An Assorted Menagerie- Four From Zoo Reviewed

One of the most prolific publishers of bargain-priced software is Zoo Games. While the bulk of their line-up leans toward the middling, they’ve been known to release the occasional gem, such as Order Up! or Puzzle Kingdoms. Today, we examine four of Zoo’s most recent titles: two shooters, an action game, and a racer.

Chicken Blaster

Tech-Gaming readers may know that I enjoy an uncomplicated light-gun game. From House of the Dead: Overkill to Remington Great American Bird Hunt, blasting waves of on-screen foes can be cathartic fun. Unfortunately, Chicken Blaster is one of the least gratifying shooters I’ve ever played. Dissatisfaction stems from the game’s antagonists- groups of chickens that flutter around the screen. As soon as players shoot one, another fowl takes its place within seconds, negating any sense of progress. This constant onslaught of poultry makes Chicken Blaster’s stages seem unrelenting, and will quickly tire a gamer’s trigger finger.

Each of the game’s eight stages is woefully similar- players are requiring to shoot a specified number of chickens before they can progress to the next area. The birds’ chief offensive measure is the sporadic egg thrown toward the screen, which players must eliminate. Although a handful of power-ups- from grenades to Uzis, attempt to relieve the monotony, they appear too infrequently. A Quest and Survival mode offer little variety from the title’s tedium. I’d recommend players avoid Chicken Blaster; it’s a disappointingly, half-baked title.

Ultimate Duck Hunting

Although, I expected Ultimate Duck Hunting to evoke the charm and simplicity of the similarity titled NES classic, the title is wholly different diversion. Players start the game training their canine companion to retrieve newspapers, in preparation for the game’s campaign- a complex hunting simulation. Once a hunting destination is picked, player lay decoys, and begin luring in their birds with two different duck calls.

With a bit of perseverance several targets may approach the player, who can use three types of shotguns to drop the birds. Using a variety of unwieldy gestured Wiimote commands, gamers guide the dog to gather the ducks. Without time, ammo or specific goals, Ultimate Duck Hunting seems somewhat directionless.  Still, I could see this game garnering enjoyment from hunting aficionados.

Pacific Liberator

Back in the 90’s, I was an avid fan of the Desert Strike and Thunderstrike series. Both franchises allowed players to control a helicopter equipped with a death-dealing arsenal, obliterating antagonists to scrap metal. Clearly, Pacific Liberator draws inspiration from these celebrated titles, the exhilaration of wanton of destruction is evident in the game’s tutorial.

Sadly, as players grind through the game’s 18 mission campaign, Liberator grows progressively less interesting. The fluid framerate presented in the tutorial drops once enemies litter the screen. The ability to exploit the game’s weak AI quickly becomes apparent.  Players can pepper most opponents with fire as long as a reasonable distance is maintained. Although Pacific Liberator has some flaws, the title also shows a hint of promise. I wouldn’t mind seeing an enhanced and expanded sequel.

Monster Trucks Mayhem    

On the essential problems with most monster truck title is that they feel too much like ordinary racers. Take Monster 4×4: World Circuit, which made racing the diesel-drinking behemoths about as thrilling as taking an economy car for a grocery run. Fortunately, Monster Trucks Mayhem elevates the hyperbole of the vehicles, as players race through gargantuan sewers, and across high-rose rooftops.

With a control scheme similar to Mario Kart Wii, players hold the Wiimote sidewise as their steer their trucks though an alternating set of races and variety of challenges. Each of the game’s unlockable vehicles handles similarly, with a proper amount of bounce to convey the trucks enormous tires.  While the game’s framerate isn’t faultless, it is typically solid during moments of environmental destruction. Of all of Zoo’s recent titles, Monster Trucks Mayhem is the leader of the pack.