌ ‌for‌ ‌Mata‌ ‌Nui‌ ‌resurrects‌ ‌Bionicle‌ ‌as‌ ‌an‌ ‌open-world‌ ‌RPG‌". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  14. ↑ Cagnard, Maximilien (April 21, 2020). "Bionicle Quest for Mata Nui". Jeuxactu (in French). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  15. ↑ Wańtuchowicz, Przemysław (April 23, 2020). "Kultowe Bionicle powracają w fanowskiej grze, która powstaje od sześciu lat". Eurogamer Poland (in Polish). Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  16. ↑ Uslenghi, Fabiano (April 21, 2020). "Gerade entsteht ein Lego-Spiel, von dem ich seit Jahren träume". GameStar (in German). Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ Moore, Ewan (April 22, 2020). "Fan Made Bionicle Open World RPG Looks So Incredibly Cool". LADBible . Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
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