Inca (video game)

Inca

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1992
Founder	Coktel Vision
Products	Inca (video game)
Parent	Sierra On-Line

Inca is a video game released in 1992, developed by Coktel Vision and published by Sierra On-Line. Set within a science fiction space opera framework, the narrative centers on the struggle between the Incas and the Spaniards. Its continuation, Inca II: Wiracocha, was launched in 1993.

Gameplay

Inca combines elements from various genres such as space combat simulator and adventure game. The gameplay features diverse stages, including shooting sequences, maze navigation, and puzzles that require inventory management. Players can save their progress using numerical passcodes—with 12 codes for the disk edition and 16 for the CD version—allowing them to resume from designated chapters.

Plot

Set five centuries after the demise of Huayna Capac, the final great Inca ruler, the protagonist, a warrior named El Dorado, is assigned to collect three mystical gems representing Time, Energy, and Matter. These artifacts are essential to defeating Aguirre, the Spanish commander. The adventure commences at the asteroid station Paititi, with departure aboard a spaceship shaped like a Tumi.

Throughout his quest, El Dorado pilots through asteroid belts, engages in dogfights against Spanish vessels, explores labyrinthine mazes, and solves puzzles to summon the mummy of Pachacutec the Renovator for assistance. He secures the Jewel of Time from statues depicting the Founders of Huaca, namely Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac. After being captured on a Spanish mothership modeled as a space-faring galleon, he later frees the Paracas moon from Spanish control and is honored as the new Sapa Inca by the Aclla, receiving the Jewel of Matter.

The final gem, known as the Jewel of Energy, is protected by Mayan guardians on a remote planet. Following the completion of puzzles at Machu Picchu’s "Intihuatana", El Dorado obtains this gem and unites all three jewels to solve a culminating puzzle, symbolized by receiving the sacred tumi as a mark of his divine investiture.

The story reaches its peak with a confrontation between El Dorado and Aguirre aboard the Spanish galleon.

Release

Initially distributed on diskettes, Inca was subsequently reissued as Inca Multimedia CD. This version includes extended or additional cutscenes along with an enhanced soundtrack featuring full voice acting in Audio CD format. The introduction features "Inca People," composed by J.M. Marrier specifically for this edition.

The CD release expands the game into 16 chapters rather than 12, providing players with more precise save points. Additionally, the Mayan segment contains an extra area that offers further puzzle challenges.

Reception

The game received a score of 90/100 from Power Unlimited, while CD-i magazine rated it at 85%. In its September 1993 issue, Computer Gaming World commended the audio and visual presentation but criticized abrupt arcade-style segments for interrupting the storyline. The publication described it as a loosely connected assortment of action sequences, mazes, and puzzles that might not strongly satisfy fans of either action or adventure genres. It recommended other Sierra titles alongside the Inca soundtrack available on CD. By April 1994, it noted that while puzzles were moderately challenging and action elements present, both plot and interface were found lacking.

When reviewing the CD-i edition, GamePro praised its creative narrative spanning time and space alongside a South American flute-inspired soundtrack but pointed out issues with controls and frequent loading delays. Power Unlimited awarded this version a 90%, considering it an excellent demonstration of how the CD-i platform can deliver an engaging mix of action, adventure, riddles, and impressive audiovisuals.

On the other hand, Next Generation gave the CD-i release one star out of five, criticizing long loading times and subpar voice performances.

Legacy

The following year saw the release of a follow-up titled Inca II: Wiracocha, which centers around Atahualpa, the son of El Dorado and Aclla.