Tinertia, made by Candescent Games Inc., is a game which stars Weldon, a robot equipped with a powerful rocket launcher that allows him to propel himself through a series of levels and tackle obstacles along the way. Players are only provided the ability to move as well as a rocket-firing trigger that can destroy objects or propel Weldon along. In addition to being able to control Weldon via a game controller, players also have the option of using a keyboard and mouse for further precision.
At PAX Prime 2015, I had the opportunity to try out Tinertia and talk to their CEO, Vilas Tewari, about it. The game was inspired by the rocket-jumping mechanics of Quake and Team Fortress. The team identified that element as the most enjoyable part of the game. It was the one unique aspect that kept bringing them back day after day to these titles. Tinertia became their opportunity to dedicate and expose the pure fun of rocket jumping. As they began experimenting with the concept, they found it easier to tell their story from a side perspective where the world was visible rather than the traditional first person view of Quake. This became further realized by Section Studios whose artists helped formulate a gritty Mario 3D feel for the 7 worlds and 66 levels that comprise Tinertia. To amplify the industrial environment, Candescent Games incorporated music inspired by Deus Ex: Human Revolution to provide a relaxing atmosphere before becoming more energetic as the character progresses. It became a mix of electronica and classical beats. Overall, Vilas and his team’s vision was to create a game that could be taken on its own merit, and similar to the Nintendo games of old, be a purely fun experience to play through.
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