Zanac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zanac | |
|---|---|
Box art of Zanac for the NES |
|
| Developer(s) | Compile |
| Publisher(s) | Pony Inc. |
| Designer(s) | Masamitsu "Moo" Niitani (designer) "Janus" Teramoto (designer, graphics) "Jemini" Hirono (designer, programmer) Wao Isee (tester) |
| Platform(s) | MSX, Famicom Disk System, NES, MSX2, Virtual Console |
| Release date | JP 1986 NA October 1987 |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone |
| Input methods | Joystick |
Zanac is an arcade-style shoot 'em up video game designed by Compile and published in Japan by Pony Inc. in 1986 and in North America by FCI in 1987. Zanac was released for the MSX computer in Japan in 1986 and later ported and reworked shortly thereafter for the MSX2 computer, the Famicom Disk System, and for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Zanac, a vertical scrolling shooter, features a lone starfighter, dubbed the AFX-6502 Zanac, in a quest to destroy the System - a part-organic, part-mechanical entity bent on destroying Mankind. The Zanac must accomplish its quest by flying through ten areas destroying the System's defenses before venturing into the final two areas and destroying the System itself. This game is known mostly for its unique artificial intelligence, in which the difficulty of the game depends on the player's specific actions. Just as in other popular shoot 'em up games such as Gradius and R-Type, Zanac features unique and extensive power-up systems as well as potentially large quantities of enemies and enemy projectiles on the screen at any given time.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
The gameplay in Zanac is similar to other vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up games. The player controls the AFX-6502 Zanac as it flies through various planets, space stations, and outer space and through an armada of enemies which comprise of the defenses of the main antagonist - the "System." The goal is to simply fight through twelve stages (areas) and to destroy the System.[1]
The objective is to shoot down enemies and projectiles to accumulate points which lead to extra lives. The player loses a life by getting hit by an enemy or any projectile; gameplay continues with the player losing all accumulated power-ups. The player starts with three lives, and the game ends when the player either loses all of his/her lives or beats the twelfth and final stage.[2] However, Zanac also has a continue option to allow the player to continue the game with three lives at the same level (up to Area 10) in which the player has lost all his/her lives.
[edit] Weapons
The player operates a rapid-fire main cannon, which can be upgraded by collecting power-ups found in blue boxes.[3] As the main cannon's power level increases by collecting these power-ups, the number of bullets fired from the ship as well as their speed increases.
The player also operates a specialty weapon, which is also rapid-fire and operated by pressing a separate button or key. There are eight different specialty weapons, conveniently numbered from zero to seven.[4] The player can change the type of specialty weapon by collecting a power-up that has a number on it which designates the type of weapon. The eight specialty weapons range from directional bullets to shields to indestructible projectiles.
[edit] Enemies
The player will encounter many enemies which comprise of the System's defenses. If the player hits or gets hit by any enemy or enemy projectile, the player loses a life and all power-ups. However, the player is invincible for a moment when the ship reappears on the screen or collects any power-up.[5] Enemies include meteors, various bullet-shooting enemy aircraft, bullet-resistant disks, ground turrets, and reconnaissance planes.[6]
The bosses in Zanac consist of stationary fortresses consisting entirely of ground turrets.[7] The player must destroy all these turrets within a specified time limit to score bonus points. Every stage has one or more of these types of bosses. In addition, large enemy ships, from time to time, also appear as "mini-bosses."[8] These ships are more resistant to the player's weaponry; all bullets slightly damage and then bounce off the mini-boss. These mini-bosses change color as it becomes more damaged.
