Genesis - Comix Zone Review

Overview

In Comix Zone, your character Sketch is stuck in a comic book and he has to kick box his way out of it and stop one of his evil characters from taking over the world. You may find that on the surface just like any other action arcade game save you are stuck in a comic book. Well you are wrong! Comix Zone is not just like any other action because has some interesting gameplay and a twist to the action. For one your main character has quite a few good moves and for another can choose his path through the comic book.

Gameplay 9/10
Gameplay here is different for several reasons, one the makers of the game provide only one attack button, two, you have to "think" your way through a scene... sometimes, and three, you can choose which frame to swing to now and again.

You may find having one attack button limiting but let me tell you straight away, it is not. In fact Sketch has a huge variety of moves ranging from the flying kick to the Low-mid-high kick which is one of the combo (combination) moves you can do. And that is not just all, you can also rip paper from the book and through it as a paper aeroplane. The trick to pulling off all these moves is to move the character while pushing the attack button. For example, if you want to perform an uppercut, push up and attack and if you want to kick the person all the way across you must get close enough to grab and kick his face with the forward and attack button.

As for the enemies, watch out! They know how to block and quickly counter-attack while you bounce off their block, they are even smart enough to duck while you attempt to hurt them with your paper aeroplane.

The only complaint I have is that you get damaged every time you try to smash a door or a crate sometimes that gets to me because of the needless waste of health.

Graphics 4/5
The graphics are perfectly suited for the comic book look but some of it is messy almost like not enough art work was put into it. E.g. sometimes in the back ground the shadows do not look quite as convincing. You do not notice initially but after a while you do and it gets slightly annoying.

Sound & music 2.5/5
The sound in Comix zone is well, laughable sometimes especially when you here the "Well done, Turner" at the end of every level. Other times it is average like the explosion sounds.

As for the music well that is okay as well but not out standing at all so I can hardly give it an above average score.

Level design 4/5
The levels in Comix zone are quite well done and as mentioned before you do have to think through some of them and at other times have to fight your way out of a tough or unique situation. One of the coolest rooms is the sewer where you can fight while hanging on to an overhanging bar or on the sewer floor while the enemies can do the same. A unique place you would be when you find yourself on the floor of an arena and have to fight challengers set against you. Sometimes however the designs are more annoying then fun like the time you have to cling on to a rope while being attacked by flying monsters if you are even hit once you will plunge to your doom below.

Longevity or Replayibility 4/5
As I said before, you can choose your path and then when you start the game again you can try choosing to go to a different area instead.

E.g. In the beginning you can choose to go down to the sewers or continue on the same level, what ever you choose will be different then the alternative. Eventually you will however

For: Unique gameplay, fighting style you have to think sometimes to get through an area.

Against: Not very good sound or music, sometimes scenes or areas are more annoying then fun.