The Thanatos Insigia Deluxe Pack is possibly one of the most exciting and entertaining releases of the last 2 years, if not longer, if not ever. This pack is the reason why people use MZX, it embodies everything that makes making a MZX game worth making. I can't say enough good words about it, but I'll try.

--------------TI1--------------
Graphics:
The graphics in this game, while not quite as immersive or as pleasing as some of the graphics in TI2, are just great. Through some well above par enemy graphics, most of all of which are at least 2x1 chars and animations for each one, excellent use of palettes, and a variety of environments, you get the whole experience that is MZX at it's best, graphically speaking at least.

Gameplay:
Both TI games are essentially raw gameplay. There's almost nothing else too it. Normally, this wouldn't work, but this isn't exactly normal. The engine is brilliant, allowing for unique strategy and the need to think about what you're doing lest you get killed. Basically, you have three attacks and your distance to the nearest target (with the autotargeting system) defines which attack you'll be using. Honestly, when I first played the DoZ release of TI, I didn't really care for the mechanic that much, but something happened, either to me or the game and it really doesn't matter which, between the DoZ and the DP release, that makes it work quite well, adding an entire layer to how you play the game which of course keeps you interested through the entire thing. It also features a weapons upgrade system that makes you want to explore the entire area and gain as much power as possible, as well as a "Soul Energy" bar that, when filled, essentially acts as invinco, invincible for a little while while you smash through hoards of enemies. I wish I could say enough about the gameplay, but really, you just have to play it.

Story:
Well, the story (more HELL SYSTEM stuff, of course. Who could write about anything else in MZX?) in this game is oddly removed from the gameplay itself... As in, completely removed, you don't really see what one has to do with the other for quite a while, and really, it still doesn't link very well with the gameplay at all. They seem to just be two completely different entities. However, the story is, in fact, pretty entertaining, I did end up wanting to read everything of it I could, it breaks up the gameplay nicely, and is generally quite well written... Just-- well it just seems like it's barely a part of the game at all.

Overall:
This half of the TIDP would get 5 stars on its own. It's HIGHLY entertaining, you won't want to stop playing it, even when the game's over, you'll still want to play it, and thank god because, hey! there's more:

--------------TI2--------------
Graphics:
When I first played this game, it really caught me off guard how pretty it was. The use of palette's especially... not to mention the execution of going through areas and how it all flows. The first part of this game starts you in a forest, and nice looking. It goes on to put you in what seems to be a canyon, which, while not as pretty as the first stage, is quite good looking as well and certainly works to put you in the place you're supposed to be... Like I keep saying, you have to play this game anyway, so I might as well not dwell on too many descriptions.

The Enemies for this segment are, while many are seemingly copies from TI1, just as well done and in most cases, better done than the enemies in TI1. As the player (which is also a welcome change from the sort of choppy animation of the original DoZ release) is 2x2 in this game, many of the enemies are quite a bit larger. However, this has the added effect of cramping the player into a smaller place on the screen, but I ended up not minding this at all. The Boss graphics, mostly just the final three bosses, are all quite nicely done. The three others are just a little bit "meh" in comparison, but still very well done.

Gameplay:
Oh holy god the gameplay in this game in superb. SUPERB. Its frantic and an endlessly engaging onslaught of enemies makes every millisecond count and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. If it were any other game, I'd say it were exhausting... You know what, it IS exhausting! But that is possibly the best thing about this game, it wears you down and forces decisions and quick thinking, and because of that, it's endlessly entertaining.

In this game, unlike TI1, you get what I guess you could call "experience" for upgrades as you go along killing things. Once you fill the EXP bar, you get a choice of upgrades. That's right, you customize your player to your liking, and there is no right way. Every way is right. I went with Regeneration, Damage Protection, and the Flay glyph a few times, and then I went a completely different route the next. You make this game pander to you, and that's why it's great. On the note of glyphs, you basically by extra attacks and actions with your exp, and engage them with a press of a key, which seems like it might get cumbersome, but in the end, I was only using two glyphs, which is apparently all you need... if any... or you could use something like 6 glyphs! It's up to you! You do what you want! This game ROCKS.

Story:
Again, following in the theme of TI1, the story is oddly disjointed from the actual gameplay, the dialog seems almost utterly unimportant and more than a little nonsensical, but with the addition of the continuation of the HELL SYSTEM story from the previous game, it comes together to break up the flow of gameplay quite nicely, which is what the DoZ release was really missing when you compare it to TI1.

Overall:
This game too would get 5 stars all on it's own. It is WILDLY entertaining and the first time I played it the only thing I could think to say was "astonishing."

These games are great. You will enjoy them. You pretty much have no choice but to enjoy them. Have fun and, of course,

*****FIVE STARS*****