Retro Video Game Reviews: Comix Zone (Sega Genesis)

By the time video gaming reached the 16-bit console systems such as Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, there was a well-established library of fighting games, such as the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter series. There were also plenty of comics-related titles to choose from as well, with many Batman and Spider-Man adventures among them.

But one game sticks out as truly aiming for the popular comic book genre in an original, unique fashion: Comix Zone, the Sega Genesis beat-'em-up that featured a protagonist who was a comics artist who gets sucked into the pages of a comic by one of his own created villains. Moving from frame to frame across the pages of the comic book, he must use fighting moves and combos, an inventory, and puzzle-solving skills in order to advance.

So how did this game stand up to critiquing?

Graphics

This game looked splendid, with flashy graphics splashing across the pages of the now-life-sized comic book. In its fanciful take on comic art, Comix Zone establishes a rather unique statement on pop art in general, combining the best of what comics and video games have to offer in terms of appearances.

Sound

The soundtrack for this tale was bold, with dynamic tunes appropriately supplemented by hard-hitting effects and voiceovers. The cutscene to open the storyline is punctuated by a riveting, pounding background track; the fighting blows are vicious, visceral, and violent; and the voiceover work is sharp and highly characterized. One drawback, though, is that the voice actors put so much effort and fun into their voices that, sometimes, the more improvised and unique bits are misunderstood (the crouching green ninjas in the sewers have a phrase they say that I have never, ever been able to understand). While this is often made up for because there are easily read speech bubbles present, sometimes lines are completely lost, as in the case of the crouching green sewer ninjas.

Innovation

While the beat-'em-up formula had been done countless times before, and even with items, Comix Zone truly tread new ground in its presentation and originality, offering a completely new world to become immersed in, and the lighthearted factor of a hero lost in his own comic-book world. But beyond the original design, characters, and plot, it does begun to feel redundant by the fourth level or so.

Replay Value

There are two elements to any video game that are critically important to its appeal: Difficulty level and depth. If a game is too easy or too difficult, or if there is not much to do in it, then a player will not want to keep playing repeated sessions. In the case of Comix Zone, it does have issues here. There are only six levels, for instance. While this may seem the perfect length for some, and certain levels do seem arduous, the issue lies in the coupling of levels against the high amount of difficulty. This is one of those titles that would be enjoyed by hardcore gamers but, for most, will only serve to frustrate and infuriate.

When all aspects are considered, Comix Zone is definitely a good game, but remained a somewhat obscure title because it was not remarkably spectacular. Yes, it looked pretty, and yes, it was even fun fighting, but in the end it is merely another cartridge in the stack of solid Genesis titles, earning a firm three and a half stars out of five.