Comix Zone |ROM-DOWNLOAD

Comix Zone is a one-of-a-kind beat-em-up action game by Sega Technical Institute for the Sega Genesis. The game puts the player inside a living comic book, where the panels, drawings, enemies and environments become part of the gameplay. The main character is Sketch Turner, a comic book artist who is trapped in the pages of his comic by his own creation. Sketch is an artist trying to make ends meet, living with his pet rat, Roadkill. In a violent storm of lightning, one of Sketch's comic-book bad guys, Mortus, is brought to life in a mysterious way. Mottus takes the comic for himself and throws Sketch into the world he has created. The strange situation turns Sketch’s own artwork into a perilous domain and he must fight his way through the pages to survive. After Sketch is trapped inside the comic, Mortus starts drawing enemies into the world. Sketch has to jump from panel to panel fighting the creatures that appear in front of him while looking for a way out. The comic itself is almost like a physical maze with different routes, environmental puzzles and alternate paths. Eventually Sketch meets a character from his comic, General Alissa Cyan. Alissa is an important character in the story and can help Sketch on his journey. The link between Sketch, Alissa and Mortus gives the adventure a reason for being beyond simply beating waves of enemies. Sketch’s pet rat, Roadkill, is also very helpful. The little rat can be sent into some areas to find hidden objects, and to help Sketch find secrets that are tough to get to otherwise. This takes Roadkill from being just a background character and gives the players another tool to solve parts of the comic world. The story is told in comic-book episodes and pages with Sketch literally walking through the panels of his own artwork. The presentation constantly reminds the player that the character is in a comic book. Enemies can seem to get sucked into the page and objects and attacks can interact with the edges of panels. Sketch’s goal is to survive the comic world and face up to the Mortus. Along the way, players encounter strange creatures, mechanical hazards, puzzles, and formidable enemies. The game also has alternative routes, so players are sometimes able to choose different directions through a section instead of taking the same path every time. What defines the game is the comic-book setting. The developers didn’t just make the comic art decorative they built the whole adventure around the idea that Sketch is literally trapped inside a comic book. This concept influences the story, the level design, the combat and even the way the player moves between regions.

Comix Zone is a 2D side-scrolling beat 'em up game with platforming and puzzle elements. GameFAQs lists it under Action > Beat-'Em-Up > 2D. MobyGames lists its perspective as side view with 2D scrolling and arcade style beat-'em-up gameplay. It's a solo game. You control Sketch Turner, as he navigates the pages of his comic book. The combat consists of punching, kicking, jumping and special combos. Sketch can attack enemies directly, or use objects and items found throughout the environment. The fighting is more interactive than your average beat-’em-up, as comic panels can become part of the action. Sketch can smash enemies into pieces of the environment, interact with objects, and use special techniques to hurt multiple enemies. Players may also use items stored in Sketch’s inventory. According to the original Genesis manual, you can pick up items and use them as you play, and the controller has several different functions for fighting and interacting. The game has objects such as bombs, knives and other useful things. Some items can be used directly against enemies, others help to solve environmental puzzles or open a path to another panel. One of the more interesting features is the ability to rip through the comic-book page. This is shown as a special attack that can affect enemies and the surrounding panel. It turns the comic-book notion of the game into a real gameplay mechanic, not merely an art theme. Sketch can also grab on to ledges and pipes. The manual explains in Genesis that the player has the ability to jump and hang from specific handholds, move while hanging and carry out attacks while hanging. This adds a platforming feel to some sections, along with the game's main beat-'em-up combat. The levels include switches, crates, bridges, pipes and other interactive objects. Sometimes the player has to place objects in specific spots or flip switches to proceed. The Genesis screenshot gallery on MobyGames shows specific areas dealing with switches, boxes, branching pathways, sewers and interactive environments. Another important aspect is the selection of route. Sketch is given some options for different directions in some sections. The choice of a particular route can change the enemies and situations you will later encounter, giving the short adventure some replay value. The visual presentation is one of the game’s strongest aspects. The backgrounds and characters resemble hand-drawn comic book art, complete with panel borders, speech bubbles, and dramatic action poses. The Genesis screenshot gallery features the comic-book layout used in the game’s environments.

Start the game and control Sketch Turner as he enters the world of the comic. Your main goal is to progress through each comic panel, kill off enemies, solve simple environmental puzzles and make your way toward the eventual showdown with Mortus. Use the D-pad to explore the environment with Sketch. You can walk different directions, crouch, approach objects and position for attacks. Controls are based on the original Genesis controller. Punch and kick and attack when enemies come near to defend yourself. Sketch can attack in different ways by combining directional movement and the Action button. Jumping is also important, as some enemies and environmental hazards must be avoided rather than attacked directly.<br/><br/> Sketch is able to jump and grab some pipes, ledges and handholds. While hanging, you can move left or right along the surface and attack as necessary. This can help with reaching places that can not be reached from the ground. Check each panel for items that can be picked up or moved. See the original manual for instructions on collecting objects by moving Sketch over them and pressing down on the D-pad. Standing next to objects and pressing left or right can also shove objects. Switches and crates are particularly important in puzzle sections. If a path appears blocked, look around for an object that can be moved or a switch that can activate a mechanism. Use your inventory wisely. Items can be picked up and used for combat or exploration. Inventory space is limited, so players should consider when an item would be of best use rather than using everything they find immediately. Roadkill can also be a place to find lost things. When the game allows you to use the rat, send Roadkill into suitable areas and see what he finds. Keep an eye on Sketch's health as the enemies can do a lot of damage. Comix Zone is difficult so it is important to learn the enemy patterns and environment. Sometimes you’ll have to take the paths that are there. Different paths can lead to different encounters and situations, so exploring alternate routes can reveal more of the comic world. Work through the episodes until you get to the final confrontation. Your objective is to get away from the comic and defeat the threat that Mortus has created.

D-Pad: Move Sketch / Crouch / Directional Attacks A: Action / Use Item B: Jump C: Select Inventory Item / Custom Move with 6-Button Controller X: Use Left Inventory Item Y: Use Middle Inventory Item Z: Use Right Inventory Item Start: Start Game / Pause