75
Zack Zero is an uncomplicated action-platformer with lots of variation. The game might come across a slightly formulaic, but that doesn't negate all the fun you'll have completing all of the challenges to save your beloved Marlene.
58
Zack Zero stumbles through his adventure to save his beautiful girlfriend. Unfortunately, the game's puzzles are too simple and the story is never compelling. On the other hand, the graphics are incredible and there's a lot of variety to the stage backgrounds. Fans of 16-bit platformers will get a kick out of some of the concepts, but you're better off finding a Sega Genesis on eBay!
80
Good ol' retro-style platformer with the highlights coming through level design and array of wacky enemy-types.
5
Even for the time the game visually fell below par for the type of game it was, some enemies were super frustrating more than anything
1
Just looking at the graphics of the game makes my eyes hurt. Why, oh why everybody thinks that 100% saturation and "special effects" with all colors of a rainbow all over the whole screen is nice? It's horrible.
5
A old school platformer in 3D environment, have to give to the developer, the graphic(background) is pretty nice, and the music is easily the best part of the game. Although clearly no time as dedicated to the story nor the character. The powers come off as bit generic but still fun to use adn have awesome visuals to them The idea of giving depth and multiple layer on the game is brilliant however the execution is somewhat lacking as no clear boundaries are present to indicate extra platforms. Moreover, there are a lot of hidden area that are impossible to find as the only way to find them is by falling and hoping that we fall on platform, which is rare since there's this mechanic that kills and prevent you from extending your jump when you first jump to a platform but a tad bit late. Now this is a problem because the destination platform is actually reachable if the game let you jump for the second time. Button mashing combat although it's okay here since the focus was puzzle and platforming. There are glitches here and there but nothing major, the worst glitch i ever had was suddenly phasing through wooden plank and stuck in the middle, but it happened only once so grosso modo no problem. In the end, Zack Zero provides you with visual and audio delight and gives you good and fun platforming and simple combat if you choose to stick with the main road. But this game is not for you who wants to try to explore(even though it was created to cater those people), all thanks to the broken mechanic placed in the game that kills you even when normally you still could save yourself. Not saying the idea even the execution of this game is bad, it's just some of the design choices are simply confusing as I have explained in the previous paragraph.
Zack Zero
Released On:
Jan 17, 2012
Metascore
Mixed or Average
60
User score
Generally Favorable
7.6
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
33% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
38% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
29% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
Jan 19, 2012
85
One of those "sleeper" games that deserves attention. Zack Zero blends action and exploration in a beautiful world, and offers lots of value.
Jan 19, 2012
80
The platformer that no one has heard about yet but everyone needs to try out. It's a bold project from a fledgling studio, and for the most part it offers a satisfying platformer experience for anyone looking to relive the classic platformer gaming experience.
User score
Generally Favorable
70% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
15% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
15% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Jan 25, 2012
10
The surprise of the beginning of 2012 is this old school platformer with good combat combined with some puzzles to solve to add variety, and plenty of secrets to be found, including a tribute to an old game by one of the developers. It has very good graphics between Ratchet and Clank and Trine and a very good music to round up the package. Despite some flaws that can frustrate at times, it's a totally recommended title
Jan 19, 2012
10
What a surprise! a game totally unknown for me before this week, so I googled it, found few reviews, but really good ones. So I decided to give it a try. And I'm impressed. Colorful graphics, really addictive gameplay (with some metroidvania touches) , easy to play, brilliand level design and very good final bosses. A really good platformer and one of the best downloadable games I have played so far.
Mar 4, 2012
73
A healthy, inoffensive slice of 2D platforming that no developers really bother with these days. Worth picking up if and when it's discounted. [Issue#215, p.85]
Jan 31, 2012
70
But, dying is one of the essential parts of old school gaming. Just like jumping, shooting, breaking boxes, electronic beats, and bosses. And, if that's the kind of platform game you want, that's the kind of platform game Zack Zero is.
Apr 12, 2012
58
Zack Zero stumbles through his adventure to save his beautiful girlfriend. Unfortunately, the game's puzzles are too simple and the story is never compelling. On the other hand, the graphics are incredible and there's a lot of variety to the stage backgrounds. Fans of 16-bit platformers will get a kick out of some of the concepts, but you're better off finding a Sega Genesis on eBay!
Jan 25, 2012
40
Problematic platforming and awkward action add up to crummy adventures for Zack Zero.
Feb 1, 2012
30
Zack Zero feels like it was made by going down a checklist. Lava level? Check. Rudimentary puzzles? Check. Arbitrary baubles and hidden treasures to collect? Check. Boss fights at the end of levels? Check. There's no charm, save for the enemy designs and certain environments, and no sense of identity. The game alternates between being an unexciting, stale, middling affair, and being a somewhat broken game that hits some remarkably low lows. I don't know which is worse.
Jan 19, 2012
10
A very nice title to play, with a colourful scenarios and its length is bigger than other similar games. Excellent quality / price rate. A must for all people like platform genre.
Jan 21, 2012
7
Good graphics and variation. Some bugs like freezing when connected on PSN, endless fall on invisible holes, but it worth play with the classic platform style but with the power changing very well executed.
Feb 21, 2025
5
Even for the time the game visually fell below par for the type of game it was, some enemies were super frustrating more than anything
Apr 30, 2013
1
Just looking at the graphics of the game makes my eyes hurt. Why, oh why everybody thinks that 100% saturation and "special effects" with all colors of a rainbow all over the whole screen is nice? It's horrible.
Feb 1, 2012
0
For Christ's sake I wish people who worked on these games would just STOP! writing bogus user reviews on metacritic.
Four 10's? LMFAO OK I know you're proud and all, but like every preppy parent in Park Slope, Brooklyn, you did NOT just give birth to the greatest thing EVER!! There is absolutely NOTHING in this game that warrants a 10/10. It is cluttered, messy, and a little bit broken. At best it's a 5/10, 6.5 with a patch. But for the sake of balancing out the "pro-trolls"' Zack gets a ZERO.
Ha. Pro- trolls....
SummaryZack Zero takes you on an action-packed platform adventure with incredible 3D graphics and the playability and entertainment of classic 2D games. Help Zack Zero save his beloved Marlene, kidnapped by the evil Zulrog in an effort to obtain the powerful substance that will allow him to travel back in time. [Sony]
Rated Efor Everyone
