Zillion is a space adventure platform video game designed for the Sega Master System as a companion for the Zillion anime series in 1987. The game is a free-scrolling platform/adventure, similar to Epyx's Impossible Mission, in which objects must be inspected to enable things by accessing codes.
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Feels like a Metroidvania with an Impossible Mission aesthetic and puzzle concept, but doesn't really excel at the platforming or shooting.
I watched the Anime this game is based off of to prepare for this game. All 31 episodes. It was a decent time but I was more excited to play this game as it’s a fan favorite among Master System owners. While the game’s plot and events don’t really follow an episode of the Anime, it’s a good game for the system.
You start off with JJ as you must explode the Nozha’s base by putting a special disk in there along with a code. You need to find Apple and Champ too as they have been captured. The whole base is a maze that will have you finding many passwords to put 4 digits into to activate doors and elevators. It’s RNG which symbols it’ll be and changes every time you enter the room if you haven’t finished the room. Because my memory sucks, I tried writing down each one I did and eventually made a key to make it easier. Many rooms have enemies or traps for you to deal with. You can do codes to remove traps for the cost of a disk so don’t overdo it, only do once you feel you need to do it for especially if it’s mandatory to avoid damage.
The level design is fairly good throughout the entire game with my only gripe being that the game’s difficulty was at the highest in the 2nd area with the final area being pretty bearable due to just being at the max level. The enemy variety could be better though but this was probably unavoidable due to the source material. There is one boss at the very end of the game and is even topped off with a stressful escape sequence that makes you replay the whole game again if you fail to make it in time. I do love though that if you run out of time in the outside area, you’ll still live and play unique victory music as you get back to the ship. I also like how the game has a convenient way to heal at the ship and one to start at the area you’re in. Despite the repetitive gameplay at times, it can be pretty fun and addicting.
That said, it’s got some notable issues. Jumping over mines is painful. You have to be perfect with your timing and it’s even worse if you have an improved jump. Thankfully leveling your gun to max can get rid of them easily. Jumping is also a bit weird as it has a half second of wind up which can make jumping at times a bit weird. You also have a really high jump once you improve it. Crouching also never feels perfect which can be a little annoying. I also never liked when the game forced me to take hits by laser walls, just feels like a health check. You also only start with one continue and you only ever have one continue everytime you start a new area. If you liked the Anime, you might be disappointed that it won’t have much appeal to fans. I was a little disappointed Baron Ricks was only on the game over screen and ending.
The game graphically looks nice, good uses of colors and the sprites for the main characters are good along with the images of the characters though Baron Ricks could look better. I adore the screen when it starts where JJ shoots the screen as it turns red. God it’s sooo cool! The music is also nice but there isn’t much of it and sadly this was before FM audio was a thing so you get none of that here. The sound effects are fine too but I swear they sometimes sound weird but maybe it’s an emulation issue.
Zillion was a pleasant game to play through, I enjoyed my time with it. It’s got issues and I can see why some have looked down on this game a bit more over the years but I personally found the gameplay pretty engaging and interesting throughout. It’s at least worth trying and you don’t really need to watch the Anime to get good context on this game. It’s kind of a shame the game has very little coverage here as it’s a pretty neat title for a system I still don't know much about still. Would gladly replay and even own it. I also wish Backloggd didn’t use the US cover like good god who even approved that back in the 80s!?
You start off with JJ as you must explode the Nozha’s base by putting a special disk in there along with a code. You need to find Apple and Champ too as they have been captured. The whole base is a maze that will have you finding many passwords to put 4 digits into to activate doors and elevators. It’s RNG which symbols it’ll be and changes every time you enter the room if you haven’t finished the room. Because my memory sucks, I tried writing down each one I did and eventually made a key to make it easier. Many rooms have enemies or traps for you to deal with. You can do codes to remove traps for the cost of a disk so don’t overdo it, only do once you feel you need to do it for especially if it’s mandatory to avoid damage.
The level design is fairly good throughout the entire game with my only gripe being that the game’s difficulty was at the highest in the 2nd area with the final area being pretty bearable due to just being at the max level. The enemy variety could be better though but this was probably unavoidable due to the source material. There is one boss at the very end of the game and is even topped off with a stressful escape sequence that makes you replay the whole game again if you fail to make it in time. I do love though that if you run out of time in the outside area, you’ll still live and play unique victory music as you get back to the ship. I also like how the game has a convenient way to heal at the ship and one to start at the area you’re in. Despite the repetitive gameplay at times, it can be pretty fun and addicting.
That said, it’s got some notable issues. Jumping over mines is painful. You have to be perfect with your timing and it’s even worse if you have an improved jump. Thankfully leveling your gun to max can get rid of them easily. Jumping is also a bit weird as it has a half second of wind up which can make jumping at times a bit weird. You also have a really high jump once you improve it. Crouching also never feels perfect which can be a little annoying. I also never liked when the game forced me to take hits by laser walls, just feels like a health check. You also only start with one continue and you only ever have one continue everytime you start a new area. If you liked the Anime, you might be disappointed that it won’t have much appeal to fans. I was a little disappointed Baron Ricks was only on the game over screen and ending.
The game graphically looks nice, good uses of colors and the sprites for the main characters are good along with the images of the characters though Baron Ricks could look better. I adore the screen when it starts where JJ shoots the screen as it turns red. God it’s sooo cool! The music is also nice but there isn’t much of it and sadly this was before FM audio was a thing so you get none of that here. The sound effects are fine too but I swear they sometimes sound weird but maybe it’s an emulation issue.
Zillion was a pleasant game to play through, I enjoyed my time with it. It’s got issues and I can see why some have looked down on this game a bit more over the years but I personally found the gameplay pretty engaging and interesting throughout. It’s at least worth trying and you don’t really need to watch the Anime to get good context on this game. It’s kind of a shame the game has very little coverage here as it’s a pretty neat title for a system I still don't know much about still. Would gladly replay and even own it. I also wish Backloggd didn’t use the US cover like good god who even approved that back in the 80s!?