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Zeno Clash 2

Not quite so original the second time around, Zeno Clash 2 hits hard with ideas, swings and misses on execution.
Zeno Clash 2 Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
81% User Score Based on 860 reviews
Critic Score 59%Based on 5 reviews

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Zeno Clash 2 Game Cover

About

Zeno Clash 2 is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game. It was developed by ACE Team and was released on April 30, 2013. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Ghat's story is far from over: Zeno Clash 2 picks up where the deliciously brazen first game left off. After 4 years of waiting, the sequel to the surreal first-person brawler brings more variety in combat and levels, and even more bizarre storytelling into the beguiling world of Zenozoik. Join forces with your former foe Rimat and battle against scores of angry denizens, preventing their dastardl…

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Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
Zeno Clash 2 screenshot
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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 860 reviews
story136 positive mentions
stability19 negative mentions
  • Unique and surreal art direction that creates a visually stunning world.
  • Expanded combat system with more combos and the introduction of allies adds depth to gameplay.
  • Engaging story that builds on the original, providing answers to lingering questions.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, making it frustrating during chaotic battles.
  • Open-world elements feel underdeveloped and can lead to aimless wandering.
  • Voice acting and dialogue quality are inconsistent, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story
    459 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Zeno Clash 2" continues directly from its predecessor, delving deeper into the surreal world of Zenozoik and expanding on its bizarre characters and themes. While some players appreciate the unique and abstract storytelling, others find it convoluted and difficult to follow, especially without prior knowledge of the first game. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mix of intriguing concepts and frustrating execution, with a blend of emotional depth and absurdity that may not resonate with all players.

    • “The story picks up right after the original, continuing the bizarre journey of Ghat and his family in a surreal world that feels like exploring someone's imagination.”
    • “Zeno Clash 2 takes place directly after the first game, continuing the story with all the characters from the original, and in my opinion, it offers one of the most outrageously weird and utterly awesome narratives out there.”
    • “The story delves deeper into the world of Zenozoik, introducing new characters and plot twists, creating an unforgettable experience that blends action, exploration, and surreal storytelling.”
    • “The story is completely nonsensical, and after a while, I just started skipping all the cutscenes because it became painfully obvious that no amount of cutscenes would clarify what the hell is happening in the game.”
    • “The story is very strange, but that's not a bad thing.”
    • “The story is decent but isn't presented as well as it should be, and that is a shame because the story touches upon some interesting themes that should be explored further.”
  • gameplay
    218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Zeno Clash II has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the expanded combat mechanics and RPG elements, while others criticize it for being repetitive and clunky. The shift to a more open-world structure allows for exploration, but many feel it detracts from the overall experience, making it feel longer and less engaging than its predecessor. Overall, while the game offers unique mechanics and a vibrant world, the execution of its gameplay leaves much to be desired, often overshadowed by its artistic and narrative strengths.

    • “The developers expanded the combat system this time, giving you better timing, blocking mechanics, and some light RPG-style progression.”
    • “The gameplay is functional and actually very fun (especially in co-op) - once you get used to it you might find yourself spending some time in the arena mode just for the fun of it, but mostly it is a vehicle to explore and experience one of the most astoundingly exciting and original worlds ever realized in a video game.”
    • “A big improvement over the first game in terms of gameplay, Zeno Clash II continues the story of Zeno Clash while expanding upon the universe in which it takes place.”
    • “After playing the first one a long time ago, I was looking forward to experiencing more of this world, but the gameplay is just... why?”
    • “As far as I managed to play it, there seemed to be no guidance, no explanations; the gameplay felt unintuitive and clunky. The narrative gave me the impression that it was written by someone high on something that didn't go quite right - his imagination kept going and going, but his ability to write things down didn't quite keep up, so the result feels like there are gaps in logic.”
    • “The gameplay is still boring, limited, and frustrating.”
  • graphics
    136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Zeno Clash 2 are often praised for their unique and surreal art style, which has been enhanced by the transition to the Unreal Engine, resulting in visually striking environments and character designs. While many reviewers appreciate the game's vibrant aesthetics and the bizarre, imaginative world it creates, some note that the graphics can feel dated or suffer from technical issues, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are a standout feature, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “The graphics are a total game-changer; it feels like the world transformed from a doodle on a napkin to a masterpiece on a grand canvas.”
    • “The art style and world designs are of course as good as they have ever been, with loads of awesome and crazy characters, beautifully bizarre maps and areas, and set pieces that'll have you staring in disbelief.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic, although perhaps too much so - I had to turn down my resolution by a lot before it started to work without any lag.”
    • “My only complaints are the graphics and level design have suffered quite a lot.”
    • “Playing 8 years after release, literally to the day for this review, even after a few hours in game, it never really grabs you; the graphics are bad for 2013, and the gameplay is exceptionally average.”
    • “Not so good gameplay and the graphics are horrendous.”
  • music
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, featuring a blend of tribal rhythms and ambient tones that complement the surreal visuals. While many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, some note issues with repetitiveness and audio mixing that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the music is considered immersive and fitting for the game's unique world, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “The character designs are unforgettable, and the music mixes tribal rhythms with ambient tones that perfectly match the surreal vibe.”
    • “The music is quite interesting as well, alien just like the world, with hints of tribal sounds, and orchestral melodies that accompany the breathtaking landscapes.”
    • “The soundtrack is top notch; with different tunes for each area, including day and night tracks, and combat music.”
    • “The controls are okay, the music and voice acting are bad.”
    • “Regarding sound, while generally the sound in ZC2 is perfectly acceptable, I found the music to be distracting and repetitive at times. When you're exploring areas, music just constantly plays, entire compositions just play and it's not that the music is bad, it's just used improperly.”
    • “The best part, however, is the grating, percussive music that instantly wears out its welcome.”
  • atmosphere
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting soundtrack, immersive worldbuilding, and unique art style, creating a deeply engaging experience that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and philosophical reflections through its dense environments and character designs. While some note that certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall atmosphere, the consensus is that the game's ambiance and storytelling are its standout features, making it a memorable title.

