Zool 2

"Nostalgic Jaguar fare..."

I don't know why I'm being compelled to write a review of this game. I think it's because I picked up a copy of Zool 2 the other day and feel I need to rant about what no one else probably knows (or cares ;) about. Zool 2 is a platforming game released in the very early days of the Jaguar, pre-Rayman. The game is a sequel to the cult Super Nintendo and Amiga hit, which in its time had both an innovative style and smart challenging gameplay. The same can be said with the Jaguar's Zool 2. Back in the day this was a fun, challenging weekend romp that was definitely different than anything Nintendo or Sega was putting out. But while age is kind to some games, it can be cruel to others. It wasn't quite cruel to this one in particular, but father time has certainly given Zool 2 a good crack in the face or two.

Graphics: Argue all you want about the Jaguar being a true 64 bit system, but remember it's games that make a console and show what it can do, and nothing on the Jaguar was close to 64 bit quality (though later releases such as Sky Hammer and Towers 2 showed it was a viable 32 bit contender). Zool 2 is 16 bits through and through. In fact, it looks almost like the first game on the Super Nintendo. The game has a style that is completely it's own, with huge environments made up of candy and other wacky stuff. The game looks bland though, but in 2003 as I write this, the graphics never turned me off because it has such a unique look to it. Be prepared though for hefty amounts of slowdown when the screen gets crowded (64 bits huh?)and for some very uninteresting enemies and very, very lame bosses.

Music/Sound: Make it stop! The music is completely aggrivating with happy, happy, joy, joy music that repeats itself over and over again. The constant blings of collecting items doesn't help much either. I suggest you keep the volume low.

Gameplay: Solid platforming action that only a Jaguar fan could love. The controls are right on the money. The levels are HUGE and finding your way through them while collecting 99 pieces of candy plus working against a timer adds some welcomed challenge. However the game feels impossible to play through later on in the game as it gets a little too hard. You pretty much do the same hopping, bopping and collecting throughout the game, which means aside from the massive levels, there won't be much to keep your interest later on in the game; making everything extremely repetitive by level 4.

Overall: Not terrible, but not exceptional. Zool 2 is a very comfortable average, meaning that those of you platforming freaks out there looking for something to hop your way through have another option after you beat all the Marios, Sonics and Raymans of the world.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 03/02/03, Updated 03/02/03