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, 2023 Dec 20, 2022
articles/2023/walters-quest/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Nov 14, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
An incredible game that I couldn't put down. Shame about the vampire invasion in France though.
articles/2023/gem-hunter-3-part-2/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Oct 28, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
The grand finale of an iconic turn of the century series reminds us that the past is the past.
articles/2023/gem-hunter-3/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Oct 14, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
In the final Gem Hunter game things are shaken up that are best not shaken.
articles/2023/kingdom-of-zandia/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Sep 14, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Two-headed snakes, giant insect, aliens, and more in this highly artistic sequel
articles/2023/snorbs-dungeon-crawl/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Aug 28, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Snorb builds on the basics to successfully dungeon-ify ZZT's bestiary in this recent Weave title
articles/2023/wizards-apprentice/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Aug 14, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
A ZZTers first release shows some promise, but bugs keep holding it back
articles/2023/natures-revenge/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jul 28, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
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
articles/2023/last-momentum/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jul 14, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Trent Carwell? He better, if he wants to survive 24 tracks in this fast and clever arcade racer set in the far future!
articles/2023/voyage-of-four-2/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jun 30, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Venturing through a portal with a new threat, new engines, and finally listening to some excellent music
articles/2023/fabrication/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jun 20, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
A Game of the Month winner that never got its formal review. I think I know why...
articles/2023/planets/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jun 10, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
ZZT gets its first turn based strategy game... in 1996?! Turns out there's a reason this one wasn't so Earth-shattering
articles/2023/castle-of-zandia/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
May 31, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
The people of Zandia have nothing to lose but their chains. A fast and fun adventure with some quality puzzles too!
articles/2023/voyage-of-four/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
May 15, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Another Interactive Cinema that manages to nail the interactive and the cinema!
articles/2023/psyche/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Apr 20, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Part-silly, part-serious, all-around okay. An of its time dungeon crawler struggles with the modern world
articles/2023/dark-soul/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Apr 12, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Prepare to die! From illegal genetic experiments created in Twilight City.
articles/2023/adventure-2b/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Mar 31, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
How to make friends and influence kingdoms as we finish Adventure's redemption arc
articles/2023/adventure-2/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Mar 20, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
The sequel to the player-hating original reveals the author to have improved considerably ...in some ways at least
articles/2023/adventure-1b/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Mar 10, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
Taking one of the worst balanced ZZT games and turning it around significantly. Somehow.
articles/2023/adventure-1/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Feb 28, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
No ammo. No torches. No health. No gems. What does this game have? Misery.
articles/2023/interstellar-police/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Feb 20, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Description
What sounds like an action game reveals itself to be a game of caution and suspense, until the tension is quickly diffused
articles/2023/oil/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jan 31, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
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)
articles/2023/the-kane-project/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jan 20, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
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
articles/2023/mystic-blade/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Jan 10, 2023
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
Interesting ideas that don't get a chance to shine. Can an interesting glimpse of a story save this game from obscurity?
articles/2022/jamis-undercity/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Dec 31, 2022
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
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.
articles/2022/cowhead/preview.png
Author
Dr. Dos
Publish Date
Dec 20, 2022
Category
Closer Look
Associated Files
Description
An early action game that struggles with variety. No cows, just a one-trick pony.
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Nov 14, 2023 Dec 20, 2022