[Completed] The Mortrix

**Q-Nova** · 02-01-2019, 12:53 AM

Hello, MFGG people! On January 7, I released a mod of Commander Keen 2 on my website. Now, I decided to release it here for those that are interested (if there are any, that is). This mod, if you somehow skipped the title and screenshot, is called The Mortrix. It takes inspiration from Wario vs. Windows and Birdo vs. Macintosh, while trying out new ideas with the Keen 1-3 engine and features of Keen 2. The Mortrix contains as much levels as the original game, having a total of 16 (1 of which is a secret level). It also shows off some skills of mine that I haven't demonstrated here very often, such as original characters (barring cameos and mentions, that should be all except for Commander Keen himself and Nisaba) and level design.

Here are screenshots:

[Image: mcom_screenshot1.png]

You can find a download link to my mod on the Quillax Ship:
http://quillaxship.com/game_detail.php?ID=12

Keep in mind that since Keen 2 isn't free, KEEN2.EXE isn't included within the mod, so you'll need you get your own copy of the executable. If you don't have the game (which is probably the case for most of you here), you can get it via Steam's almost-complete Commander Keen pack for a few dollars: https://store.steampowered.com/app/9180/Commander_Keen/ If you have it and located it (in Steam, go to the games library, then Properties > Local Files > Browse Local Files > base2), copy KEEN2.EXE to this mod's directory and run the mod via Mortrix.bat. I suggest doing this with DosBox, which can be found here: https://www.dosbox.com/ (dragging Mortrix.bat to DosBox will work just fine)

Also, The Mortrix uses tons of SGA, a writing system that's used in the Keen games. Reading SGA isn't required to beat the mod, but I think a lot of the messages I put into the windows in the mod are rather humorous. If you want to learn SGA, you can just look it up.

So, feel free to say something about The Mortrix here!

**Hungry San** · 02-04-2019, 03:48 PM

Those screenshots in the right column look fantastic! Entering a Mario Bros 3 land and the windows on top of that.

**Q-Nova** · 02-17-2019, 10:11 PM

@Hungry San Thanks for the comment!

Anyway, if anyone's interested, one of the beta-testers of this mod has been uploading videos that he did while beta-testing it. You can find the first one here (he does the first two levels): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqA5CsR4zzc

Keep in mind that while there are a few changes between the beta and released versions, there's not much differences overall.

**Vitiman** · 02-18-2019, 03:26 AM

I'm very flattered you took inspiration from my game, considering your sprite submissions of some stuff from this mod on the main site have inspired me in return! I love that you're as big a fan of Commander Keen as you are, I happen to have a strong fascination for old 2D PC platformers - this one and Jazz Jackrabbit are so tight, man. That one also has a fairly robust modding community, imagine that!

I want to check this out because of how quirky and absurd it is, but I confess I've never played a mod of Commander Keen up to this point, so I'll work out doing that first. I definitely love how you worked in the Copyright Infringement/SMB3 tech demo stuff into an area, that's just amazing.

**Q-Nova** · 08-16-2019, 08:44 PM

I'm bumping this not only because of all of these oldbies coming back that may or may not be familiar with Commander Keen, but also because someone did a full playthrough (no commentary) of the mod about a month ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdh7E7Dx0z4

In addition to the above video, a German Keen YouTuber started to do a Let's Play of the mod:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhYPrxgBCFA