Weekend of Zeux 2001 Judging Sheets:Es

------------------
Game ID - #25944
Judge   - Esdemo1

Graphics - 2/5
They weren't necessarily horrible; the menu screen was more or less nicely 
done...but the arena graphics were pretty much incomprehensible, and those 
green-on-white textboxes? Ouch.

GamePlay - 2/15
I died within two seconds of entering the arena, each time I played. Maybe 
I'm just bad at this, but I know that I didn't have very much fun...

Creativity - 9/10
The concept was pretty novel, especially for something as short as a WEoZ 
game (but the execution could have been better.)

Presentation - 2/15
No sound, run-together instructions, and a text-only status screen. Not only 
that, but it took me more time than it should have to figure out that the 
running speed was 1 (read: no written instruction for speed setting.) Ech.

Completeness - 5/5
The game seems to WORK fine...despite the fact that I couldn't get anywhere.

Overall score- 18/50

Comments
Eh.

------------------
Game ID - #82896
Judge   - Esdemo1

Graphics - 5/5
I found the overall graphics in this game to be quite good; the player and 
enemy animations, most notably, were excellent.

GamePlay - 14/15
A very, very nice take on side-scrolling action...it took me a little while 
to learn to use the gun, but otherwise, the gameplay is incredibly 
enjoyable. Invading the alien base was a blast! And that second mission...I 
somehow get the feeling that the author just had me in mind when he designed 
it. =D It looks to be one of the first MZX games in a long time that I plan 
to play all the way through, just for fun.

Creativity - 8/10
The action was a bit standard (run, shoot, jump) but still very fun. The 
plot behind the game is fresh and interesting, however. Yet, by the second 
mission or so, the game surprised me as the dark, X-Files-ish storyline 
takes a turn into the realm of the goofy...But am I complaining? Nope...I 
thought it was funny, myself.

Presentation - 13/15
Music was nice (aieee, what WAS that tune in the first level? It's 
so...familiar!) The opening cinema was gripping, especially in the second 
and third sections. Nice effect...but I've gotta mark off a couple points 
for lack of gameplay instructions. =|

Completeness - 2/5
The first mission was somewhat buggy...also, I had some problems with 
returning to the mission after a Game Over. However, it seemed to hold 
itself together nicely after that.

Overall score- 42/50

Comments
WEoZ entry or not, this is definitely going on my list of favorites.

------------------
Game ID - #55975
Judge   - Esdemo1

Graphics - 4/5
An interesting contrast...Excellent texturing on the blocks/walls/etc, but 
the smileys were a little inane. Still, the nice backgrounds made it easy on 
the eyes.

GamePlay - 12/15
Took me a second to get the hang of it (what is with the lack of gameplay 
instructions in these entries, hmm?) but once I did, I had a ball blowing up 
the little frowny faces - though I can anticipate it getting a bit 
predictable. Mouse-driven engine is a bit irritating to work with, but it's 
efficient and adds a new twist to the action genre, so I'll overlook it. 
Continuity of the levels was a definite plus (getting to bust through the 
glass into level 2 at the end of level 1...how fun is that? =D)

Creativity - 5/10
Caverns-style action's a mite stale, but the mouse-driven shooting added an 
interesting angle to attack the genre from. Plot was pretty silly. Evil Bad 
Guy Man taking over the USA, and only Mr. President can stop him, with his 
big shiny .45 magnum! GOOOOOOOOO GEORGE W. BUSH#&%*#@&%#@%&@*#&%@

Presentation - 10/15
The introductory screen impressed me, with the option of starting from 
different levels; music was okay...sound effects were a bit loud, and 
occasionally irritating. And snipers that scream "WOO-HOO!!" when they've 
sighted their target...? O_o

Completeness - 2/5
I only found one bug, but it was a fatal one - sniper popping out of the 
shadows overwrote the player. Whoops.

Overall score- 33/50

Comments
Fun game, and pretty-looking, but a little irritating at times.