There are many reasons why someone goes on a long journey to the ends of the earth: self awakening, adventure, redemption. Zeno Clash has all of them. This one started with the murder of Father-Mother, whose children are biggest clan of Halstedom. As the killer, Ghat finds himself on the run from his family. Alone save for his friend Daedra, Ghat's journey takes him across the land of Zenozoik, a fantasy realm that was created with a punk theme filled with bizarre creatures and strange enemies.

Zeno Clash is a game based around violence. There is a fair amount of gore, though this is emphasized more with explosions. Magic is present, although mostly in one area where it is used as both a weapon and a tool to light the way. Finally there is use of drugs in the form of hallucinogens required to advance the plot. For these reasons, Zeno Clash is more appropriate for a more mature, teenage audience.

There are times when being bizarre is an asset. A unique, punk-styled, fantasy world whose regions are each more fantastic than the previous, keeps players looking forward to the next realm. The music track adds a complement that further solidifies the ambiance of each area. Combat can be hectic and forces the player to plan his moves, but also to react to a sudden change in the flow of battle. The tower mode adds some extra play time to the game, as the players attempt to fend off hordes of enemies. While lacking some polish, Zeno Clash is an interesting title that is certainly worth a try.

» By James Tench, Plain Games. Published 2/27/2010 11:53:48 AM.