ZPC

Developer: Zombie	Publisher: GT Interactive
Release Date: 1995	Also On: MAC

Who can forget the glory days of the first-person shooter? Catacomb 3D, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and soon thereafter tons of others. Remember Duke Nukem 3D? Quake? The genre is so commonplace now and overdone it surprises me that anyone bothers. It seems that anymore the only games that sell systems are first-person shooters, none of which have had any real appeal to me in recent years simply because they're just increasing graphics and haven't really managed to do much to make the games original. Of all of them, though, there stands a game so impressive to me it simply must be reviewed. After the release of Marathon, which was touted as one of the most innovative first-person shooters of its day, the same game engine was used to create a title so unique in its design that it still stands as one of the most creative games ever made, even though it's sadly unknown to the majority of the gaming community. Even the most hardcore of gamers don't know of it, and even the most dedicated of first-person shooter fans aren't even aware it exists. I'm talking about ZPC, so let's get to it.

Graphically, ZPC was incredibly, undoubtedly, uncategorically years and decades beyond anything that was around at the time and would define itself as a title of its own separate world. In case you don't know him, Aidan Hughes, the artist most known for his cover art for the band KMFDM, designed this entire game. This artwork goes back to the Soviet era using a type of art called Constructivism, which essentially looks like what most people today would call 'propaganda art'. Angular, simple, with a stark color scheme and cubic look to everything is the best way to explain it, but look it up. Anyway, so the entire game is designed using this art style, everything from the incredible, goosebump gathering opening to the game proper. It's really original and creates a totally unique atmosphere that fits perfectly with the game theme. Of course, some of the programming is primitive in terms of today's shooters, but the stylized look makes this game timeless and aside from some movement problems that were simply the way it was back then, ZPC is one of the most artistic, visionary video games I've ever seen, if not the most. It looks spectacular with excellent death sequences, incredibly innovative and creepy characters, wonderful environments and so much that I could write the entire review on this aspect alone. To give you a sampling, check out the clip below and be amazed. What you'll see below is the story and in-between level shots. Not enough to get the full effect, but perhaps enough to get you to find it!

Oh my god does it get better than this? Not only does ZPC look incredible, it sounds incredible. During this time in video game history, the majority of first-person shooters had some sort of soundtrack or monster effects that kept running for the most part. ZPC utilizes incidental music and sound effects. Thus, while walking in the marketplace, you'll hear sounds that sound like a crowd of people at market, or you may hear random moaning of tormented creatures later on and a slew of other sounds that set a perfect mood. Music is not constant, only played at times of tension or to add to the environment. Weapon sounds are right on, and some of them are unique, such as the charging up of the dreaded Tesla gun. Add to this the music, which was done by members of both Ministry and The Revolting Cocks, and you get something spectacular. The music is epic, military-like at times, or just downright creepy and depressing, all fitting with the wonderful plot they put together here. I saw a random comment in a walkthrough for this game stating that there was no sound, but clearly the player didn't realize that, unfortunately, you have to adjust your computer to play this now, because it runs in Windows 95 only. Anyway, the sound is perfect, on to the next category.

So what about the gameplay? Well, ZPC is an excellent presentation. I'll say this to begin so you know, though awesome, it's not really any different than any other first-person shooter of the time. By the time this came out, the whole idea was pretty much solidified so there wasn't too much new that could be done. But anyway, let me continue. Basically, you play as Arman, the last in the line of god kings who protect the people of the planet and rule over them. In time, a group called the Black Bretheren gain political control and turn the world into a techonological sludge heap, eating humans, controling slaves and so forth. Arman is placed into cyrogenic sleep in space, to be revived by the few surviving believers who want him to return the world to its former greatness. Armed with the Johnny 7, a gun designer by your followers that has seven separate functions, you go on a quest to enter the Black Bretheren's inner city complex to regain control of Mt. Psion. You go through sewers fighting horrid beasts, ruined city complexes swimming in septic, icy sludge, human processing plants, the apartment complex of the Black Bretheren's minions and a variety of other cool realms set into a series of eight main stages with three levels each.

ZPC essentially plays just like any other shooter. You have a variety of weapons you progressively get, tons of enemies to destroy, switches to locate to open doors and so forth. What really sets it apart, however, is the integration of the plot using the music and graphics for a total experience. It's not just go, shoot and done. This has a story behind it that creates a wonderful atmosphere and plenty of variety. I especially enjoyed how more difficult enemies and monsters were introduced only at certain points and sometimes that was it. The Dominators, for example, short, stout, brown and ugly midget-like creatures that attack with vomit, appear briefly in at attempt to stop you from getting a piece of your royal attire. The levels are set up in interesting, progressively more difficult and vast fashions, and I can't say I really have a problem with it at all. The only gripe is that on the surface it's just another shooter, but what the programmers did here is well beyond the typical first-person at the time, and even today. I have friends who have tried it out to only be amazed at how unique it is. Eventually, you lose your gun entirely to utilize your psychic powers, which was a welcome change near the end. ZPC seems to have it all, I wouldn't call the gameplay perfect because of the simple fact it's a regular shooter in many respects, but I'm scoring high because it has so much to offer.

Do I even need to comment on this category? ZPC is incredibly creative and makes excellent usage of a stylized look with good integration of plot, gameplay and sound. This is high on my list as one of the most creative games ever made. The only fault is that aside from this, it is, as I must say again, a typical first-person shooter.

I've played ZPC numerous times over the years I've had it, and only a few months ago purchased one again after my friend stole my copy to play for himself. It took me three hours to get it to work properly on my computer, but it was well worth it. I'm still playing it and I remember a time, my lowest moment in video gaming, when I seriously played this for eight straight hours without moving, eating or cleaning myself. It was horrid and I stunk, but it was worth it! As for game length, definitely long, but you can save with these 'Memory Orbs' wherever you like, so you can come back whenever you want, making for the perfect experience in this respect. High marks again.

ZPC is one of those games that deserves more attention and it seems I've said this before but in this case it's truly the issue that most bothers me. In an era when first-person shooters are the norm and never really stepped beyond the typical boundaries set back in the 90s, something like this has yet to come again, even though it didn't really have much of an impact in its own time. Innovation and artistry are one of the most important aspects for video games, especially in a genre that's so easy to do and so lacking now in variety. This, with another title called Blood, are usually considered two of the greatest first-person shooters that were overlooked, but I have to say I choose this over the other. If you haven't checked it out before, there are free trial runs online. Getting a copy is fairly easy, but you'll need to hone yoru computer skills if you want to play it, because it takes a bit of tweaking to get it to work. MAC users can rejoice as well, because it was released for it as well and seems to work without problem on newer models. Get to it! Oh, by the way, in case you were wondering, ZPC stands for Zero Population Count.

Graphics:	10
Sound:	10
Gameplay:	8.5
Creativity:	9
Replay Value/Game Length:	9.5
Final:	9.2
Written by Stan	Review Guide

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