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(SV Reanimator)
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
"The Information Reconnaisance that Spy Gamers
Need"
The world has been
forced into a permanent eclipse by an underground, corrupt organization
of government. You have been hired by the government agencies to tap into
the security stronghold where the manipulation of the moon is taking place,
so that you can find a way to return sunlight to the planet before the
Earth's resources are destroyed.
Knock out police guards
and pass through tunnels in search of the hidden potions that are scattered
throughout the laboratory. If you can infiltrate the complex successfully,
then you will be commended and the world will be saved. But if you are
killed, your memory will be disavowed. Knowing this, you put on your white
trenchcoat and begin your mission...
| Graphics (n.)
The use of animation and visual effects to stimulate the senses |
vvvv
(Very Good) |
Very nice. The graphics of PromZone are
dark and polished, creating the feel of travelling through the slums and
labs of a corrupted city. In terms of art this game reaches the level of
detail found not of QB games, but of high-end Sega Genesis and even 2D-generation
PC titles. Every tile and artframe was rendered with a consistent style.
In this respect there's nothing else to say-- SV Reanimator really did
a bang-up job.
Animation is another department where PromZone is above average. The hero, dressed in what appears to be a white trenchcoat, comes with more than enough sprites to portray the game's in-depth action. Whether you're climbing ladders or shooting baddies with your gun, the animation remains smooth and consistent. The one place where PromZone misses the mark is when you compare the amount of graphics in the game to other QB platformers. While the game itself is well above the standard in terms of game graphics, PromZone features only one game level. This forces a limited number of tilesets, and while the environment blends well and comes with multiple layers, the game ends too quickly to show the full capacity of SV Reanimator's efforts. |
| Sound/Music (n.)
The smooth blend of atmospheric sounds and original harmonies |
vvvv
(Very Good) |
Here's another department where SV Reanimator
manages to perform some technical breakthroughs. I'm not exactly sure if
the music in PromZone is original, since SV Reanimator's game package comes
without a credits list. But I will say that the Sound Blaster musical tunes
are well-constructed and pleasing to the ear.
Another plus comes in the game's sound effects. PromZone invests an extra effort by adding sounds of pistol fire and enemies screaming in pain upon impact. In this sense SV Reanimator is very professional; the graphics and sound truly complement each other in a way that sets an example for future QB action-type games. There could be a little more polish before the blend of graphics and sound is excellent, but for a platformer PromZone is as close as it gets. |
| Gameplay (n.)The precision of control and involvement of character within its universe | vvv
(Good) |
Gameplay is one of those departments where PromZone takes a hit because the game comes with only one game level. There's lots of interaction to be found; basically your mission is to collect five capsules then enter the level exit, where the game ends and sunlight is restored to the planet Earth. What gets in your way will come in the form of police guards stationed throughout the building. If you can find the capsules, shoot down as many guards as necessary, and find ammunition crates and first aid kits whenever you're running low on ammo or health, you will solve this game. Make no mistake though, the one game level in this game is designed with an involved and spy-like flair. |
| Story (n.)
The creativity and presentation of the game's critical plot |
vv
(Average) |
Average. If there's any good reason why PromZone didn't end up being the top platformer in V Planet's list, it probably has something to do with the fact that PromZone lacks in the Story department. A lot of the game's description shown above was implied through in-game demos that occur in the beginning and end of the game. Unfortunately, these demos do not come with text or voice dialogue; it's merely a bunch of pictures. But the pictures do seem to tell a story that can be interpreted a few ways, and this storybook element is just enough to give the game an average rating in the Story department where most QB games would simply a poorer score. |
| Replay Value (n.)
The timelessness of the gamer's delight, such that the experience can be repeated again and again |
vvv
(Good) |
The mixture of good game control and Computer
AI is probably the main reason why PromZone gets a good replay value rating.
This game has some true spy tactics involved. For example, it's always
better to take the jump on the guards when they're turned around, but they
react once you shoot them once in the legs. A shot in the head is more
damaging, but you run the risk of getting shot yourself if you don't crouch.
It's a small detail, but it makes interaction with each enemy in this game
that much more intense.
Another example of the "spy" element in this game's replay value is when you have to search for the potions or capsules in the laboratory. They're not incredibly hidden but they're often well-guarded, and it adds a spy objective element to the game that wouldn't be possible if PromZone was just a straight platform game with nothing more than an entrance and an exit. |
| Challenge (v.)
To strike the mental nerve in such a way as to stimulate human thought and reflexes |
vvv
(Good) |
SV Reanimator must be a true believer
of the "quality versus quantity" aspect of games, because they accomplished
the same in the Challenge category. There may only one type of enemy (a
police guard), but the police guards are quite intelligent and very interactive.
What you do, whether you try to sneak up to them from the back or try to
jump them from the front, affects how the police guard will move. You'll
also notice that police guards tend to be a little more courageous when
they're in numbers, or when they come from both sides. This not only adds
to the challenge aspect in terms of the thinking you have to do, but it
also adds a strategic aspect that you rarely get from a 2D platformer.
The level layout of PromZone is diverse. You can enter the laboratory from many routes that intertwine with each other as you search for the potions necessary to restore sunlight to the earth. You don't need to shoot down every police guard to get all the potions, so part of the challenge is choosing a route that will cause you the least trouble. Unless you've practiced for a while, you're not going to be able to shoot down every guard you see. They're very intelligent and they can overwhelm you if you're outnumbered. What you can do is learn where all the useful ammunition crates and first aid kits are and use that to your advantage. |
| Fun Factor (n.)
The overall entertainment value as maintained throughout the adventure |
vvvv
(Very Good) |
PromZone reminds me of a high-budget Hollywood
movie. On the bad side, you don't get the game length or the plotline necessary
to give the story part of PromZone some substance. But like a Hollywood
movie, you get a lot of fun factor for the time that you do play the game.
QB Platform games like this, where there are a lot of physics and game
mechanics involved, are rare when you consider just how intuitive the control
system is. Double that with the fact that PromZone has absolutely no bugs
and you have a very solid game that has the entertainment of the gamer
in mind.
PromZone Reviewed by QBShire |
| Players | 1 player | Genre: Platform Game |
| Rating |  |
To solve: 30 min Final Rating: 23/35 |
To download this game, click here.
| Installation Tips
wIf you're unzipping this program in DOS, use the -d option. wTo play PromZone, run "PROMZONE.BAT". |