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Zeno Clash

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.6 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 40 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 126 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: ACE Team

Developer: ACE Team

Genre(s): Action, Fighting

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: April 21, 2009

Summary

Zeno Clash is an action/fighting game set in a punk fantasy world. The game is played from a first person perspective and the combat is generally up close and brutal. Experience a deep storyline set in a fantastic world. Play the role of Ghat, a man banished by his own brothers and forced to begin a desperate journey past the forbidden desert and to the end of the world. [Steam]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

AceGamez

Zeno Clash is a sterling example of how to make a game. Graphics, sound and gameplay merge perfectly to make this more of an experience than just a game.

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HellBored

Zeno Clash is what a future cult favourite looks like. With a wickedly brutal melee engine, and some jaw-dropping visual design, this gorgeously demented indie brawler is short but sweet.

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FiringSquad

Zeno Clash is a welcome game from the veteran mod team of ACE. We honestly can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish in the future, especially with their focus on creativity in design and game play.

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Cheat Code Central

A combination of exciting, refreshing gameplay and the incredibly outlandish setting and characters really make Zeno Clash a standout game.

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GamerNode

A game with solid enough gameplay carried to a higher level by its aesthetic appeal and novel world design, this is a great game for people looking for true originality in gaming.

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Multiplayer.it

Zeno Clash is an atypical budget game, it's absolutely a good game with beautiful visuals and above all is very amusing to play. His close quarter combat system is so well devised that makes you scream I want more! after the game over screen.

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MEGamers

The game treads on unfamiliar territory yet is fun. ACE Team bring us some more exploration, maybe some puzzles and varied challenges with more achievements in the sequel. Check it out!

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PC Gamer

A completely welcome contrast to anything you've ever played, supported by the most intense first-person fisticuffs we've seen in a game. [July 2009, p.78]

IGN

Zeno Clash sticks with you long after you play it, and that's a compliment many games aspire to have associated with them.

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Computer Games Online RO

Overall, I smell Hexen, I’m sniffing Undying and there’s a distinctive scent of The Time Machine, with the one note that Zeno Clash is very, very far away from the potential it could reach.

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Eurogamer

A fantastically involving and solid fighting game, enhanced by being set in one of the most imaginative and beautiful universes in the medium.

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Boomtown

Not since Escape from Butcher Bay have I see melee combat so superbly integrated into a first-person game, and so it's clear that ACE Team has put their heart and soul into bringing Zeno Clash to life.

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Giant Bomb

If you're a fan of first-person action and truly offbeat, unpredictable games, head to your nearest Steam client and check this one out. I'd love to see what ACE Team can do with a bigger budget next time around.

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Eurogamer Spain

Zeno Clash is not very long, but it also ain't easy, which makes it perfect to unload some adrenaline without sacrificing a good plot.

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Total PC Gaming

A rare and gripping indy experience that pulls no punches.

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Play Magazine

The bizarre and unique world of Zenozoik separates Zeno Clash from so many other games that some minor faults still make it worth checking out. It doesn’t hurt that the mechanics of combat are excellent and stand out on their own.

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Edge Magazine

This is melee done right, set in an astonishing world, brimming with imagination. [July 2009, p.101]

games(TM)

It might not be the longest or most polished game you'll ever play, but for half the cost of a regular PC release, you'll be treated to more charm, ingenuity and bravery than most full-price releases can muster. [July 2009, p.128]

Gameplayer Sweden

Zeno Clash is not just a fantastic beat 'em up from a first-person perspective, it also delivers one of the most unique and attractive worlds you'll ever experience. The great action, controls and graphical design makes up for the pretty standard story and voice acting. I mean, who doesn't love a hermaphroditic giant man-bird?

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

And now for something completely different... Unique fiction is really distinctive unlike the rest of games production. If you want to try an original action game, Zeno Clash will be your favorite. [May 2009]

AtomicGamer

The game might not be worth the purchase for those that aren't terribly interested in first-person melee combat, but for anyone that's looking for that - or at the very least an imaginative, slightly crazy game world to beat people up in - then this is a fine choice to make.

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PC Games (Germany)

Outstanding visual design, a unique fantasy setting and intense first person combat are reason enough to pick up this exceptional action game. I only wished there was some kind of exploration and puzzle elements to it. And if the short play time of about 5 hours turns you off, think of the fair price - it is a pretty good deal after all.

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PC Zone UK

Other than a rubbish level in which you twat statues on the head with a stick you won't find many more issues. [Aug 2009, p.70]

ImpulseGamer

Simple at the beginning, and darn hair ripping harder near the end. But a odd breath of originality in a predictable land scape of first person games, well worth a go especially for the price of admission.

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PC Format

A bizarre, original and often compelling first-person action adventure - Zeno Clash is worth a crack. [July 2009, p.94]

3DJuegos

Zeno Clash demonstrates why often the most Bizarre projects can only be developed by independent companies. No “major” could ever do something like this, and that’s because we are talking about one of the most suggestive and atypical titles of recent times.

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9Lives

You'll either love it or hate it. If you can let the bizarre world and characters entice you, you will get your money's worth. Its flawed gameplay will annoy most people though. If you're open-minded, you might appreciate this unique experience. Try out the demo and decide for yourself if you want to purchase this decently-priced game.

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GameZone

It's more complicated than it needs to be with the lock-on function of fighting enemies. It is an adventure, it is a fighter, it's a FPS - it is the Shamwow!

