Closer Look Directory

Closer Looks are one of the main components of the Worlds of ZZT project. The Closer Look category of articles consists primarily of (re)visiting ZZT worlds and looking at them from a contemporary perspective, attempting to give both a complete playthrough of them while also pointing out noteworthy design decisions.

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Nov 14, 2024 Aug 15, 2016
TitleAuthorDateCategoryDescription
Dr. Dos
Nov 14, 2024
Closer Look
Fight terrifying creatures in great detail, solve unique puzzles, and discover the unnatural blight that stopped an army, assuming you can past that awful door! A dungeon crawler with high highs and low lows.
Dr. Dos
Oct 28, 2024
Closer Look
Sail to a DEADLY ISLAND under siege by CRUEL PIRATES. Explore its CURSED JUNGLE and fight the EVIL DJINN. ...Actually this game is chill af
Dr. Dos
Oct 14, 2024
Closer Look
Vacation plans ruined after the golden pitchfork has been stolen and farmer MacDonald's loan is due! An adventure that hasn't figured out what that means yet.
Dr. Dos
Sep 14, 2024
Closer Look
The literal grind mind set as small children become Cargo Boys, trading wares between cities for profit. Tons to see and do, but is it enough to not actually feel like work?
Dr. Dos
Aug 28, 2024
Closer Look
When a robotics corporation decides conquer the Earth, only the most unappealing dude can save humanity
Dr. Dos
Aug 14, 2024
Closer Look
Jumping into the middle of a lengthy series to figure out what its deal is. A bilingual game with Biforce pieces.
Dr. Dos
Jul 14, 2024
Closer Look
A weird adventure with some weird requirements for play, a lot of bugs, and a bit of charm to make it worthwhile
Dr. Dos
Jun 28, 2024
Closer Look
A good take on deliberately bad games that's accurately bad but secretly good? Not bad!
Dr. Dos
Jun 14, 2024
Closer Look
A farewell to Da Hood, in the most abrupt way possible.
Dr. Dos
May 14, 2024
Closer Look
A MegaZeux community themed ZZT game that flipflips between decent and purposely bad. I'd expect nothing less from a hot igmo. (nmiaow)
Dr. Dos
Apr 28, 2024
Closer Look
Digging through dusty archives to find the best tools to remove locks on ZZT worlds
Dr. Dos
Apr 14, 2024
Closer Look
Following Code Red's example, Matt Williams tries and arguably succeeds at creating a worthy successor
Dr. Dos
Mar 28, 2024
Closer Look
Expecting zany humor with nothing to back it up, only to find a fantastic collection full of laughs and a brilliant RPG system
Dr. Dos
Feb 28, 2024
Closer Look
A series of surreal vignettes that helped redefine what ZZT worlds can be
Dr. Dos
Jan 28, 2024
Closer Look
No memories, imprisoned, and really admiring the architecture before you commit regicide in clysm's first ZZT release: Crunchy
Dr. Dos
Jan 14, 2024
Closer Look
An Indiana Jones fan game and a first release that gets quite a bit right. Can Dr. Jones discover the secret of the underground city?
Dr. Dos
Dec 14, 2023
Closer Look
With humanity in the future on the brink of extinction only one man can find the meaning of life and still have time to see Terminator 2
Dr. Dos
Nov 28, 2023
Closer Look
Developing one universal standard to cover everyone's use cases. But it's religion so it doesn't go so well.
Dr. Dos
Nov 14, 2023
Closer Look
An incredible game that I couldn't put down. Shame about the vampire invasion in France though.
Dr. Dos
Oct 28, 2023
Closer Look
The grand finale of an iconic turn of the century series reminds us that the past is the past.
Dr. Dos
Oct 14, 2023
Closer Look
In the final Gem Hunter game things are shaken up that are best not shaken.
