Zool Redimensioned

The port is also quite nice, but it’s going to be an affront to purists. The modern upgrades change the feel of the game immensely, and while I’d argue it’s for the best, it’s also at the expense of the challenge. It’s a short, breezy experience. A comfortable slice of ‘90s platforming. It’s up to you if that’s what you need right now, but I certainly enjoyed it.

Zool was a classic back in the day, but it didn't endure as much as other genre luminaries. This remaster enhances what was great about the original title while adding some modern elements to sweeten the deal.

Thanks to the hard work of Sumo Digital’s student division, Zool Redimensioned polishes up the original game and introduces several additional extras that bring an excellent platformer back from the dead. For some, Zool Redimensioned might seem like a by-the-numbers platformer but that’s part of what makes it special. In an age when zipping left to right to get to the goal as quickly as possible, Zool made players explore their surroundings and collect a certain number of items to complete the level. Granted, despite each world having their own individual themes, they do feel out of place when examined as a whole but that’s a small point on an otherwise tight platformer.

The Amiga era, which I will always be a fan of, is rich with titles and characters deserving a glorious return, but the ninja of Dimension N isn't one of them due to the forgettable gameplay of his first adventure. Zool Redimensioned, while an interesting port and update, suffers from the uninspiring gameplay of Gremlin's title. Unless you're a die-hard retrogamer, it's hard to recommend this edition, as the improvements fail to effectively address the dated 1992 formula.

Zool Redimensioned is an honest and respectful “nostalgia operation” of the original work. The team at Sumo Digital Academy pays homage to an Amiga-era masterpiece with a work capable of speaking to fans of the original. Not only that, Redimensioned also manages to appeal to today's audiences, allowing them to experience a classic with a modern twist. It is not, however, a title for everyone. The game system is, for obvious reasons, rather outdated, and the difficulty fluctuates quite noticeably between the permissive ease of the updates and the luciferous strictures of the original formula. Despite this, the ticket price is far too tempting not to give the old ninja from “yet another dimension” a chance.

Zool Redimensioned is a smart reinterpretation of a classic platformer, modernised for today’s gamer while still staying authentic, maintaining what made it the game it was. Added party modes, accessibility options, filters, and modes to suit retro enthusiasts, it successfully brings everything you may have loved (or never heard of) in a release that belongs and successfully succeeds in 2023.

Classic 2D action platformer revamped for a new generation

Zool Redimensioned brings back a brand forgotten in time 30 years after its original release, standing out for its still sharp gameplay, an intense graphic style, and some adaptations to modernize the experience. However, some additions that interfere with the game's dynamics and the lack of other necessary adjustments put the game at a disadvantage, especially in comparison with its rivals of yesteryear and with more recent examples of the genre.

Zool Redimensioned is a wonderful remaster of a cult classic, with tight platforming and plenty of colourful doodads to collect.

Zool Redimensioned is a short, but fun and vibrant platformer that has a ton of fun themed levels and enemies. The controls are great and the accessibility options make this title work for any player, no matter your skill level.