I reviewed this game back in 2022. I received a review code from Sumo Digital, however all thoughts and opinions on my own.
Let’s Rewind to the 90’s.
If you were alive in the 90’s then you would know that it seemed to be a dumping ground for many gaming characters and mascots, all seemingly scrambling to make a huge impression on our childhood memories. Some of them have lived on for what seems like forever, while others have faded away; and this got me thinking, do any of you remember Zool?
Created by Gremlin Games, his first game; Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension saw its initial release for the Amiga in 1992, but it was later ported to various other consoles such as the Amiga, Atari ST, Gameboy, Game Gear Master System Mega Drive and SNES to name a few!
According to online sources, Zool was initially created to rival Sonic the Hedgehog, who at the time was making a big impact on the gaming industry. And this was reflected in the style of gameplay. It was a colourful 2D platformer that was just full of collectables, enemies and plenty of traversing that relied on smooth, fast moving gameplay.
Sound familiar? Well Sonic he is not! Although the only thing that Sonic didn’t have was an in-your-face Chupa-Chups collaboration!
Upon its release, it was receiving a lot of heavy hype, and was even being bundled with the then newly launched Amiga 1200. All this marketing seemingly paid off, as the game was met with fairly positive reviews, with the original Amiga game receiving critical acclaim. Even the Sega Game Gear port received plenty of positive responses, and was praised for its ‘Great graphics and sound abound’, along with its ‘Crisp gameplay’.
The only criticisms that I could find were from Electronic Gaming Monthly who had claimed that; "Zool sports great graphics but ends up with a case of Super Trolland disease, where your character moves too fast and with little control".
However, even with its initial success, it didn’t seem like this was going to last forever. Zool 2 was released the following year, in 1993, and to more high review scores, but it wasn’t ported to as many other platforms as before- so maybe that contributed to its downfall of falling into a black hole of obscurity!
So what happened to Zool? Well, apart from two adult novels entitled ‘Cool Zol’ and ‘Zool Rules’ that were both released in 1995, not a lot happened, and his whereabouts in the early 90’s were unknown.
Zool Redimensioned
Zool Redimensioned brings back cherished memories of classic platforming adventures while infusing them with a fresh coat of paint and modern gaming conveniences. Originally released in the early 90s, Zool quickly became a cult favourite among gamers with its fast-paced action, colourful world, and challenging gameplay. Now, with Zool Redimensioned, old fans can relive the magic, and new players can experience the charm of this obscure platformer.
Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension got a remaster and saw its release on August 18th on Steam, with it later being ported over to Xbox One and PS4 respectively. It’s unfortunately just a remaster of the original Sega Mega Drive port, so if you were looking for a whole new game entirely, you might be left feeling very disappointed. However, as far as simple remasters go, this is a pretty good one!
Graphics and Visuals:
Firstly, let’s talk about the visuals, as you know I’m a sucker for graphics! When you boot up Zool Redimensioned, you instantly be blown away by how vibrant and visually stunning the graphics are. Although it still resembles the Megs Drive port, there is no denying that the game has gone through a minor visual facelift. Every level is bursting with detail, from the lush forest to the futuristic cities, creating a feast for the eyes that will keep players engaged from start to finish. The only downside is there is a major lack of Chupa Chups branding anywhere.
Gameplay and Controls:
Despite its old school roots, Zool: Redimensioned manages to feel surprisingly fresh and intuitive thanks to its polished mechanics and responsive controls. The platforming itself is as addictive as ever, with Zool effortlessly leaping, spinning, and dashing his way through every level. The game strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility, making it an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.
Soundtrack and Audio:
A blast from the past! Accompanying the action packed gameplay, is its stellar soundtrack that perfectly compliments the on-screen action. The upbeat tunes and catchy melodies will have you humming along as you traverse through each level; or it will just get stuck in your head for days! Additionally, the sound effects themselves are crisp and satisfying, further enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Replay Value:
With plenty of difficult levels to get through, hidden secrets to uncover, and a variety of unlockable content, Zool:Redimensioned offers plenty of reasons to keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re aiming for a perfect run, or simply looking to explore every nook and cranny of its colourful worlds, there’s always something new to discover in this charming platformer!
Who Are Sumo Digital Academy?
One thing that caught my attention about Zool: Redimensioned is that studio behind this game. The remaster was developed by Sumo Digital Academy and published by Secret Mode, and for those who don’t know, Sumo Digital Academy is a talented development program for graduates who are looking to set foot in the gaming industry.
What further impresses me about this game is that the students who joined in 2020 had successfully built this game, and designed the entire engine from scratch without any prior knowledge.
Should You Buy Zool: Redimensioned?
In conclusion, Zool: Redimensioned is a lovingly crafted homage to a bygone era of gaming. It managed to capture the spirit of the original game whilst adding some minor modern tweaks and touches that make it feel right at home in today’s gaming landscape. With its stunning visuals, addictive gameplay and infectious charm, it’s a must play for fans of platformers old and new alike.
My only minor complaint is that there aren't really any real extras, like it would have perhaps been nice to have the opportunity to unlock concept art, or even port-like reskins, so you can visually experience other ports like the Game Gear or Amiga version too.
However, I do personally recommend this game to retro gamers and newcomers alike. Let’s just hope that this revival of an obscure mascot has generated enough buzz to revive other long lost 90’s characters from the dead.