The Final Word game review

Zool 2 -- Gremlin Interactive Ltd.

You play Zool the ninja in Zool 2, the new high-speed platform title for the Atari Jaguar. Thwart the evil Mental Block at every stage in his attempt to take over the Nth Dimension for his master Krool in this exciting sequel.

Ferrari Man
Cute, very cute. But just like most cute things it gets to be annoying. The cute almost goes too far in this game as your mission objectives tend to get lost in a banana sundae. Wonderful graphics, slick sounds, and smooth as butter game-play. This is the type of game that can keep the Jaguar around for a very long time.

E.Phoenix
Zool 2 marks Atari's first foray into action/platform genre (Bubsy sucks cat-tail). After paying this game for many days straight, there is only one word to describe it: "FUN." Don't be discouraged by other mags calling it "too hard," it isn't that hard at all. Zool 2 is a speedy, sword weilding alien that could trounce Sonic any day. The object of each stage is to collect 99% of the items and find the exit. In each world there are three levels; at the end of the third level you will have to fight the main baddie ("Mental Block") in one of the many forms he assumes. Graphically, this game is not too impressive until you get to the world called "Tooting Common." Actually the graphics are nice and colorful, but hardly a showpiece of the Jag's capabilities. What is most disheartening, though, is the major slowdown that occurs at some points in the game. What really helps the game are the fantastic sound effects and some excellent music. Zool 2 controls very well, especially with the "Inertia" setting on "Off," and his moves (climbing, backflips) are easy to learn. This is one of the coolest, and most enjoyable, platformmers I have played in a long time.

R.I.P.
This game is an Amiga port... or atleast if it isn't, it could be... and while I both own and love Amiga games, I'm getting tired of this particular "Amiga"-style of platform title, in fact, James Pond 2 was about the last title I could stand of this type. The graphics are very brite and crisp, and play control is right on the money. Sound is somewhat annoying, especially after you've played for several hours. If you're dying to get you hands on a platform game for the Jag, sit on them and wait for Rayman.

Salamander
Very, very Amiga. Clear graphics, music and responsive gameplay make this a well-rounded title.

>>>>> 73.0/100 <<<<<		Ferrari Man	E.Phoenix	R.I.P.	Salamander
Graphics		4.0	3.5	3.0	4.0
Sound		4.0	4.5	3.5	4.0
Gameplay/Control		4.0	4.5	4.0	3.5
Longevity/Playability		3.5	4.0	1.0	3.5
Overall		4.0	4.5	2.5	3.5
Total		19.5	21.0	14.0	18.5

(03/95)