Zeno Clash (2009) ENG

Published by: ACE Team
Developed by: ACE Team
Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: April 21, 2009


Zeno Clash is a fighting game mixed with first person shooter elements. The gameplay has a strong focus on melee fighting that blends with ranged combat using unconventional weapons. In an interview the developers have said the game is "like Dark Messiah meets Double Dragon", citing that they have drawn a lot of inspiration from fighting games including versus screens sliding in before combat is initiated.

The game is set in the world of Zenozoik, where the player visits extreme and exotic places. In addition to the single-player story, Challenge Mode allows the player to defeat enemies while climbing a tower. The results are ranked through Steam Friends every time the player beats a tower floor's final boss.

The story takes place in a fictional world called Zenozoik, and begins in a large town called Halstedom. The game commences with Ghat (the game's protagonist) regaining consciousness after setting off an explosion which kills Father-Mother, a hermaphrodite creature which has raised a large and influential family. Ghat is one of Father-Mother's children, who has turned on her for unknown reasons. He is run out of town by his brothers and sisters seeking to kill him, and is banished from his family. He is accompanied by a female companion named Deadra.

During their travels away from Halstedom, Ghat explains through partially interactive flashbacks the events that led up to his attempt on Father-Mother's life. One of the first things that is mentioned is that he lived for a time with the Corwid of the Free, the insane residents of the forests of Zenozoïk. While he has turned away from his past life as a Corwid, his brothers and sisters still consider him as one. Ghat still harbours a sense of admiration for the single-mindedness of Corwids. Regardless, when he encounters them a fight ensues.

Later on Deadra and Ghat reach a large desert area. When Ghat returns from hunting rabbit-like creatures, he discovers a blind mercenary known only as Hunter, pointing a rifle at Deadra's head while she sleeps. The Hunter reveals that he was sent after them by Ghat's family, and was instructed to kill both him and Deadra. Ghat pleads for her life, and the Hunter agrees to let her live if Ghat will come to a secluded area with him to fight. After a lengthy struggle Ghat manages to defeat the Hunter and then leaves with Deadra.

Ghat and Deadra eventually reach the end of the world. It is there that they meet Golem, an ancient being sent by an unknown group of people to wait there until he was needed. Golem appears to be omniscient, and has a complete knowledge of Ghat and Father-Mother's conflict, which he says he will end, along with all other conflicts.

Upon Ghat's return to the city, he is confronted by his angry brothers and sisters once more. After this confrontation, a heavily wounded Father-Mother reveals herself, showing that she is still alive. She declares another fight with Ghat to end the strife once and for all. A ferocious battle ensues, in which Ghat defeats Father-Mother once more. With Father-Mother at his mercy, he decides neither to kill her, nor reveal his secret. However, Golem does not share that merciful perspective. Golem reveals Father-Mother's secret to all of those who believe to be her children. He states that Father-Mother is a male creature, which steals children and raises them as his own. After Golem reveals the secret, he gives some closing words, and the game ends.

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