Akuji the Heartless
A voodoo priest seeks redemption in the Underworld.
Akuji the Heartless is a 1999 action-adventure game for the PlayStation, created by Crystal Dynamics and released by Eidos Interactive. The player controls Akuji, a voodoo priest and warrior whose heart was torn out during his wedding. Cursed to roam the Underworld, he must fight using retractable claws and magic, including fire spells, demon summoning, and the ability to possess enemies.
The story begins with Akuji’s bride, Kesho, speaking to him in spirit form within hell. She reveals that his brother Orad arranged the murder and now plans to sacrifice her to the gods, while their families prepare for war. After consulting the loa Baron Samedi in the first level, Akuji learns he might earn redemption: by collecting the souls of his evil ancestors and defeating the wardens of hell’s vestibules, the Baron will grant him safe passage out. However, after Akuji retrieves the Seal of Sadiki, the Baron steals it and admits he tricked Akuji—the soul purge was meant to free the Baron from imprisonment, allowing him to take revenge on the mortal world and enslave Kesho. Kesho confirms the Baron possessed Orad to orchestrate the murder and used her voice to lure Akuji. Akuji battles the Baron, wins, and Kesho restores his heart, sending them both back to the mortal world.
The game uses the engine from Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Richard Roundtree voices the title character. Reception was mixed; Next Generation gave it three out of five stars, praising its macabre imagination but criticizing rough controls and animations.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Akuji the Heartless
- Developer
- Crystal Dynamics
- Publisher
- Eidos Interactive
- Director
- Glen Schofield
- Producer
- Sam Player / Jonathan Miller / Jeffrey Zwelling
- Designer
- Josh Rose
- Programmer
- David Minogue
- Artist
- Rodger Ferris / Todd Gantzler / Damon Redmond / Steven A. Ross / Glen Schofield / Robb Waters
- Writer
- Jim Curry / Eric Lindstrom
- Composer
- Jim Hedges
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Released
- NA · January 22, 1999 · EU · February 26, 1999
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game centers on Akuji, a voodoo priest and warrior whose heart is ripped out on his wedding day. Through voodoo magic, he is cursed to wander the Underworld. His would-be bride, Kesho, finds him in hell and reveals that Akuji's own brother, Orad, orchestrated the murder. She begs Akuji to escape and stop Orad, who is preparing to sacrifice her to the gods. After consulting the loa Baron Samedi, Akuji learns he can earn redemption by traversing hell and collecting the souls of his ancestors, which the Baron despises. He must also defeat the wardens of each vestibule of hell to advance.
Reader's Guide
Akuji the Heartless is notable as a free-roaming 3D action game built on the Gex: Enter the Gecko game engine. The player controls Akuji, who attacks with retractable claws and uses spells to set enemies on fire, summon demons, and possess enemies. The game received mixed reviews; Next Generation rated it three stars out of five, praising its imagination but criticizing rough controls and animations. The plot features a twist where Baron Samedi tricks Akuji into purging his ancestors' souls to break free from the Underworld and exact revenge on the mortal world. Akuji ultimately defeats the Baron, rescues Kesho, and returns to the mortal world with his heart restored. The game's protagonist is voiced by Richard Roundtree.
Did You Know?
- The game's titular character is voiced by actor Richard Roundtree.
- Next Generation rated the PlayStation version three stars out of five.
- The plot involves Akuji's brother Orad orchestrating his murder.
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