Dr. Dos
Sep 14, 2023
Closer Look
Two-headed snakes, giant insect, aliens, and more in this highly artistic sequel
Dr. Dos
Aug 28, 2023
Closer Look
Snorb builds on the basics to successfully dungeon-ify ZZT's bestiary in this recent Weave title
Dr. Dos
Aug 14, 2023
Closer Look
A ZZTers first release shows some promise, but bugs keep holding it back
Dr. Dos
Jul 28, 2023
Closer Look
It's Man Vs. Nature, and despite the game's best efforts, it's hard not to root for nature in this confused game with some neat art
Dr. Dos
Jul 14, 2023
Closer Look
Trent Carwell? He better, if he wants to survive 24 tracks in this fast and clever arcade racer set in the far future!
Dr. Dos
Jun 30, 2023
Closer Look
Venturing through a portal with a new threat, new engines, and finally listening to some excellent music
Dr. Dos
Jun 20, 2023
Closer Look
A Game of the Month winner that never got its formal review. I think I know why...
Dr. Dos
Jun 10, 2023
Closer Look
ZZT gets its first turn based strategy game... in 1996?! Turns out there's a reason this one wasn't so Earth-shattering
Dr. Dos
May 31, 2023
Closer Look
The people of Zandia have nothing to lose but their chains. A fast and fun adventure with some quality puzzles too!
Dr. Dos
May 15, 2023
Closer Look
Another Interactive Cinema that manages to nail the interactive and the cinema!
Dr. Dos
Apr 20, 2023
Closer Look
Part-silly, part-serious, all-around okay. An of its time dungeon crawler struggles with the modern world
Dr. Dos
Apr 12, 2023
Closer Look
Prepare to die! From illegal genetic experiments created in Twilight City.
Dr. Dos
Mar 31, 2023
Closer Look
How to make friends and influence kingdoms as we finish Adventure's redemption arc
Dr. Dos
Mar 20, 2023
Closer Look
The sequel to the player-hating original reveals the author to have improved considerably ...in some ways at least
Dr. Dos
Mar 10, 2023
Closer Look
Taking one of the worst balanced ZZT games and turning it around significantly. Somehow.
Dr. Dos
Feb 28, 2023
Closer Look
No ammo. No torches. No health. No gems. What does this game have? Misery.
Dr. Dos
Feb 20, 2023
Closer Look
What sounds like an action game reveals itself to be a game of caution and suspense, until the tension is quickly diffused
Dr. Dos
Jan 31, 2023
Closer Look
Nearly 20 years later, dave2 returns to give us the underwater adventure to prevent ecological diaster we've been waiting for (the game that is, not the ecological disaster)
Dr. Dos
Jan 20, 2023
Closer Look
Putting action above text, but forgetting to make the action captivating. Plus, some less than stellar characters! The first in a series that finds its success eventually that gets a big oof today
Dr. Dos
Jan 10, 2023
Closer Look
Interesting ideas that don't get a chance to shine. Can an interesting glimpse of a story save this game from obscurity?
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2022
Closer Look
To save her vampire boyfriend from demon hunters Jami must fight unbeliveable creatures such as demons, werewolves, and witches. But what's really unbelievable is that the RPG engine is actually good.
Dr. Dos
Dec 20, 2022
Closer Look
An early action game that struggles with variety. No cows, just a one-trick pony.
Dr. Dos
Nov 20, 2022
Closer Look
Dial in to the Genesis Matrix! We've got Yahtzee we've got viruses we've got friends and family
Dr. Dos
Nov 10, 2022
Closer Look
A so-so action/RPG hybrid that isn't sure if it wants to be gritty or silly
Dr. Dos
Oct 31, 2022
Closer Look
Gus Turnell's isekai adventure
Dr. Dos
Oct 20, 2022
Closer Look
Overview With The Vampire: An incredible game with incredible baggage
Dr. Dos
Oct 10, 2022
Closer Look
Aliens, Air Pirates, and Arena combat. Just another typical day for a member of the Air Guard.
Dr. Dos
Sep 20, 2022
Closer Look
A ZZT world inspired by Wolfenstein 3D that raised the bar for what a ZZT action title could be
Dr. Dos
Sep 10, 2022
Closer Look
Lost Pyramid? More like: Lost Classic! Ha ha gottem.
