ZZreviews episode 54: Zeno Clash

Hey guys and welcome to ZZreviews episode 54!
Today I'm bringing you a review of Zeno Clash, a first person brawler from 2009.
Does it pack the punch or is it just to hard to deliver on such a unique premise? Let's find out!

Meet Ghat, a young man who is on the run from his vengeful siblings. The game begins with Ghat regaining consciousness after killing a creature called Father-Mother. You were one of its children but why you killed him is unkown until later in the game.

With the help of your sister Deadra, you manage to escape the town and from there you go back and forth in time through flash backs, recovering more and more of the past while trying to escape further and further in the present.
It's a smart way of story telling that keeps it interesting throughout the game.

Now that we got the plot out the way let's talk about the gameplay.
Zeno Clash is a first person brawler and for the most part you'll fight in closed areas against several opponents with nothing but your fists. You do however get to use both melee and ranged weapons as well as grenade like bombs.

Some segments play out similarly to corridor-shooters and there are occasional boss battles too. Still most of the games is about hand to hand combat.

In addition to the Story mode there is also a Challange mode that allows the player to ascend higher and higher up in a tower while defeating enemies.

The game has a very colourful and unique art style that looks great using the source engine. The character designs are mostly cool and inspiring and the animations, well they are impressive to say the least.

Regarding the music Zeno Clash delviers. Not only is the music good but it is a big part of why the game has such a unique style. As you guys know in combat games it's vital that the sound effects are good and let me tell you that in Zeno Clash they ARE.

This is an indie game though and so there is bound to be somethings that aren't that good and in Zeno Clash that would be the voice acting. The main characters voice is bland and some of the other ones are unintentially laughable.

Another unfortunate thing is the game's length. It's really, really short. Maybe even shorter than Portal! But during those few hours you'll have alot of fun!

Scoreboard time!

Gameplay: 8/10 The First person brawling was very enjoyable and the corridor shooting was pretty fun too. I would just like it to be a bit more varid.

Graphics: 9/10 Zeno Clash looks really good! This is a game that uses the source engine well.

Story: 8/10 I found the story interesting and the way they told it just made it all the more fun to expirience.

Sound/Music: 7/10 Zeno Clash has great sound effects and the music is both unique and really awesome to listen to. Patricio Meneses did an awesome job! Sadly though the voice acting drags it down a bit.

Replay value: 5/10 This is where the game is lacking, the short single player story whilst very well thoughtout should've been alot longer and just one additional mode isn't any where near my expectations. Now I'm not asking for a multiplayer mode, Zeno clash probably wouldn't even work well online. What I'm asking for is more offline modes that tests your skill.

Total: 37/50 Zeno Clash is an amazing indie game that succesfully portrays first person brawling. I suggest you buy it right now, you wont be disappointed!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• painting
• cycling
• editing
• weapons
• defence
• bikes
• hunting
• garderning
• instruction
• Zeno
• Clash
• review

[sandj777]

They released a remastered version for the Xbox 360. They even replaced the crappy voice actors!

[ZayanuZaroc]

@sandj777 I see, well too bad it didn't come to the PC then. :P

[sandj777]

@ZayanuZaroc Yeah, I just beat the game for the third time. The game is a visual masterpiece in my opinion. I just wish more developers had this much creativity.

[ZayanuZaroc]

@sandj777 Indeed. I couldn't have said it better myself! :)

[Ilikefrogsandmonkeys]

This game has a nice artstyle. :)

[ZayanuZaroc]

@Ilikefrogsandmonkeys Yep! :D

[ZayanuZaroc]

@nordpolen111 Aa! :D

[nordpolen111]

Ser ganska kul ut! :D

[ZayanuZaroc]

@iAmMuppton Jo det börjar ju bli nice :)

Tack och du med! ;)

[iAmMuppton]

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