Zool 2

ZOOL 2
256px Atari Jaguar cover art
Developer(s)	Gremlin Graphics
Publisher(s)	Gremlin Graphics
Distributor(s)	Commodore
Composer(s)	Patrick Phelan Neil Biggin (CD32)
Platforms	Amiga, Amiga CD32, Atari Jaguar, DOS
Release date(s)	1993
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	1-2 players (alternating)

Zool 2 is a sequel to the platform game Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension, developed and published by Gremlin Graphics in 1993 for the Amiga, Amiga CD32, DOS, and Atari Jaguar platforms.

Plot

The intergalactic gremlin 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.

Gameplay

Zool 2 is very similar gameplay-wise to the original game, but with more cartoonish and detailed graphics. It also adds the option to play as Zool's female counterpart, Zooz, who is armed with an energy whip. The two characters played similarly, although there are some subtle differences in their abilities. Most notably, Zool is capable of destroying parts of the scenery that Zooz could not, and vice versa, resulting in a slightly different route through the levels. The sequel, like the original, features several minigames, such as a version of Breakout which uses Zool's two-headed morphing pet dog as a paddle.

Release

The Amiga remained the lead format for the second Zool game, but unlike the first it was not widely ported to the other platforms, except only the Atari Jaguar and DOS. The game had originally been planned to be bundled with the Amiga CD32 at the request of Commodore, but when Gremlin Graphics failed to reach the deadline, Zool 2 was bundled with the Amiga 1200's Computer Combat pack in 1994. The PC version of the game was also re-released as part of the Windows-based compilation CD Best of Gremlin in 2000.

Reception

Reception
Review scores Publication Score Amiga Computing 90% Amiga Power 86% CU Amiga 76% Next Generation

The Amiga versions of Zool 2 received generally high review scores, including 93% in Amiga Format, 90% in Amiga Computing, 86% in Amiga Power and 76% in CU Amiga. Next Generation Magazine gave the PC version three stars out of five, calling it "still a basic platform game, but one of the best we've seen a while." GamePro gave the Jaguar version a positive review, saying that the varied abilities of the playable characters "push this game to the top of the Jaguar hop-n-bop ranks." GamePro also praised the graphics, stating that "Zool's Nth Dimension is a shiny, inventive world that's equal parts candy shop and toy store", and that the Jaguar version is sharper and brighter than previous versions of the game.

External links

• Zool 2 at MobyGames