mk creature.zip is a free puzzle video game wherein you have to assemble strange-looking creatures with the use of an equally-strange guide. Developed by Rocío Tomé, this unique indie game is reminiscent of Spore and allows you to design alien-like critters. However, it’s a puzzle game because the instructions are set in an unreadable language and you need to use the game’s companion guide to decipher it.

Be an alien creator

mk creature.zip is technically two files: a folder containing the actual game application and the downloadable game guide that’s in a PDF format. This is handy as you can boot up the guide on another device so you don’t have to keep switching windows back and forth on your PC. You can do this by either using the default PDF file or by simply scanning the QR code provided by the developer. 

However, it’s a shame that these two files aren’t packaged together, as you really can’t play the game without the guide. The game’s interface text is completely written in an unknown language and the guide is the only cipher you can understand in order to start parsing the text. While the guide itself is also written completely in the alien text, it at least has familiar images and shapes that can give you clues.

In terms of graphics, this game looks funkier than most of the other creature creators. All symbols on the interface are in the alien font so to even start controlling anything, you will need to decipher the guide first. It will take a lot of trial and error and remembering which symbols repeat, but you can easily keep tinkering about for as long as you can since there’s no major fail state in this game.

Decode them all

Overall, mk creature.zip is a cute and unique puzzle game. It can make you feel like a scientist trying to unravel the mysteries of a strange language and unlock the full potential of the creatures you create. The little critters themselves are adorable and can move in various ways, making for some hilarious moments. It’s only too bad that the guide isn’t immediately installed with the game.