Zipang for PCE
Review #8154
Zipang
I'm blocked
Gameplay
Single screen puzzler. The core mechanic is the ability to build or destroy blocks. Enemies can be killed only by removing a block from below them. It's basically Kickle Cubicle as a platformer but without the ability to directly kill enemies. That last part about not killing enemies is this game's Achilles heel, but we'll talk about that in the level design section.
An oppressive timer means that you can't take your time to noodle over how to solve a room. It's a speedrun the full time.
Laggy controls. Feels like the mid-80's arcade game that it is. Also, jump is accomplished via pressing up on the dpad, which makes it hard to make precise jumps. Jump and move laterally at the same time is a pain. The 2 button is reserved for attacks which are almost never available. This makes platforming awful.
Level Design
I only got through 4 rooms before I was completely stumped. An enemy in a four block space is running back and forth. I only have time to drop onto his floor, build a single block, get on it, and then have him destroy it and then me. What am I supposed to do here?! Needless to say, the difficulty ramps up immediately and wrecks you.
Theme
The opening cinematic has a Ninja Gaiden / Ninja Spirit vibe, but then you're dropped into a cutesy old arcade game.
Art Style
Archaic. NES quality, but cute
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