Dr. Dos
Aug 20, 2022
Closer Look
Pet peeves turn a few helpful suggestions into a lot of advice best taken with a grain of salt
Dr. Dos
Jul 31, 2022
Closer Look
Plans for an open-ended barbarian adventure get smashed to pieces by bugs and general incompleteness
Dr. Dos
Jun 20, 2022
Closer Look
A world that sticks to what the authors have seen until they realize they can do anything they like!
Dr. Dos
May 31, 2022
Closer Look
A mixture of beautiful animations, tough action, innovative code, and one bad mushroom combine to create an excellent action/adventure!
Dr. Dos
May 10, 2022
Closer Look
More cruel puzzles, more accidental soft-locks, and the world's worst shooting gallery!
Dr. Dos
Apr 30, 2022
Closer Look
A potential lost classic that decides to destroy your spirit instead
Dr. Dos
Apr 20, 2022
Closer Look
Looking at the work of the heavy hitters of the Town Remix project
Dr. Dos
Mar 31, 2022
Closer Look
ZZT's 30th birthday present: a remake of Town from 14 authors
Dr. Dos
Mar 20, 2022
Closer Look
Are two half-baked sci-fi shooters are better than one?
Dr. Dos
Feb 28, 2022
Closer Look
Pay homage to Sierra's adventures in this early Interactive Fantasies adventure with lots of charm mired by awful RPG battles
Dr. Dos
Feb 20, 2022
Closer Look
Some of ZZT's most talented form a group project. Disaster ensues.
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2021
Closer Look
Oktrollberfest origins bubble their way to the surface of this fowl puzzle game
Dr. Dos
Dec 10, 2021
Closer Look
Turns out the secret to a good ZZT platformer is to make a cat swear.
Dr. Dos
Nov 20, 2021
Closer Look
Lions And Tigers And Mayors! Oh My!
Dr. Dos
Oct 31, 2021
Closer Look
If at first you don't succeed, die, die, again in this incredibly challenging yet satisfying adventure
Dr. Dos
Sep 15, 2021
Closer Look
An early ZZT adventure starring Jersey Jake that's an artifact of its time and belongs on the Museum.
Dr. Dos
Aug 31, 2021
Closer Look
ZZT fantasy adventures are a dime a dozen, but great writing, humor, and puzzles make Warlock Domain top dollar
Dr. Dos
Aug 10, 2021
Closer Look
Creative boss fights and a non-linear urban exploration put this sequel ahead, but the flaws remain unfixed. Agh.
Dr. Dos
Jul 31, 2021
Closer Look
An improvement over the original, but also not.
Dr. Dos
Jul 10, 2021
Closer Look
After restoring a corrupt world to playability for the first time in decades we can now say this game ain't great.
Dr. Dos
Jun 30, 2021
Closer Look
Treasure, fortresses, and really big palm trees. Overflow continues to impress throughout its back half
Dr. Dos
Jun 10, 2021
Closer Look
Beautiful background art meets classic ZZT action in this massive Chrono Trigger inspired adventure to save time itself!
Dr. Dos
May 15, 2021
Closer Look
Star Wench vs the Queen of Space! A colorful, detailed, and brief adventure created as a Kickstarter stretch goal!
Dr. Dos
Apr 30, 2021
Closer Look
The funniest prank of all: Falsified data! Still, only a fool would overlook this classically-styled adventure
Dr. Dos
Apr 15, 2021
Closer Look
Deal with mazes and monsters in this far out game
Dr. Dos
Mar 31, 2021
Closer Look
Race the clock across 20 courses in this ZZT game that defies expectations... until it starts to crash and burn at least.
Dr. Dos
Mar 15, 2021
Closer Look
Recover the stolen nukes! Step one: Visit the water park
Dr. Dos
Mar 01, 2021
Closer Look
Good? Bad? Ugly? Brandonia is a divisive ZZT world and winner of a Featured Game award.
Dr. Dos
Jan 31, 2021
Closer Look
Growing Up takes a serious look about life as a teenager dealing with an alcoholic parent. Take a look at this short and emotional story.
