Zool 2
ZOOL 2 | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Gremlin Graphics,Warp factory |
Publisher(s) | Gremlin Graphics |
Composer(s) | Patrick Phelan CD32 Neil Biggin |
Platform(s) | Amiga, Amiga CD32, Atari Jaguar, DOS |
Release | 1993 |
Genre(s) | Platformer |
Mode(s) | 1 or 2 players (not simultaneously) |
Zool 2 is a sequel to the video game Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension, developed and published by Gremlin Graphics in 1993. In 2000 the game was re-released as part of The Best of Gremlin compilation.
Story
The intergalactic Gremlin ninja Zool returns, and this time his enemies in the game were named Krool and his assistant Mental Block, whose goal is to stifle the world's imagination, causing rampant boredom. In his fight Zool is aided by his female companion, named Zooz (in a red costume), and his faithful dog Zoon. The ending contained a hint at a possible further sequel.
Gameplay
Zool 2 is very similar gameplay-wise to the original game, but with more cartoonish and detailed graphics. It added the option to play as Zool's female counterpart, Zooz. The two characters played similarly, although there were some subtle differences in their abilities. Most notably, Zool could destroy parts of the scenery that Zooz couldn't, and vice versa, resulting in a slightly different route through the level. The sequel, like the original, also featured several mini games. The most common was a version of Breakout which used Zool's two-headed pet dog as a paddle.
Development
The game has been originally planned to be bundled with the Amiga CD32 by request from Commodore, but when Gremlin Graphics failed to reach the deadline, Zool 2 was bundled with the Amiga 1200's Computer Combat pack in 1994.
Ports
The Amiga remained the lead format for the second game, but unlike the first it was not widely converted. The only non-Commodore version was released on the Atari Jaguar.
Reception
The game also received generally high review scores, including 93% in Amiga Format, 90% in Amiga Computing and 86% in Amiga Power. However, it did not make an impact the way its predecessor had, despite arguably being the better game as the difficulty level had been curbed and the controls were more responsive. A possible reason for the game's relative lack of attention was that by this stage the system that Zool was most associated with, the Amiga, was in decline as a gaming format.