Google features a game with top-down exploration of ancient Mesoamerica

If you’ve been looking for a way to learn more about the native populations of ancient Mesoamerica, the Google game The Descent of the Serpent is a good way to do just that. Developed by Google’s Arts & Culture division, the game is an adorable top-down adventure title that somewhat resembles The Legend of Zelda. 

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Depicted in a short video that plays at the start of the game, The Descent of the Serpent features a plot that is light and easy to follow. Essentially, you play as a person exploring a museum. While you’re roaming the halls rich with history, the Lord of the Smoking Mirror, Tezcatlipoca, steals a large and rather significant artifact.

This theft angers the supposed spirits of the museum, and a living statue tasks you with the recovery of 20 icons depicted on the artifact. The purpose of this is to prevent massive floods from taking over the earth. Well, we say the statue tasks you, but it actually asks quite nicely if you’d be willing to help. You, being the considerate and perpetually-helpful individual that your parents raised, agree politely. Also, who would say no?

If a statue comes to life and asks for my help to defeat the end of the world by finding iconography depicted on a stolen artifact, you better bet your bottom dollar that I’m going to say yes – right after I put down the mushrooms. 

In any event, once you agree, the statue says that it will send you back to Mesoamerica. As this is ancient times and you likely don’t resemble the native populations that ruled the regions during that time, you’ll have to put on a disguise. You’ll have four to choose from; Huitzilopochtli, represented by a wolf, Xolotl, depicted by a dog, Xbalanque, a character resembling a jaguar, and Mictlantecuhtli, the wise owl. 

The reason that this game is so saturated with actual history is that it was developed in partnership with the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico. This game will let you roam through small forests and lush vegetation.

On your travels, you’ll need to look out for gold coins – these are the icons that you’re looking for. Every time you pick up an icon, you’ll be presented with a short summary of what it represents. You’ll also see a link that takes you to the associated exhibit on Google’s Arts & Culture website where you’ll be able to learn more.