Ukrainian developer Bear Games has revealed Comix Zero, a non-linear action-platformer that takes place within the pages of a comic book, with its fast-paced gameplay taking inspiration from the likes of Super Metroid and Elden Ring.
Now, if the name and premise sound somewhat familiar, it's likely because Bear Games has also leaned heavily on the classic Mega Drive / Genesis title Comix Zone for inspiration. In fact, the studio even goes to far as to christen its new title as a 'comixvania' (excuse us, we feel a bit ill).
Phew. Yeah, not a great way to describe it, but fair enough. You take on the role of Zero as you burst through barriers separating the sequential art, all the while battling bad guys to rid them of their colour. Its overall aesthetic is a homage to the 'dark fantasy' themes popular in the early 2000s, but its gameplay takes a lot of cues from more modern soulslike titles.
It sounds intriguing, to be sure, but we're admittedly not fully sold on the trailer at the moment. It looks okay, but there's something a bit off about the whole thing. Plus, y'know... it's another metroidvania. We'll see how this one shakes out when it eventually launches on the Switch.
In the meantime, let's check out some key features:
● Play on the pages of a comic book
A dazzling array of comics will spring to life right on your screen. Each scene unfolds over several pages, with everything comic fans love: panels, speech bubbles, onomatopoeia (POW! BAM! BANG!), author text, and more…● Non-linear open world
Go where you want - but be careful, because the world is full of dangers. Comix Zero combines elements of metroidvania with a truly open world that's easy to get lost in - so draw yourself a map!● Fights and dying
Being immortal has its advantages, but mastering your skill set is crucial. Comix Zero's combat system is focused on thinking through strategy, evaluating opponents' weaknesses, and combining different types of attacks — you won't be able to blindly poke buttons here…
● Your very own Zero
Customize Zero's abilities and gear to suit your own play style. Drink potions brewed from defeated bosses, craft powerful artifacts, complete quests from NPCs, and earn rewards.● True dark fantasy
A brutal world where ancient myths are intertwined with humanity's insatiable love of war, and where magic is created by human blood on human skin. Each side of the conflict has its own motivations and allies, and you’re right in the middle of the action, caught in the crossfire.● Jokes - to the point and not so much
Comix Zero's narrative is full of multifaceted characters, political intrigue, morally ambiguous choices, and traumatic experiences. Unsure of whether this is all some kind of twisted dream Zero doesn’t hold back with his dubious sense of humor.
What are your thoughts on this one so far? Reckon it looks decent? Do share with a comment down in the usual place.
Comments 15
Wow.
Comix zone was a classic.
I think I'm in.
Interesting, will definitely keep an eye on it to see how it turns out!
Sketch me intrigued by this page Turner
"comixvania' (excuse us, we feel a bit ill)."
Steer clear of eShop, then, it has a literal "Mangavania" game as well.😄 But seriously, this is a definite headturner and hopefully yet another of the plentiful metroidvanias in my Switch backlog down the road.
Offtopic: keyboard-adjacent touchscreen parodies of former apps/home/back buttons have been around for years and I still fail to recognize them as a remotely good idea.😠🙄
This sounds more like a Metroidvania game game with a Comix Zone style to it. The combination sounds good if it works.
Looks nice, I like a game that lets you play a character from within a comic similar to Comix Zone with a Metroidvania twist to it so definitely looking forward to this. The last game to take on this idea was Unbound Saga for the PSP but that one wasn't as good.
Wow, the artwork actually looks really good. I like the premise of Comix Zone, but I've never gotten very far in that game, it's quite difficult.
It dose not even look like a comic style game
Never mind it just dose not ever look like it's been inspired by comix zone it looks more like the new prince of Persia game
so Nope I will just play comix zone in stead
I don’t understand the point of the comic segments though as it just looks like the level spans over the entire page. In Comix Zone each cell was its own self contained area more often than not.
Even with the comic panels it looks like Child of Light to me. Which is great for me - love Child of Light!
Looks decent, but the comic aesthetic involving slashing the frame dividers seem pointless to me, unlike in the Mega Drive game. The mechanic can be removed and the game doesn't seem like it would be affected.
Also, that video thumbnail image gives me feelings that it's AI-generated.
oh boy! cant wait for "comix kiwami" and "like a sega: pirate comix in hawaii"
@calbeau I had the same feeling, I think it's definitely ai generated.
As others have said, the comic-panel thing doesn't really seem to matter here. Also, the comic aesthetic isn't as striking or distinct now, due to digital art and coloring, as it was back in the day when they used the four-color process. That was a case of a limitation that shaped the product and became its signature look. As such, Comix Zone looked more authentic, unique, and inventive in terms of presentation.
I'm hoping that the borders are restrictive and they lean into that for the Metroidvania elements.
I hope that you can't progress "through" them without the right moveset.
Which would be an interesting way to use the comic book aesthetic.
Still, you had me at Metroidvania
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