Have you ever seen a game in a
magazine that looks so awesome, so cool, you couldn't wait to
get...but when you did, it turned out to be dud? I have. And Gates
of Zendocon is one of those games. GZ was one of the Lynx's first
games, and as such, was pushed wherever the Lynx was sold. If you
were lucky enough to find a Lynx advertisement (they were all but
non-existent), you were certain to find a few GZ screenshots. And
for time, GZ's graphics were very good. They were certainly enough
to sell many on the game. Like me. But, alas, Gates of Zendocon
has some of the most boring gameplay on any Lynx game. That's
something no graphics engine can help. Combine that with a
complete *lack* of power-ups or options and Gates of Zendocon is a
game to avoid.
GRAPHICS: Even though this
was one of the first four games released for the Lynx, it's
graphics are quite good. They are, however, considered the weakest
of the "first four".(Which were ElectroCop, California
Games, Blue Lightning, and GZ) The enemies in GZ are dull and
unispired. I can't tell if there mechanical or organic, they just
look like blobs. And there's only three different bosses, who are
recycled during the levels. The only difference being their skin
coloring. Whatever. **1/2
SOUND: The sound effects in
GZ are awesome. Good explosions, and zapping laser beams make up
the majority of effects. The background music is another story.
The theme to Gates of Zendocon is the *only* and I mean ONLY thing
you hear. It plays constantly through the game. On the start
screen, and on every level. It's a good tune, but this is a joke. ****
Sound effects. * for the lack of different music.
CONTROL: Just like every
other vertically-scrolling shooter in the world. One button
controls your lasers, and the other, when held, produces a shield
around the ship. Nothing complicated, and you can pick it up
easily. As far as your ship goes...it moves around the screen at
just the right speed. Your ship has an acceleration rate that's
just enough to dodge most enemies. And yet, you never feel as if
you've lost control. ****
OPTIONS: This is a *big*
problem. Shooters are famous for their awesome weaponry. GZ has
NONE. No power-ups for your lasers, no super bombs. Nothing. Which
means this sucker get's old FAST. *
REPLAY: I can see where the
programmers tried to add this. You see, the "gates" in
Gates of Zendocon are actually warps. At the end of each level
there are up to three gates that you must choose from. Depending
on which one you enter, you'll be transported to a new level.
Which means, if your lucky, you can warp your way to the last
level in a few minutes. But since there are around 100 levels,
taking the wrong gates can have you going in circles. It's a great
idea. But without any neat weapons, or diverse levels, what's the
point? **
Well, Gates of Zendocon was great
idea. The gate-system was genius. And, in the right game, it would
have been GOLD. But the lack of detail of options sends GZ down in
flames. You just can't have the same level over and over. And a
shooter without big-time weaponry is unheard of. Lack of
fundamentals people. It'll crush a game everytime.
|
|