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Thunderbolt

Zeno Clash is a marvel, channeling yesterday’s hardcore brawlers whilst maintaining modern sensibilities.

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Everyeye.it

Zeno Clash is not a perfect game, but it has got some qualities that will let you help to download that from Steam or Direct2Drive. It is essentially hybrid, between FPS and Beat'em up. The visual aspect is impressive and the story is well built. The system control is defective and the game is short, so we can't suggest you to buy it blind, but to try the demo and make your choice.

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Game Positive

Despite the initial weirdness and a few flaws, Zeno Clash is a unique take on first-person fighting that anyone with an open mind will likely enjoy.

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Game Over Online

As I walk away from my review and Zeno Clash I’m left with the feeling that as an arcade game (albeit one with vastly superior graphics), something that you would chuck a few quarters at and play for a couple of hours and then not play again for several months, it would have been OK.

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Destructoid

While I would have liked to see a bit more emphasis on the melee combat and less on shooting, I think you’ll still find that most battles give you a bit of a rush and are enjoyable to play, particularly the unique boss battles.

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DarkZero

It’s a pleasant romp through a funky world that might be a touch too exotic for narrow-minded audiences, but the gameplay is entirely accessible. For a fresh world to vent your frustrations and fulfill your violent fantasies in, Zeno Clash is the way to go.

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Gamer.nl

Zeno Clash is a very strange game with a lot of atmosphere. It's hard to describe how the game presents itself; you'll have to see it to understand it. Because of its modest price tag, this is definitely worth checking out for everyone who appreciates an action packed and strange experience or someone who is looking for something original. It's only a shame it's such a short experience.

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GameStar

Zeno Clash offers a really good combat system, good AI and a real innovative design. But instead of seeing more of the world, you're back in the arena after taking a few steps. The story raises more questions than it answers. In the end, it's just a few hours of mandatory boxing.

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GameSpot

Zeno Clash is surreal and relentlessly bizarre, but sheer weirdness takes this first-person brawler only so far.

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Gamers' Temple

It's for people who are looking for a rudimentary exercise in radical thought and hobbled game design. If that's you, then you'll love Zeno Clash.

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Absolute Games

Crazy-looking landscapes, unusual color combinations and grotesque characters fill the odd world of Zenozoic. All this stuff could have made for a cool screen saver. Unfortunately, they crammed it into an action title. The result is a short, sluggish, boring game which loves to show off its novelty instead of entertaining the player.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

A brilliant brawler buried in a mediocre shooter.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 126 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Yervant B gave it a10:
I highly recommend this game. Every second of it was fun and memorable. I beat it in one night, but it was so good i wanted more.. I kept replaying the challenges I unlocked after winning the game, that helped me blow off some of the anxiety I had from wanting more. Yes, the game is odd, and some people like to bash creativity, but i want more of this weird crap. Sequel please.

Dexter D gave it a9:
Something different and refreshing, loved the universe, and the artwork behind the various kinds of characters. The game is bug free, action oriented with some awesome hand to hand combat. I loved it, and yes, I bought it off Steam for just USD $4.99. Well and truly worth every cent.

A D gave it a10:
Amazing game. Nice story, shame it was a bit short but it isn't all about what happens in that. The tower challenges add a few more hours onto your gameplay time. Took me 10 hours to finish the story and the challenges including -1 -2 and -3 challenge levels. I like it how weapons aren't a "need" to "kill" things. Melee combat was pretty awesome for saying it's a source mod. There's some nice combos you can do fighting opponents and it's satasfying to watch the other guy fly off the top of your screen :D. Looking at one of the previous reviews, I was shocked that they said the game had no gameplay or story at all.

Josh R gave it a9:
The only thing stopping this game getting full marks is that i didn't like the ending. the combat was hard, but rewarding, frantic, but fluent and the storyline was entirely compelling. the storytelling was fab, the universe was fascinating, and to top it off i bought it on steam for £4, distracting me from both Borderlands and Mass effect. definitely worth the full asking price.

Dalek gave it a4:
I thought this game would be good, but it's not. It uses the source engine, but I hardly understood the game, it doesn't tell you what year it is, probably cavemen time, and your in some stupid training dream, I wanted to get to the action not get confused in some dream. What I also hate about this game is that it's extremely reppetative. It's just fighting, shoot with your handmade guns, and then, cutscene, loading, cutscene, loading. Over and over.

Jeff S gave it a7:
Not for everybody, but if you are interested in the strange and the bizarre, this game is worth your attention. The surreal universe is reminiscent of Dark Crystal, Mirrormask, Labyrinth, and the like. Characters and plot are relatively weak, but the visuals are stunning. Won't win game of the year, but for 4 hours and $7, it's worth it to enjoy the setting and eye candy.

Zmobs C gave it an8:
Zeno Clash is an Brawler. Many people start playing this game with false preconceptions. First and foremost, the game is an arena-style brawler. It's basically a 3D rendition of games like Double Dragon and Final Fight. As such, the combat is repetitive and the levels are very, very linear. Where this game shines is in it's art. Maybe the engine is the most technologically advanced, but the art direction is superb. Visuals alone, this game is very memorable. The story could have been more fleshed out, and the voice acting is pretty poor, but they aren't the focus of the game. Those that rate it very low seem to have a very skewed view of art or pass of anything different or weird as bad. I hope to see more from this developer.

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