Comix Zone

Comix Zone is a beat 'em up game developed and published by Sega in 1995 for the Genesis/Mega Drive.

The star of the entry is Sketch Turner, a cartoonist. The writer is working on a new project called "The Comix Zone." One night, Mortus, the main villain of comics, manages to escape to the real world and lock Sketch in his comic book. Trapped inside the cartoon, the protagonist must try to escape. In the meantime, the villain, in the outside world, draws enemies that will attack the hero.

The game works like any classic beat 'em up. The main character must advance through stages full of mutants. Once they are defeated, the hero leaves the scenario and advances to the next one, where more rivals are waiting for him. Each level consists of two pages, and to advance between them, Sketch must use his fists, jumps, and kicks to clear each horde of mutants. The main character has an inventory with three slots, where he keeps items that will help him continue his adventure. For example, he can use knives and bombs, which are necessary to clear obstacles. Besides, he can become Super Sketch, which, in one massive blow, damages everything in the cartoon.

What makes the title really memorable is the graphics. Each stage in which the hero advances is bounded by frames. This is a very creative idea: the player cannot go ahead until the room is clear of enemies. Even though it is located in a dystopian environment, Comix Zone gives up part of its characteristic colors. While retaining several oranges and warm colors, this atmosphere is mixed with an aura of Vaporwave Aesthetics that gives the cartoon an eighties vibe.

Like the graphics, the game's music is also a mix between the dystopian and the Vaporwave genre. With a post-apocalyptic musicalization mixed with an electro - that at times borders on chillwave - this musical chimera works perfectly. The sound effects are reminiscent of those used in the arcades for fighting games. The accentuation of the impact of the fist and the shouts of the characters only generate melancholy in the player.

The game reviews were generally positive, highlighting the graphics and sound but warning that the gameplay is not out of the ordinary without this. In conclusion, if you are a fan of beat 'em up games, innovative graphics, or want to have a good time punching mutants, Comix Zone is one of the best discoveries you could have made.