Maria and the Skulls

Maria and the Skulls is a 3D action-adventure platforming video game. It was directed by Fyp Housin, developed by Alterworld Games and published by FourPaws Interactive. Two versions of the game were developed; one for the GameCube and another for the Xbox 360, which have similar gameplay styles but generally have different level design. The Xbox version was re-released under the Platinum Hits and Xbox Classics line in 2007. It is, to date, the only video game to be directed by Fyp Housin.

Gameplay
A 3D action-adventure platformer, Maria and the Skulls is separated into eleven different levels, which have slightly different design and structure depending on the version of the game being played. The player plays as Maria, a skeleton, who can perform different actions depending on the power ups and techniques that have been equipped.

The objective of each level is to simply get to its end point. However, each level also has three, four or five optional missions which the player can complete for extra points. Additionally, beating each level unlocks a group of special missions that feature the player playing through a shorter part of each level and getting either a gold, silver or bronze star depending on how well they complete the mission (or no star at all if they do well below expectations).

The game also has a few Sub Levels and Sub Games (as described in-game) that occasionally appear in between levels. Multiplayer versions of the Sub Games can be bought from the game's shop.

Playable characters
In the game, Maria can perform a lot of different actions, such as jumping, double jumping, wall jumping, ducking and crawling. The player is also given two different forms of attacks, a Normal Attack and a Special Attack (as described in the game's files).

The Xbox 360 version allows the player to play as different characters at certain parts of the game. All of the characters behave similarly to Maria, but differ slightly in mobility and strength, and have some unique actions.

It is impossible for the player to die in the game. If Maria (or one of the other characters) takes approximately two to four hits (depending on the strength of the attack) in the span of a few seconds, she will break to pieces, but get fixed back together immediately. However, the game's final boss is capable of killing the player, making it the only way to obtain a Game Over.

Game Modes

 * New Game / Continue - The main mode of the game. It will say the former text if there is no main game data or the latter text if there is.
 * Free Play - Allows the player to play through any level they have beaten in the main game. Sub Levels, however, cannot be replayed.
 * Time Attack - The player completes a slightly smaller part of the level as fast as possible.
 * Coin Challenge - The player has to collect a hundred coins in the level as fast as possible.
 * Special Mission - The player does a special mission that is exclusive to the level.
 * Multiplayer - Up to four players can compete in a group of Sub Games, most of which are played in the main game. Despite its name, they can be played by a single player. Computer players can be toggled on and off (even if there is only one player and/or in a manner where there is only computer players).
 * Records - The player can see the objectives they have completed, as well as their top eight fastest/best attempts at the missions in Free Play and Sub Games via the High Scores menu. The Xbox 360 version also features a leaderboard where the player can compare their score to their Xbox Live friends and other players in the world.
 * Extras
 * Training - The player plays through a special level that describes how to play, as well as most of the gameplay elements.
 * Sound Test - Lets the player listen to the music in the game. Some of the music cannot be heard until the player has made it to a certain level in the main game.
 * Cutscenes - The player can view the game's cutscenes they have seen in the main mode.
 * Credits - The game's staff credits, which are unlocked by completing the main mode.
 * Behind the Scenes - A few pages about the game's developers and the game's development and production history. Unlocked after completing the main mode.
 * Debug Mode - Unlocked after completing every mission in Free Play. Allows the player to mess about in the levels by changing up some of the character behaviours, inserting and deleting objects from the level, being able to double jump endlessly and moving the camera about freely.

Development
Following complaints that his previous works relied too heavily on Kuboian clichés and stereotypes, Fyp Housin decided to produce a video game that would avoid featuring these. Development on Maria and the Skulls began in early 2003, with Housin preparing to make a "fun, robust game with a deep but funny story". He intended to make a game for the then-upcoming Xbox 360, but also wanted there to be a version on the then-current console generation due to his uncertainty on the upcoming console.

Housin founded the game studio Alterworld Games in order for the game to enter production. Approximately twenty people worked on the Xbox 360 version, with a slightly lower number working on the GameCube version. Housin made sure both the GameCube and Xbox 360 versions had differences so each version of the game had "its own identity".

The game's electronic rock soundtrack was composed mostly by Winifred Phillips.

Reception
The Xbox 360 version of Maria and the Skulls received mostly positive reviews, whilst the GameCube version received mixed reviews. Critics praised the game's action-packed gameplay, visuals, music and replay value. Minor criticism went towards the main game's short length, with extra criticism going to the GameCube version for having less content.

On Metacritic, the Xbox 360 version has an average rating of 77 based on 35 reviews, whilst the GameCube version has an average rating of 52 based on 26 reviews.

Adventures of Maria and the Skulls
A series of five shorts, collectively known as Adventures of Maria and the Skulls, were produced from 2006 to 2007. Produced in traditional animation, each short lasts around fifteen minutes long, and tell the stories of the adventures Maria and her friends have after the events of the game. All five shorts were released on DVD in May 2008.

Legacy
Though it never received a sequel, Maria and the Skulls has been regarded as a cult classic, and maintains a popular following as of 2021.

Fyp Housin revealed in 2006 that he wanted Maria to appear as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Later, in 2016, Housin revealed that Maria would have difficulty getting into the Smash Bros. series due to licensing issues.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hoax
In December 2018, a video supposedly confirming Maria's appearance as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate leaked online. Housin later admitted on a YouTube video that it was a hoax that he involved in, with the intent to "prove" that Maria is viable for the game. Housin had provided a group of hackers and longtime fans of Maria and the Skulls models of the character, which they edited into the game.

Housin received backlash from both the Smash Bros. and Maria and the Skulls fanbases for knowingly deceiving the communities. He responded on Facebook by saying that "it's not like that".

Tropes

 * Main
 * Trivia
 * Your Mileage May Vary