Review: Zeno Clash

Note: Zeno Clash (Or ZC as it will be known in this review) can be purchased on Steam for $15 (but is on sale now) and as an ultimate edition on XBLA ($15)

Zeno Clash is different. Similarly in the way that Portal was different, but not exactly the same game. ZC is a first person brawler, involving different punches kicks, and few melee and ranged weapons. The has about 18 chapters and the whole thing took me around 3.5 hours. Were those 3.5 hours worth the $15 admission fee? Look on.

Story: This is one of the many aspects that puts Zeno Clash away from the rest of any game period. The story is about a fictional society that has humans, strange animals, strange animal-human things, and Father-Mother, their "creator". Father-Mother created all beings in the society and cares for and protects them. The story begins with you killing Father-Mother, and running away from and fighting your brothers and sisters. You escape to the wastelands with your girl friend. From there, the story is told through flash backs, about why you were banished, what you did while you were banished, and how you killed Father-Mother, after that story is told, it continues your escape from your brothers and sisters. I found the story very gripping, and I kept playing just to find out how and what happened next. Be careful though, the story here is pretty trippy.

Gameplay: As I said before, gameplay mostly consists of hand to hand combat. The combat isn't varied, as you only get a couple of moves, but it still can get exciting fighting four enemies at once with your bare hands. I consider there to be 4 types of enemies in the game. One is just a normal person/thing that can wield weapons, but usually don't, and mostly use hand to hand combat, like yourself. Another is a heavy enemy. This thing can only be harmed by a club/hammer and is really tough to take down. Nature, which includes bugs, animals, crabs etc. And bosses, which are where the real challenge starts. You won't always have to use your hands through the game, as their are some weird, funky weapons in the game. A rifle, a "skull" grenade, a grenade launcher, double pistols, clubs and crossbows. You won't find these often, but when you do, it is better to pick them up and keep a safe distance, as they make your life a whole lot easier. One achievement on Steam is to go through the whole game, using guns only when necessary, which I think is impossible.

Difficulty: Speaking of impossible, this can game be a bitch. I played the game on the normal difficult, and there were points in the game that seemed impossible to pass. The enemies had a move I couldn't counter, there were too many enemies, or the enemy was out of reach. I eventually passed every task, but the game can get really difficult. The challenge rooms especially. These are 8 rooms that I haven't been able to complete, and I don't think I ever will.

Soundtrack: There isn't much to say about the soundtrack, other than I found it very fitting and exceptionally good. You can preview the songs on iTunes, (look for "Zeno Clash Soundtrack") and I recommend you buy it. I know I will once I get the cash for it.

Is It Fun?: The answer to that is complicated. It can be lots of fun just beating up enemies until they fall over, and it can be really frustrating when you are surrounded by 5 enemies, can't run away, can't attack and just get wailed on. I thought the story and music were worth it for me, and when the gameplay was really good, it was lots of fun.

Final notes: I bought the game from Steam when it was on sale for $3.75 and I think it is worth it at that price. Even though it is full priced at $15 on XBLA, you get some sort of online mode, and an improved game (hence the "Ultimate Edition"). For those of you looking into the PC version, be warned! I could run the game on my super computer, but my brother couldn't run it on his computer. His is a really basic one though, but make sure to check the requirements.

As for my comment about how this is very similar to Portal, I say that because not only does it use the Source engine and run similarly to Portal, it changed how I looked at first person games. It had a story worth telling in a first person game.

Should you buy the game? I say yes. Try something new. Try this quirky first person brawler and see if you feel the same way.