Mazera

Mazera

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	2004
Founder	Cold River Studios
Products	Mazera

Mazera is an adventure game created by Cold River Studios and released by Astraware for the Palm OS and Pocket PC platforms. The storyline follows Ix, a young boy who has been captured by the alien Mazerians and confined within their zoo. When a chance to break free presents itself, Ix must navigate various puzzles and obstacles to make his way back to his home planet, Ixus.

Gameplay

Mazera integrates elements of puzzle-solving with adventure and light action gameplay. Players encounter challenges including Sokoban-style puzzles, memory tests, basic Chess, and a playful version of Pong. Each puzzle is set in a unique "room" that forms part of a larger interconnected environment, often revisited to deepen exploration. If a player fails a puzzle, it resets immediately without any penalties, allowing infinite attempts and focusing on strategic thinking.

The controls are straightforward: players guide Ix’s movements and interact with objects or non-player characters by tapping. A built-in map assists in navigating the current location. The game provides minimal instructions; instead, players uncover gameplay mechanics progressively, with some puzzles requiring players to figure out their objectives independently.

The world of Mazera

Following his escape from the Mazerian zoo, Ix ventures through an alien metropolis characterized by vibrant gardens and distinctive creatures such as laser-wielding Mazerians, crabs, giant worms, and the Uthi—an alien faction opposing the Mazerians that occasionally supports Ix. As the journey continues, Ix explores diverse areas filled with amusing characters and situations.

Scattered throughout the game are hidden secrets that unlock a bonus stage functioning as a developer’s test area. This level includes nods to real-world references like the Spirit rover and renowned game programmer John Carmack.

External links

• Official Mazera page