[edit] Artificial Intelligence
The distinguishing aspect of Zanac's gameplay is its unique enemy artificial intelligence (AI). The System's aggressiveness and AI, as well as the game's difficulty, depends on the actions of the player. For instance, shooting the main cannon frequently, collecting power-ups, and failing to destroy bosses within the specified time limit makes the System more aggressive, resulting in more and harder enemies appearing on screen. However, actions such as losing lives, starting a new level, or destroying reconnaissance planes decrease the System's aggressiveness, resulting in fewer on-screen enemies.[9]
[edit] Plot
The plot of Zanac revolves around the "System" - a device similar figuratively to Pandora's box. The System was created millennia ago by an unknown alien race. It contains boundless wisdom and knowledge, but also vast destructive potential. If properly opened it would grant access to untold wisdom and technology, but if improperly accessed it would unleash almost unlimited destruction. Mankind attempted to access the System and failed, causing the System spread throughout space and to exert mass destruction on all forms of life, including the human race. Mankind then discovered how to properly access the knowledge and technology within the System, but could not shut its destructive expansion down because of its vast tactical systems.
Moreover, the defenses of the System are designed around destroying and overcoming entire fleets. Mankind hopes that a lone starfighter may be able to slip through and penetrate the defenses of the System, allowing such a ship to fight its way into the heart of the System and destroy it. The AFX-6502 Zanac, the most advanced starfighter ever produced, is launched on a desperate mission to fight its way to the heart of the System and shut it down.[10]
[edit] Development
Zanac was initially released in 1986 by the Japanese company Compile for the MSX computer.[11] It was designed by Masamitsu "Moo" Niitani, the eventual creator of the classic Puyo Puyo series.[12] It was then ported and heavily reworked for release on the Famicom Disk System in Japan on November 28, 1986, and then in North America for the NES in October 1987.[13] This version was then reworked further, recolored, and released for the MSX2 system as Zanac Ex.
A compilation entitled Zanac X Zanac was released for Sony's PlayStation in Japan on November 29, 2001, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the original. The compilation included several versions of the original as well as an original sequel titled Zanac Neo developed specifically for the PlayStation. Zanac Neo featured two player co-operative gameplay as well as modernized graphics.[14] There has been no North American/European release of this, nor is there a stand-alone version of Zanac Neo.
The NES version was later re-released for Wii's Virtual Console service on December 3, 2007 and published by D4 Enterprise.
[edit] Reception
Zanac has been lauded by various reviewers for its difficulty level, its ability to handle many, many sprites on the screen without slowdown or other glitches, and its unique AI, which placed this game in a sub-genre of its own.[15] However, Zanac is one of only very few games that feature such a distinct AI.[16] Criticism include mediocre and primitive music and sound, a steep learning curve in gameplay, and, most notably, presence of Engrish in the game itself and in the game's instruction manual.[17]
[edit] See also
- Aleste (MSX)
- Guardic (MSX)
- The Guardian Legend/Guardic Gaiden (NES/Famicom)
- Gun-nac (NES)
- Blazing Lazers (TurboGrafx-16)
[edit] Notes
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 3.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 3.
- ^ Instruction Manual, pp. 10-11.
- ^ Instruction Manual, pp. 5-6.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 3.
- ^ Instruction Manual, pp. 7-9.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 10.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 10.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 4.
- ^ Instruction Manual, p. 1.
- ^ Zanac (MSX) at GenerationMSX (2008-01-26). Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Moo" Niitani Bio. MobyGames. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
- ^ Zanac (NES). Nintendo (2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
- ^ Zanac X Zanac description. MobyGames. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
- ^ (McFerran 2007)
- ^ (Thomas 2007)
- ^ (Thomas 2007)
[edit] References
- Zanac Instruction Manual, FCI, 1986, pp. 16, NES-ZA-USA, <http://www.lampefamily.us/jonathan/Gaming_Nintendo8_Zanac_Manual.php>. Retrieved on 8 June 2008
- McFerran, Damien (2007-12-03). Zanac (Virtual Console) Review. VC Reviews. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- Thomas, Lucas M. (2007-12-07). Zanac Review: Ask Your Doctor if Prescription Zanac is Right for You. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.

