E3 2012: Zeno Clash II Impressions

The original Zeno Clash let you run around bizarre environments and pummel oddly-shaped creatures with your fists. The sequel will be similar, but will also feature a larger, more open game world, drop-in, drop-out cooperative play, and a more developed battle system.

You still play as Ghat, who can be joined by Rimat for co-operative sessions. Though no real story elements were on display at E3 2012, there was a brief battle sequence. Character designs here are just as strange as in the first title, featuring enemies with disproportionately tiny heads, garbage can lids flopping above their foreheads, skinny limbs and giant beards. The choice of colors, style of lighting and textures combine to creature the impression that this world might be made of Play-Doh. It’s a lot to digest upon first sight.

Ace Team’s clearly put a lot of work into animations as well. Enemies move around with an eerie fluidity, which you could spend a lot of time admiring if they weren’t also intent on punching you in the nose. To defend you can block or quickly dodge to the side, then return straight jabs or powerful hooks. You’ll need to pay attention to the kind of punch you throw, because enemies block attacks from specific directions. If they guard their head’s left side, you’ll want to throw a hook to their right. If they put up both arms to block hooks, you’ll want to punch directly down the center.

Foes react appropriately regardless of where you hit them, reeling and wincing, making it seem like your punches are actually making an impact. Periodically you’ll see little white circles pop up over places on enemy models, and if you’re able to land a hit within the circle before it disappears, you’re awarded with an extra-powerful hit, accompanied by a special animation.

Movement and punching has an odd sort of pacing, like the first game. This isn’t a lightning fast combat system, it’s slow and deliberately uneven, making it feel like your limbs need time to move around and reposition themselves before launching another attack. At six to ten hours it sounds like there’ll be quite a bit more content than the first one too.

Zeno Clash II is currently scheduled to launch in 2013 for Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and PC.



Source : ign[dot]com