Comix Zone: A too often overlooked gem

[Rev. Rob]

In 1995 the 16-bit era was coming to and end. Sega had been in the lead in the 16-bit console race since it introduced its Genesis in 1989 and it was fighting to retain that lead. Though the Super Nintendo Entertainment System would become number one in sales after the 1995 holiday season, Sega were committed to releasing new and innovative software to keep an edge. New franchises were born, and Comix Zone, “The worlds first fully interactive comic book,” was one of them.

 

The game takes place in present day New York City. Through a cinematic introduction gamers are introduced to the hero, Sketch Turner, a writer/artist/freelance rock musician who is working on his comic book, Comix Zone late on a dark stormy night in his gothic high rise apartment with his best friend, Roadkill, a sewer rat who Sketch saved from death years earlier. Suddenly, seemingly from no where, the villain of the comic book world which he created, Mortus, rises from the pages and traps Sketch in his own comic book, along with his pal Roadkill Through out the game Mortus sketches in enemies to attack Sketch.

 

The game begins with Sketch in the N.W.E. (New World Empire) control room in Newer York City. There he meets face to face with another one of his creations, General Alissa Cyan, (much more attractive than Mortus). Alissa gives Sketch a briefing of the situation and Sketch is left to explore the depths of Comix Zone.

 

Players take Sketch page by page and panel by panel through this distinctive title. In each panel on all six pages there is either a fight or a puzzle to solve. To move from panel to panel a flashing arrow will appear to show which path to take. Sometimes there will be two arrows… Sketch can only choose one. This adds a high replay value to the game. Players will want to play it over and over until they’ve explored all possible paths.

 

The combat is simple, as Comix Zone is at its hear a side scrolling beat ‘em up. There are three action buttons. One button jump, one button can be assigned a special move, such as “Shoulder Smash” or “Block.” The third button is the attack button, depending on the directing pressed on the D-Pad, this cause Sketch to kick or punch. Sketch can also roll or tear a piece of paper out of the comic book to make a paper airplane which has the ability to destroy all obstacles and enemies in his path.

 

There are several items in the games that players can collect to assist Sketch. The attack items which are pretty self explanatory: throwing knife, hand grenade, and dynamite. In addition to that there is Ice Tea which restores health, and Roadkill the rat. Roadkill has an exceptional sense of smell. This “item” can be used to locate hidden items in panels. Moreover, as Roadkill was transferred from our world to the comic world something strange happened. His tail became electrified. In addition to sniffing out goodies, Roadkill can be used to electrocute enemies. Another item in the game that players will run across are question marks. Be weary of collecting these. When picked up their can either give you a random item (except for Roadkill), or explode in your face taking down half of your life.

 

This unique gaming experience is my truly great by the sense of comic book authenticity. Each character and back ground is hand drawn by real comic book artists. Even more enchanting is the fact that each character and enemy produce speech or thought bubbles. Sketch himself is prone to making Spiderman-esque smart-alecky remarks.

 

Plans for a 32X version of Comix Zone were announced, but the game was cancelled as Sega decided to drop support for its Genesis add-on. Later a PC version was released. Later, the game was published by THQ for Nintendo’s Gameboy Advance. More recently, it saw new life in the Wii Virtual Console.

 

Anyone who hasn’t played this game should. It provides a unique gaming experience in an authentic comic book atmosphere.

Edited June 25, 2007 by Rev. Rob

[Atariboy]

I don't think it ever made it out for the GBA did it? I was under the impression it got cancelled.

 

I'd like it more if it wasn't so hard I have to cheat.

Edited June 25, 2007 by Atariboy

[2600Lives]

100% in agreement, this game is a totally unique experience. With companies churning out cookie-cutter FPS and RTS games nowadays, this kind of innovation and originality is sorely missing. As a matter of fact, I still have the CD that came with the game (and said CD turned me onto the kick-ass band God Lives Underwater). Seriously, Genny gaming doesn't get much better than this, though I would have really liked a two player mode.

[Michael_]

Top 5 Genesis game. Love it.

[Segataritensoftii]

This game has a lot of potential for an HD treatment. Just imagine...

[Ross PK]

I have this on one of my Sonic collections, it seems quite good, but I haven't really got round to playing it properly yet. I've only played it once ages ago.

[Atarifever]

Is not all that overlooked. It's overlooked by SNES fans who couldn't recognize a good game unless it had pink bunnies or cute dinosaurs in it

[Flojomojo]

I don't think it ever made it out for the GBA did it? I was under the impression it got cancelled.

I think it came out in Europe only. Here's the release information. Reviews from around the web aren't too favorable, so it's probably best to play it elsewhere. It shouldn't be too hard to find: It's hidden on one of the Sonic collections (mega collection plus for PS2 I think), it's on the PSP Genesis collection, and it's also on the Wii Virtual Console, in addition to being quite common in cartridge form on the Genesis.

[A Sprite]

It provides a unique gaming experience

 

*Falls into pit.*

 

*Game starts over*

 

*Falls into pit*

 

*Game starts over*

 

Dammit.

 

*Falls into pit.*

 

*Game starts over*

 

*Falls into pit*

 

*Game starts over*

Edited June 25, 2007 by A Sprite

[koster]

I don't think it ever made it out for the GBA did it? I was under the impression it got cancelled.

I think it came out in Europe only. Here's the release information. Reviews from around the web aren't too favorable, so it's probably best to play it elsewhere. It shouldn't be too hard to find: It's hidden on one of the Sonic collections (mega collection plus for PS2 I think), it's on the PSP Genesis collection, and it's also on the Wii Virtual Console, in addition to being quite common in cartridge form on the Genesis.

Comix Zone is included in the Sega Genesis Collection for PS2.

 

Playing the emulated version makes me want to pull the Genesis cart from storage to see whether there are any noticeable gameplay differences.

[jboypacman]

Was never a big fan of Comix Zone i just couldnt get into it for some reason.

[n8littlefield]

Comix Zone was always a game that I really love the idea of but always get bored within 10 minutes of starting. The gameplay just gets too repetitive over time - some of the levels just take too long to play with that it wears out its welcome for me. Beautiful graphics and unique ideas though.

[Scumdogg]

Comix Zone is great, i just wish it didn't use so many shoddy tricks to make itself more difficult. Oh hey, you have to break through this wall. But, umm....the wall hurts you. Good luck with that. Sorry you used your explosives three walls ago.

 

One of these days i'm going to have to fire up the Game Genie just so i can see the end.

[Atariboy]

You don't have to, theres a built in invincibility cheat that I always use when playing it. Just go to the sound test area and push C on numbers 3, 12,17,2, 2, 10, 2, 7, 7, and 11.

 

Even works on the PS2 and PSP Genesis Collections (Used it to unlock the hidden arcade game you get for passing stage 1 or 2 or whatever it was).

 

Stage select is reached by pressing 14, 15, 18, 5, 13, 1, 3, 18, 15, and 6. Then you highlight a number from 1 to 6 and press C to warp to that stage.

Edited June 26, 2007 by Atariboy

[kevincal]

Was never a big fan of Comix Zone i just couldnt get into it for some reason.

 

Same with me.

[Michael_]

It provides a unique gaming experience

 

*Falls into pit.*

 

*Game starts over*

 

*Falls into pit*

 

*Game starts over*

 

Dammit.

 

*Falls into pit.*

 

*Game starts over*

 

*Falls into pit*

 

*Game starts over*

 

See? They got it right in E.T. (2600) yet that game is taking a lot of heat all the time.