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2020
Closer Look
Stalagtite platforming in a ZZT game? An engine that's rock solid copes with design that puts a few cracks in this spelunking adventure
Dr. Dos
Oct 31, 2020
Closer Look
More than 100 boards long and you can't even play it! Nadir's collection of ZZT tool kits focuses on one of ZZT's most distinct features
Dr. Dos
Oct 15, 2020
Closer Look
What starts as an average ZZT action game quickly turns into a below-average ZZT action game. Sigh.
Dr. Dos
Jul 31, 2020
Closer Look
Yiepipipi? Oeu. Oryan? Oeu. Esklello? Oeu!
Dr. Dos
Jul 15, 2020
Closer Look
The long drawn out conclusion and a lot of PSAs about drinking and driving
Dr. Dos
Jun 30, 2020
Closer Look
An alien abudction of the family dog turns into a fight for mankind's survival. Three kids on a heartwarming quest to save the Earth
Dr. Dos
Jun 15, 2020
Closer Look
Exploring several demos for games that were never finished
Dr. Dos
Jun 01, 2020
Closer Look
What should be a generic edgy TaleSpin parody turns out to be a well-written game you can't help but love
Dr. Dos
Apr 30, 2020
Closer Look
Good ideas and bad execution result in a fun yet flawed adventure in this self-described "comedy-rpg"
Dr. Dos
Mar 31, 2020
Closer Look
CIA Agent BILL vs. Dr. D in this unintentionally hilarious spy "thriller"
Dr. Dos
Feb 15, 2020
Closer Look
All cop-outs are bastards as we explore Police Quest plus five other extremely short worlds of dubious quality
Dr. Dos
Jan 31, 2020
Closer Look
Venture into the idle mind in this very much ahead of its time atmospheric puzzle world
Dr. Dos
Jan 15, 2020
Closer Look
♬ Fix us a wire you're the Compound man ♬ Fix us a wire tonight ♬ Well man's destined to die from catastrophe ♬ While aliens watch in the night ♬
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2019
Closer Look
Hunting down giant slimes, hidden gems, and programming bugs to save Puerto del Agua
Dr. Dos
Dec 15, 2019
Closer Look
Save the dreamworld from reality in this everything but the kitchen sink RPG bursting with ideas and great art
Dr. Dos
Nov 30, 2019
Closer Look
Xamboxumbadira is the powerhouse of the cell.
Dr. Dos
Nov 15, 2019
Closer Look
Stop and admire the scenery on your quest for vigilante justice
Dr. Dos
Oct 31, 2019
Closer Look
A secret biological weapon has been set loose and only... the jerk who was well aware of it can save the day
Dr. Dos
Sep 30, 2019
Closer Look
EAT. THE. FLOWERS.
Dr. Dos
Sep 17, 2019
Closer Look
Thyer's first ever ZZT world: The story of a witch's anxiety and her sacrificial princess
Dr. Dos
Aug 31, 2019
Closer Look
An experimental "magazine" for ZZTers to make anything they want
Dr. Dos
Aug 19, 2019
Closer Look
Search for a flamingo and find mediocrity and cameos instead
Dr. Dos
Jul 31, 2019
Closer Look
Over 9000 reasons this game is awful
Dr. Dos
Jul 15, 2019
Closer Look
In Part 2, Koopo finds his unique vision for his game by introducing a jetpack
Dr. Dos
Jul 02, 2019
Closer Look
Oh No! More Lemmings Clones!
Dr. Dos
Jun 16, 2019
Closer Look
Better than the Best of ZZT, Janson shows a traditional key collecting game done almost right
Dr. Dos
May 30, 2019
Closer Look
Six arrows. More than enough to kill anything that moves.
Dr. Dos
May 15, 2019
Closer Look
The cliff has killed another! Find the saboteur before they strike again
Dr. Dos
Apr 20, 2019
Closer Look
And it's whispered that soon, If we all call the tune, then Da Warren will lead us to reason
Dr. Dos
Mar 27, 2019
Closer Look
Good humor, great music, poor design, and the giant robot battle is optional?
