The ’90s were a very creative time in gaming. Companies were willing to try new ideas and experiment in ways they haven’t since. One such example is Comix Zone, but how to truly describe the game. Comix Zone is at its core, a beat em up, but there is so much more to it than just that.
Our protagonist is Sketch Turner, an artist sent into his own comic by the villain of the comic, and must fight his way out. The story actually worked in the very nature of the world and that is the real twist to the game right there. Comix Zone is set in a comic book and the enemies and obstacles are being drawn in to attack. You move from panel to panel as you progress further, but the bad guys have control of the comic. They may draw in some enemies to attack or may even try and destroy the page you are on to get rid of you.
The game is one of the toughest beat em ups on the Genesis/Mega Drive, but it has a charm that just keeps you coming back for more. The music was out of this world as it featured an epic rock vibe that nothing else in the 16-bit era matched. When it came to the visuals, the artists who worked on it added the perfect touch to show a comic book world that felt real.
Comix Zone was ahead of its time and it is a game I would love to see Sega try and do again. Maybe let an indie team try their hand like with Streets of Rage 4, or make a deal with an actual comics company to get some licenses to put in a bigger budget game. Whatever the case, this is a classic that should not be forgotten.
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