New 3D Zelda Maker on Steam Set to Delight Fans
After the success of Super Mario Maker, it seemed like Nintendo might extend a similar DIY approach to its other classic franchises. However, since that hasn’t happened, other developers are stepping in to fill the gap. So far, this has primarily resulted in 2D creation tools that let players design levels inspired by The Legend of Zelda with a Super NES vibe. Yet, one developer is taking the concept into the realm of 3D.
Temple Maker 64 is the brainchild of Akela-morse, a solo developer who left his job a year and a half ago to pursue this vision full-time. In a conversation, the 27-year-old shared that the idea sparked after he encountered games like Quest Master, Super Dungeon Maker, and Super Dungeon Designer. He felt that adopting a Nintendo 64 aesthetic was a natural choice since those titles are all top-down 2D pixel art games.
This level design suite equips players with all the classic weapons, items, and enemies reminiscent of a 3D Zelda game like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, Temple Maker 64 is careful to avoid using any names associated with Nintendo. The protagonist, while clearly inspired by Link, has a design that doesn’t directly copy him. This careful approach may help Temple Maker 64 attract an audience, especially since other high-profile attempts to create similar experiences, like a dungeon-making party game, have struggled despite offering robust level design and community-sharing features.
The challenge isn’t in gameplay mechanics; it’s that players often prefer to create games featuring characters they feel a connection to. Titles like Super Mario Maker and its sequel tend to thrive because players come in with a deep understanding of the series, which informs their level design. While crafting a level isn’t necessarily easy, most players have a solid grasp of how a Zelda dungeon operates.
For instance, although Temple Maker 64 isn’t released yet, play testers are already diving in. Akela-morse recently shared a video where one tester crafted a Zelda-style Kaizo level. Kaizo levels, known from the Super Mario community, are designed to challenge players with precise platforming. Similarly, Kaizo Zelda levels demand mastery of movements like rolls, backflips, and side hops, along with a keen understanding of how these actions interact with the game world. In a brief 33-second clip, the tester demonstrates advanced techniques that many players would find difficult to execute.
In May, Akela-morse released a demo on Steam and has ambitious plans for the full version. Key features include social elements like comments, tagging, and lists. The developer is also considering a single-player campaign and collaborating with other developers inspired by Zelda to create maps for the game.
For all these plans to materialize, Temple Maker 64 needs to launch. Nintendo is known for being protective of its intellectual property, but Akela-morse remains optimistic.
“Nintendo is aggressive about people using IPs, assets, or code they don’t own,” he noted. “They also try to patent game mechanics, but those patents are often either rejected or granted for very specific cases, making them hard to enforce. I’m steering clear of that. Legally, they can only watch from the sidelines.”
While Akela-morse hopes for success with Temple Maker 64, he’s also realistic about the challenges ahead. To diversify his efforts, he’s working on another project called Seed of Life, which seems to draw inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Regardless of the outcome, he aims to release the framework behind Temple Maker 64 as an open-source project to assist others in creating their own games.
The developer is prepared to return to a traditional job if things don’t pan out, but he’s excited to see where this journey leads. The enduring legacy of Zelda is truly remarkable.
