ZP2K9

Indie Game (IG) under Review: ZP2K9
Developed by: Jamezila (Ska Studios)
System: Xbox 360
Version: ?
Genre: Platformer
Cost: 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50)
Download Style: Full Game/Trial Game
Download Size: 19.45 Mb
Learning Curve: 10-15 Minutes
Overall Rating: 8/10
Main Features:
- Players 1
- System Link 2-10
- Online Multiplayer 2-10
- HDTV 720p Support
- Custom Soundtracks
Other Features:
- Mic Support
- Ability to choose Team (Humans or Zombies)
- Ability to choose Character
- Ability to have 0-5 AI bots
- Ability to “Take a Break” during play (AI takes over until “Take a Break“ is off)
- 4 Game Modes (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Capture the Flag)
- Massive randomly selected (not generated) levels
- 13 Weapons and 6 Grenade Types
- Unknown number of suits that change character’s appearance and perform different functions
- Multiplayer Sidescroller
Puzzling:
- Lack of worldwide Leaderboards
- Occasional Lag
- No Xbox Live Private Match Feature
- No Level Editor!? (just kidding)
Rating:
Violence - 3/3
Sex - 0/3
Mature Content - 0/3

INDIE GAMES INTRO:

Please Note: Unless otherwise specified, I have bought and played all aspects of the games I review.

Downloading Indie Games:
1. Turn on Xbox 360 and sign into XBOX Live.
2. Navigate to: Game Marketplace=>Explore Game Content=>Indie Games
3. Look around and download games!

Important Indie Game Reminders:
1. They are NOT rated by Microsoft or the ESRB.
2. They can only be played while connected to Xbox Live.
3. They can only be played for four or eight minutes before the trial ends (depending upon release
date).
4. Some features may be locked in the trial mode.

REVIEW INTRO:

ZP2K9 is a game devoted to giving intense action from beginning to end. From the melee katana to the bee suit that allows you to fly, this game offers a lot more depth than I had originally believed.
This is a game that requires a little patience when playing for the first time. To get used to the game, enter a single player match with 0 AI bots. Now you can go at your own pace without being constantly killed. I also recommend looking at the “Controls” menu page because it really helps.

GRAPHICS: 8/10

It is hard to complain about ZP2K9’s graphics when they look so good for a game of this style. Explosions, Gore, Character Animations, Weapon Animations, Level Art, and even the backgrounds look fantastic. My only complaint with the graphics is that the Title Screen and Menu’s look “thrown in.” Don’t get me wrong, they go okay with the game, but they could have been implemented better through stylistic visuals. The Title Screen is only “ZP2K9” slowly going across the screen over and over with a blue menu box in the center. The font is also a little small on a non-HDTV (still readable though).

MUSIC: 8/10

ZP2K9 lacks some music variance, but what it does, it does well. The title screen has its own music, and playing a match has its own randomly selected music. Other than that there is no other music. I know that sounds bad, but the music is good enough that I’m still not tired of it. Half the time it gets cut off from all of the explosions and guns anyway! Regardless of all this I still believe that more music soundtracks should have been implemented for the levels.

STORY: 0/10

No real story to speak of. It’s a Multiplayer game where you play one of the four game modes with humans and/or AI bots.

GAMEPLAY: 9/10

This is where the game shines. After getting over the learning curve, the game really opens up in depth. Mastery of the weapons is crucial, as some will require you to fire at different angles. Suits will also make a difference in your survival. Different suits perform varying functions. For example, the “Cat Suit” allows you to jump higher and run instead of merely rolling. The “Bee Suit” allows you to fly. I had a lot of fun messing around with this suit while playing with a few friends. We removed the AI Bots and would all get the Katana and/or Buster Blade. Then we would all get Bee Suits and change the game mode to deathmatch (bots and game mode can be changed at any time). Now we would have a fight to the death in the sky using our melee weapons. It still hasn’t gotten old.

If your friends aren’t on, you can always play a single player match against bots. They are competent and may surprise you sometimes. Unfortunately, they are still AI’s and will sometimes do something that will make you say “a human couldn’t have noticed or done that!” Thankfully, this is rare because it is evident time was spent making the bots as good as humans. And they are, if not better, half the time!

You can always go onto Xbox live to play and chat with people. Every time I’ve logged onto ZP2K9 so far, there has always been AT LEAST one match going. The only problem with Xbox Live matches is that there is a small chance of lag. Lag where you cannot even move. Thankfully, if the game lags, it will lag when you join and not just randomly appear while playing. Just leave and try rejoining, otherwise join someone else. Its only a slight annoyance as it is quick and easy to leave and find another game.

There is also a feature that I loved from “Left 4 Dead (Valve, Xbox 360).” If you have to do something while playing, you can press start and turn on “Take a Break.” The AI will take over for you until you are back to play. This is good for when you have to take out the trash, use the restroom, or whatever you have to do!

FEATURES: 7/10

The number of weapons, suits, grenades, characters, game modes, and bots is excellent (could always use more though). Unfortunately the game lacks any kind of leaderboards, character customization (color, clothes, etc.), trophy/reward system, and my personal favorite, LEVEL EDITOR! This game would be totally awesome if it had the ability to make new maps (or even edit the existing ones) and share them with the world. However, I won’t hold this against it.

OVERALL: 8/10

This game is a steal for 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50). If it had the Level Editor I would even buy it for 400 Microsoft Points ($5.00). I hope that Ska Studios does a remake/newer edition soon with tons of new features! I personally recommend ZP2K9. After all, the trial downloads fast and its free to play, so give it a try!

Other Games by Ska Studios (as of 8/26/09):

- The Dishwasher (Arcade Game - 800 Microsoft Points)
- ZSX4 Guitarpocalypse (Indie Game - 200 Microsoft Points)
- I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 (Indie Game - 80 Microsoft Points)


For more full reviews, visit the ExL Studios Website .

For quick reviews, visit the ExL Studios Blog .

This game is made by the same guy who brought The Dishwasher :)

This is a nice little game, that can be played against the computer or better other people around the world, when it gets full of people its a mayhem in a good way :)

I was not sure if people still played this game online after nearly 2 months, but I found at least 1 person at every time I tried, you will sometimes find games full of people or just host your own and people will join and even better you can have play against Bots in the mean time or in-game with other people, so thats a nice addition.

Overall a very awesome game, 9/10 as theres not much single player to it, but if you and your friends buy this you will have a blast!

A quick and easy game to hop into, this game will be awesome for Xbox Live.

I enjoyed a lot of what they've got going on here - basically it's a 2d side-scrolling fragfest. Very quick controls, as you jump and run around shooting your opponents. Unfortunately, the computer AI handed my buttocks to me quickly and repeatedly, and I wasn't able to get a lot of enjoyment out of the game. It also didn't have a very gradual set of learning how to play either.