Zool 2
Encyclopedia
Zool 2 is a sequel
to the video game Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
, developed and published by Gremlin Graphics
in 1993
. In 2000 the game was re-released as part of The Best of Gremlin compilation.
ninja Zool returns, and this time his enemies in the game were named Krool and his assistant Mental Block
, whose goal is to stifle the world's imagination, causing rampant boredom. In his fight Zool is aided by his female companion, named Zooz (in a red costume), and his faithful dog Zoon. The ending contained a hint at a possible further sequel.
-wise to the original game, but with more cartoonish and detailed graphics. It added the option to play as Zool's female counterpart, Zooz. The two characters played similarly, although there were some subtle differences in their abilities. Most notably, Zool could destroy parts of the scenery that Zooz couldn't, and vice versa, resulting in a slightly different route through the level. The sequel, like the original, also featured several mini games. The most common was a version of Breakout
which used Zool's two-headed pet dog as a paddle.
by request from Commodore
, but when Gremlin Graphics failed to reach the deadline, Zool 2 was bundled with the Amiga 1200
's Computer Combat pack in 1994.
, 90% in Amiga Computing
and 86% in Amiga Power
. However, it did not make an impact the way its predecessor had, despite arguably being the better game as the difficulty level had been curbed and the controls were more responsive. A possible reason for the game's relative lack of attention was that by this stage the system that Zool was most associated with, the Amiga, was in decline as a gaming format.
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the video game Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
Zool
Zool is a video game originally produced for the Amiga by Gremlin Graphics in 1992.Zool was intended as a rival to Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. It was heavily hyped upon its initial release, including being bundled with the newly launched Amiga 1200, although not the AGA version with enhanced...
, developed and published by Gremlin Graphics
Gremlin Interactive
Gremlin Interactive was a British software house based in Sheffield and working mostly in the home computer market.- History :...
in 1993
1993 in video gaming
-Events:*March — In Sweden, the Swedish video game magazine Super PLAY starts. The original name is Super Power.*Midway Games embroiled in controversy for its game Mortal Kombat from 1992 when the game is launched for video game consoles in 1993....
. In 2000 the game was re-released as part of The Best of Gremlin compilation.
Story
The intergalactic GremlinGremlin
A gremlin is an imaginary creature commonly depicted as mischievous and mechanically oriented, with a specific interest in aircraft. Gremlins' mischievous natures are similar to those of English folkloric imps, while their inclination to damage or dismantle machinery is more...
ninja Zool returns, and this time his enemies in the game were named Krool and his assistant Mental Block
Mental block
A mental block is either a repression of painful thoughts, or an inability to continue a train of thought, like in the case of writer's block. A similar phenomenon occurs when one cannot solve a problem in mathematics which one would normally consider simple. In the case of writer's block, many...
, whose goal is to stifle the world's imagination, causing rampant boredom. In his fight Zool is aided by his female companion, named Zooz (in a red costume), and his faithful dog Zoon. The ending contained a hint at a possible further sequel.
Gameplay
Zool 2 is very similar gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
-wise to the original game, but with more cartoonish and detailed graphics. It added the option to play as Zool's female counterpart, Zooz. The two characters played similarly, although there were some subtle differences in their abilities. Most notably, Zool could destroy parts of the scenery that Zooz couldn't, and vice versa, resulting in a slightly different route through the level. The sequel, like the original, also featured several mini games. The most common was a version of Breakout
Breakout clone
A Breakout clone is a sub-class of the "bat-and-ball" genre introduced with the Magnavox Odyssey's Tennis and Atari's Pong...
which used Zool's two-headed pet dog as a paddle.
Development
The game has been originally planned to be bundled with the Amiga CD32Amiga CD32
The Amiga CD32, styled "CD32" , was the first 32-bit CD-ROM based video game console released in western Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. It was first announced at the Science Museum in London, United Kingdom on 16 July 1993, and was released in September of the same year...
by request from Commodore
Commodore International
Commodore is the commonly used name for Commodore Business Machines , the U.S.-based home computer manufacturer and electronics manufacturer headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which also housed Commodore's corporate parent company, Commodore International Limited...
, but when Gremlin Graphics failed to reach the deadline, Zool 2 was bundled with the Amiga 1200
Amiga 1200
The Amiga 1200, or A1200 , was Commodore International's third-generation Amiga computer, aimed at the home market...
's Computer Combat pack in 1994.
Ports
The Amiga remained the lead format for the second game, but unlike the first it was not widely converted.Reception
The game also received generally high review scores, including 93% in Amiga FormatAmiga Format
Amiga Format was a British computer magazine for Amiga computers, published by Future Publishing. The magazine lasted 136 issues from 1989 to 2000. The magazine was formed when, in the wake of selling ACE to EMAP, Future split the dual-format title ST/Amiga Format into two separate publications...
, 90% in Amiga Computing
Amiga Computing
Amiga Computing was a monthly computer magazine of a serious nature, published by Europress and IDG in both the UK and USA. A total of 117 issues came out. The games section was called Gamer, although later Amiga Action was incorporated into the magazine and became the games section.- External...
and 86% in Amiga Power
Amiga Power
Amiga Power was a monthly magazine about Amiga computer games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996....
. However, it did not make an impact the way its predecessor had, despite arguably being the better game as the difficulty level had been curbed and the controls were more responsive. A possible reason for the game's relative lack of attention was that by this stage the system that Zool was most associated with, the Amiga, was in decline as a gaming format.