Zool Redimensioned (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Back in the 90s, 2-D mascot platformers were all the rage, thanks to Sonic.  There were so many that I got downright tired of them and skipped out on quite a few.  Also this was about the time I was really big into 16-bit RPGs like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, so yeah.  Anyway, one of these mascot platformers I missed out on was Zool.  He was a ninja gremlin guy who tromped around 2-D levels based on themes like candy, tools, toys, music, and more.  Zool was on pretty much all the consoles at the time, but hasn’t been heard from since.  There’s a rumor that the infamously bad Wii game Ninjabread Man was originally going to be a 3-D Zool title, but I’m not 100 percent sure on that.  Anyway, now Zool is back on some modern consoles and PC (reviewed on PS4 here) with all sorts of new modes and features.

Like any good 2-D platform hero, Zool can run, double jump, throw ninja stars, climb, slide, and more.  He’ll travel through all sorts of 2-D worlds collecting items and defeating baddies.  Each world is based on a theme like candy, toys, etc.  There are four levels in each themed world, with a boss at the end of the fourth area.  Scattered all over the place are goodies for Zool to collect for points, and he’ll get a badge at the end of the level if you collect enough. There are also three hidden giant collectables as well.  Defeated enemies will drop power-ups like healing hearts, screen clearing bombs, and more.  If you get hit, you’ll lose energy, and if you lose all your energy you’ll have to start at the last checkpoint or area depending on how many lives you have.  But there are unlimited continues so it’s not too frustrating.

There are two ways to play the main game.  Redimensioned Mode gives you a wider view of the screen, thanks to TV resolutions being better now.  This mode also adds a double jump the original game didn’t have.  Just turn off the feature that makes it look like you’re playing on an older TV.  It just looks ugly.  If you play in Ultimate Ninja mode, the graphics are zoomed in more like the original game and you can’t double jump.  I’m not sure if the levels are EXACTLY the same as the original, but they seem close.  Rounding out the package is a Party Mode for up to four players.  You’ll challenge each other in single screen arenas where you try and collect the most goodies, hold a crown the longest, or bounce a ball through a goal.

You know what’s weird is that back in the day, I would’ve avoided this game like the plague.  But after playing it now, I don’t think it’s THAT bad.  Sure it’s no Sonic Mania and the gameplay is a bit sloppy and slippery sometimes.  But it also reminded me of Jazz Jackrabbit, a mascot platformer I did like back then.  And since there’s not a glut of these types of games out now, it’s kind of welcome.  So if you like 2-D mascot platformers, you may want to check this one out.

Kid Factor:

Zool Redimensioned is rated E for Everyone with an ESRB descriptor of Mild Fantasy Violence.  You can jump on cartoony bad guys and throw ninja stars at them, but they just explode into pixels when defeated.  When you get hit, you just make a “wah” sound and you flash out of existence when you lose all your energy, but that’s about as violent as it gets.  Reading skill is helpful for some of the text, but not necessary just to play.  Younger gamers may need help with the tougher spots, though.

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