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Most Doom TCs attempt to transport the player into a different and
unfamiliar world. Some of these succeed at their goal more readily than
others. However, for the past six years, every single Doom TC ever
released retained a certain intangible quality which linked it to its host
game. The weapons were exceedingly similar. Enemies acted just as you'd
expect. The game play, the atmosphere, was reminiscent of the game upon
which it was constructed. No matter how well-made the TC, none ever truly
escaped the confines of Doom.
The ZanZan TC not only escapes these confines, it smashes them with a
gigantic hammer.
Created by Edmundo Bordeu, who comprised 1/3 of the team which created the highly acclaimed Batman Doom total conversion, the ZanZan TC is about as far away from that previous accomplishment as any TC could be. The first thing to be noticed when beginning to play the TC -- the feeling which never leaves the player throughout the depressingly short run of the game -- is this is not Doom. The world is both overwhelmingly foreign and at the same time oddly familiar. When the player enters the game, he is immediately thrust into a plot which he might only vaguely understand. Why am I here? What is this dying creature in front of me? Those who have read the back story beforehand will realize that they are ZanZan, an immortal creature who now appears to be mortal and wounded. The TC instantly creates a strong sense of alienation and confusion, both about the player's motives and his history. What is happening to the ZanZan? Who is loyal and who is not? The Senorgen, small plant-like animals found throughout the game, are fiercely loyal to their master, and give the ZanZan information even though they know it will cost them their lives. The Zesters, tall blue spindly creatures, appear bent on the ZanZan's destruction, but may be somewhat appeased if the player is merciful. Then there is Koocayam, who for most of the game remains a mystery. Only when ZanZan stumbles upon his sanctuary are past events made clear: Koocayam, working to protect the lives of the human race against ZanZan's wrath, convinced the great and ancient Avedusa to steal ZanZan's immortality; Koocayam, however, had no intent of allowing Avedusa to keep it. Who is the antagonist in this scenario? If one reads the short comic strip on the ZanZan webpage before playing the game, one will side with Koocayam, who is attempting to save Earth from destruction, and overthrow a despotic ruler. Upon playing, however, one takes the viewpoint of ZanZan, who is doing what he considers necessary, and is being rebelled against by the scheming and manipulative Koocayam. At the conclusion of the TC, ZanZan seems less like a once-great ruler than a saddened and broken being, who recognizes the trouble which lies ahead but realizes he is powerless to do anything about it. Which side is right? That is for the player to contemplate. The ZanZan TC seems less like a TC meant to play than one meant to soak in. There are a scant three levels, and the entire thing can be finished in under half an hour. Does this hurt or help the experience? Naturally I wish that it lasted longer, but I also wonder what would happen to the story-line if it were expanded. As it is, the TC nicely balances its game play with its storytelling. The graphics are astounding. As the first Doom TC to run under a GL-accelerated port, nearly all the enemies and effects take advantage of the full-3D format available. From the cattle monsters to the sticklike Zesters to the final battle with Koocayam, everything is modelled immaculately and realistically. Edmundo Bordeu has become an exceptional modeller and animator, and the TC reflects that. What is there to say about the weapons? Like everything else about the TC, they bear little resemblance to anything ever seen in Doom. ZanZan starts with his singular hulking clawed hand, which while weak is still more than effective against most of the monsters in the game. The HUD graphic for the weapon, like all the rest, is a sprite; while normally this would be expected, the rest of the game bathes the player in such glorious 3D that the weapons look quite shoddy in comparison. Does the ZanZan TC offer exceptional game play? Unfortunately, the answer is no; if you want Doom-style action, look elsewhere. However, it shows just what can be done using the Doom engine, and does so quite convincingly. I can only hope that this is not Edmundo's last Doom project - and I also hope that the ZanZan universe is visited again sometime. Its too good not to be. Reviewed by Linguica |
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