Dr. Dos
Feb 28, 2019
Closer Look
The first of far too many in a long running series by a notable and divisive ZZTer
Dr. Dos
Jan 31, 2019
Closer Look
Tired: "Press F to Pay Respects" Wired: "Press δ to Act Like a Snake"
Dr. Dos
Jan 27, 2019
Closer Look
Nadir's zenith, Preservation Through Piracy, a nearly unreleased gem capturing ZZT at its peak
Dr. Dos
Dec 30, 2018
Closer Look
I'm in this huge empty room with yellow walls... No matter where I go... those same horrible yellow walls...
Dr. Dos
Dec 18, 2018
Closer Look
A rejected ZZTer returns with dated comedy and some fascinating self-insert protagonists
Dr. Dos
Dec 01, 2018
Closer Look
Randomly generated ZZT action in this endless-feeling runner
Dr. Dos
Oct 30, 2018
Closer Look
A unique take on FF2US/FF4J where the programmer doesn't know how #end works.
Newt, John D. Moore
Oct 21, 2018
Closer Look
Newt revisits his iconic ZZT horror game and explains just what the heck is going on
Dr. Dos
Sep 21, 2018
Closer Look
Commit war crimes in the name of the king in this early fantasy that stands the test of time
Dr. Dos
Aug 28, 2018
Closer Look
The Town of ZZT has lost is colors. Who took them and why?
Dr. Dos
Aug 19, 2018
Closer Look
There's no places like ZZT homes. There's no places like ZZT homes. There's no places like ZZT homes.
Dr. Dos
Jul 30, 2018
Closer Look
Expert programming crams a collectible card game into ZZT!
Dr. Dos
Jul 22, 2018
Closer Look
"Life's real tough, ain't it?" - the unloved and forgotten original ZZT world
Dr. Dos
Jun 10, 2018
Closer Look
Prepare for trouble, and make it double with this typical example of converting Pokemon to ZZT
Dr. Dos
May 23, 2018
Closer Look
Guinea Pig Fact: A game being adorable can't make up for unresponsive controls
Dr. Dos
May 14, 2018
Closer Look
Overclocking ZZT to turn it into a viable medium for a fast paced action game
Dr. Dos
Apr 29, 2018
Closer Look
Commodore takes his first step on the journey of becoming one of ZZT's best in this 2003 post-apocalyptic adventure
Dr. Dos
Apr 23, 2018
Closer Look
War!! W-War is breaking out fast!
Dr. Dos
Feb 17, 2018
Closer Look
"Goldeneye hardly redfines the genre. The graphics are excellent except for the blocky human figures."
Dr. Dos
Feb 09, 2018
Closer Look
Structured nonsense, and lots of cheese based random humor. <s>YES</s>
DavidN, Dr. Dos
Jan 30, 2018
Closer Look
A pre-recording playthrough of the ZZT world "The Mercenary" by DavidN (2002), with the game's author providing guest commentary!
Dr. Dos
Jan 23, 2018
Closer Look
Collect 31 gems hidden across an island in this remake of Tseng's original entry in his iconic series
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2017
Closer Look
4's scores were better years ago.
Dr. Dos
Dec 11, 2017
Closer Look
That belongs in a museum
Celine Kalante
Dec 06, 2017
Closer Look
The Museum's first guest post! Taking a look at a previously unpublished first game and its many flaws.
Dr. Dos
Nov 30, 2017
Closer Look
Town of ZZT but reimagined to be about the author's friend circle.
