Mini Review – Zeit2
Shoot em up
Maybe Zeit2 just has a few more genes than normal people.
Rich
With little hype at all, Zeit2 arrived on XBLA this week, destined to sell less copies than Michelle McManus’ next album. It doesn’t do itself many favours though. From the awkward name (Zeit Squared as opposed to Zeit Two), the initially tricky game mechanics and the underwhelming demo, this game is likely to stay unloved until it gets a DOTW reduction. However, it’s actually a very good game albeit one that is a few simple steps away from greatness.
Hot plasma goo all over your chops.
Zeit2 initially gives the impression that it is a standard side-scrolling shooter before quickly introducing a time-travel mechanic into the mix. At this point many people might start thinking that means it’s a bollocksly awkwark puzzle-shooter like the joyless Ikaruga. Thankfully, Zeit2 is a lot more accessible than that and uses the time rewind feature to allow you to be in two places at once, allowing you to clear more enemies from the screen. It also balances out some fairly tough bullet hell sections as well.
As you progress through Arcade Mode (which in turn unlocks other modes), you’ll also receive upgrades to your ship (a disappointingly characterless bubble as opposed to some sort of R9 asskicker). These include a handy laser (that can be split if you fire it at your shadow ship during time travel) and a chain laser (an auto-aiming shot that targets anything within range). Without these weapons, and the time travel mechanic, the game would be pretty savage. With them it’s enjoyably easy to finish (with addition replay value coming from score competition on the leaderboards).
Interestingly, your health meter is depleted when you shoot (although any hits regain health for you) or if an enemy gets past you. This can make for some fairly hectic action later on which at least means that Zeit2 never gets dull. The other modes (a mix of survival, timed and score attacks) also add some value with the Tactics mode adding a taxing puzzle element to the game as you work out which enemies you need to shoot and when to maximise your point-scoring potential. Co-op play is also available if you can talk anyone else into buying the game.
Zeit2 could have been great but it lets itself down a little. An extra couple of months of development time could have made this a masterpiece. Firstly, it’s so bland to look at with indistinct backdrops that rarely change. Set this against a mix of city and space backdrops (like R-Type or the more recent, and brilliant, Omega Five) and it’d be a lot more exciting. Also, the bosses couldn’t be more generic. I’m not saying everything has to be a Giger-esque biomechanical monstronsity but I want more than just large ships to deal with.
Some ground-based enemies would mix things up a bit (you’d have to put some ground in there) and a few Scramble-style peaks and troughs would test your dexterity out. And whilst I’m compiling wish-lists, a couple more weapons would be nice also.
That said, Zeit2 is a perfectly servicable game with a neat time-manipulation twist and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. A little more ambition would have taken it to the next level but in a sea of puzzle games and twin-stick shooters, Zeit2 is pleasant enough diversion for the 800M$P price tag.
7/10