Dr. Dos
Nov 20, 2017
Closer Look
One of ZZT's finest - A detailed fantasy adventure through the kingdom of Bespin. (Oh, and the password is BARNEY)
Dr. Dos
Oct 31, 2017
Closer Look
Set sail on the DIEtanic in this second washed up half of NextGame 33
Dr. Dos
Oct 25, 2017
Closer Look
Covering 50% of this 33% complete game where 0% of the jokes land
Dr. Dos
Oct 20, 2017
Closer Look
All Teen Cops Are Bastards. A lot of content warnings in this overshadowed and oh-so-edgy adventure
Dr. Dos
Sep 25, 2017
Closer Look
Defend Castle Sin from intruders both good and evil to keep an ancient portal sealed and secure
Dr. Dos
Sep 15, 2017
Closer Look
A magical mystery tour of an odd cross between Star Wars and the Beatles
Dr. Dos
Sep 04, 2017
Closer Look
A back to school special looking at what's considered the worst ever ZZT game
Dr. Dos
Aug 31, 2017
Closer Look
Quest for the mythical flower of light to cure your father's blindness
Dr. Dos
Aug 18, 2017
Closer Look
An eggselent conversion of Codemaster's 1989 puzzle platformer
Dr. Dos
Jun 24, 2017
Closer Look
The winner of the first ever 24 Hours of ZZT contest
Dr. Dos
Jun 19, 2017
Closer Look
Trust me and we will escape from the City
Dr. Dos
May 29, 2017
Closer Look
ZZT has no random number generator, but it does have lions. Exploring how a complex RPG engine works
Dr. Dos
May 24, 2017
Closer Look
Psychic twins reclaim the sun in this impressively coded and impressively grindy RPG dungeon crawler!
Dr. Dos
Apr 30, 2017
Closer Look
D.A.R.E. to dream as Freddy the ferret trips out on his search for the perfect drug
Dr. Dos
Apr 15, 2017
Closer Look
A Super ZZT inspired MegaZeux world exploring memory and being forgotten.
Dr. Dos
Apr 10, 2017
Closer Look
ZIG combines ZZT's simplicity, MegaZeux's power, and Super ZZT's lack of interest from the community. Exploring ZIG and all its releases!
Dr. Dos
Mar 21, 2017
Closer Look
You're trying to say you like DOS better than me, right?
Dr. Dos
Mar 12, 2017
Closer Look
So much promise. So little ammo.
Dr. Dos
Feb 25, 2017
Closer Look
Rancid meatloaf and cans of V8.
Dr. Dos
Jan 23, 2017
Closer Look
MEEEEOOOOOOWWWWW (You microwaved a cat)
Dr. Dos
Jan 09, 2017
Closer Look
ZZT's best looking game is also it's furriest.
Dr. Dos
Dec 31, 2016
Closer Look
Hello, mortal. I am the Sandman. And you are my prisoner.
Dr. Dos
Dec 19, 2016
Closer Look
I [Dr. Dos] made a bad game when I was 10 and I made it worse when I was 13.
Dr. Dos
Dec 10, 2016
Closer Look
"I've checked your bacground in the space marine database. you have an impressive record."
Dr. Dos
Nov 27, 2016
Closer Look
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a game, I should really just relax"
Dr. Dos
Nov 20, 2016
Closer Look
Part human, part machine, all weird.
Dr. Dos
Nov 13, 2016
Closer Look
This game is slightly confusing!
Dr. Dos
Oct 29, 2016
Closer Look
One cat's journey to find their missing owner... or food
Dr. Dos
Oct 23, 2016
Closer Look
Travel from island to island in search of Alex and Daisy in this charming and colorful adventure.
Dr. Dos
Oct 08, 2016
Closer Look
HEY, MOM, THE BED RAN AWAY AGAIN, you shout. -- It's Merbotia, a short and humorous adventure by Sonic256!
Dr. Dos
Sep 28, 2016
Closer Look
A surreal adventure game about escaping from a dimension where gods observe the curious and watch their attempts to escape.
Dr. Dos
Sep 11, 2016
Closer Look
Coke machines, urban warlocks, and a hero with a baseball bat ready to brave NYC's subway system.
Dr. Dos
Aug 24, 2016
Closer Look
Newt's Lemmings inspired "ZZT games to pass time"
Dr. Dos
Aug 15, 2016
Closer Look
ZZT's third official world, and how it compares to Town of ZZT.
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Nov 14, 2024 Aug 15, 2016