    • “The worldbuilding is still great and so is the atmosphere and music.”
    • “I was fascinated by the dreamy and surreal atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is very bizarre and outlandish, but also quite strong.”
    • “The atmosphere, the characters, and the art from the first game still existed; however, the clunky fighting system and the 'allied system' worked against it.”
    • “Okay, the combat system was clunky in the first part as well; however, the allied system somewhat drew me out of the game, as it kills the convincing atmosphere.”
    • “Normally adding open-world elements to a game is a good thing, but in this case, they don't reinforce the atmosphere and end up being unnecessary baggage that the game would have been better off without.”
  • stability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in co-op mode, where issues like player movement and camera control are prevalent. Many reviewers noted that these problems detract from the overall experience, making the game feel unplayable at times, especially compared to its predecessor. While some players found charm in the quirks, the consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements to its stability and performance.

    • “Not as good as the first game, but still a unique experience and runs great on modern systems.”
    • “The game is unplayable in co-op mode, due to the countless glitches that make the game actually unplayable.”
    • “I hardly scratched the surface and buggy, glitchy graphics meant I had to restart the game twice.”
    • “Of course, developers tried hard, they made a wonderful world, beautiful and big, but at the same time the amount of bugs and glitches is too damn high.”
  • character development
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is marked by striking and unforgettable designs that contribute to a surreal atmosphere, with a mix of compelling and bizarre elements. While the character designs and environments are praised for their creativity and uniqueness, some reviews note issues with voice acting and gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. The narrative is engaging but can be confusing, suggesting that players may need to invest time to fully appreciate the story alongside the visually captivating character designs.

    • “The character designs are unforgettable, and the music mixes tribal rhythms with ambient tones that perfectly match the surreal vibe.”
    • “This is the most enthralling aspect of Zeno Clash as it allows for the creative character design, imaginative environments, and thought-provoking dialogue to be a major focus.”
    • “Once again, the character design, dream-like environments, and captivating story make it a truly beautiful and enthralling experience.”
    • “Voice acting is bad; it sounds like they got random people off the street who are bored to be alive. Character design is just bad; the player character looks like a scraggly old rag, and NPCs look like an unimaginative combination of creatures from other games. Controls are pretty bad, cannot jump, and the heavy attacks feel really slow and delayed. You can just spam run and quick attack; it's not very engaging at all.”
    • “The addition of the companion system is neat, but I find its reliance on a stat of its own (when you already have so many primary stats to invest in) means you're going to miss a lot of the story unless you intentionally hamper your own character development.”
    • “The character designs range from hilarious to downright creepy.”
  • humor
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity and creativity, featuring bizarre character designs, funny enemies, and comical scenarios that elicit genuine laughter. Players enjoy the mix of ridiculous elements, from mutated creatures to quirky plants, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience, especially in cooperative play. Overall, the game's humor stands out as a significant highlight, making it both engaging and memorable.

    • “Stone hands sticking out of the ground, sculptures with abnormal proportions, mutated characters, ridiculous plants, funny animals... everything around you is just from another world.”
    • “I think I rarely laughed that much and especially in co-op this game is so funny and entertaining for hours.”
    • “This game is hilarious and pretty fun.”
  • optimization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report solid performance with impressive lighting and shadows, others experience significant frame drops and lag, even on high-end systems. Overall, it is considered an outdated port that struggles with modern hardware, leading to a less than optimal gaming experience.

    • “Performance: 6 - though it uses some great shadows and lighting, the game suffers from heavy frame drops in some areas.”
    • “+ no performance problems”
    • “Performance-wise, it’s solid, though not flawless — you might notice some rough edges and dated animations.”
    • “Yeah, I know it's an old game from the era when having a 2-core Intel CPU with proper performance boost was a thing, like 2007 or so, but still.”
    • “The shit I waste my money on, even if you have a high-end gaming PC, this game is so poorly optimized it lags like crazy.”
  • emotional
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its fascinating and surreal story, which deeply invests players and evokes strong feelings, particularly for those familiar with the first installment. Reviewers appreciate the heartfelt narrative and the sense of empowerment it provides, while also recognizing the impressive effort of a small development team that rivals larger titles. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a unique and emotionally resonant experience.

    • “Fascinating story with surreal and emotional undertones.”
    • “There's more story and things make more sense (without making too much sense, of course it is Zeno Clash), but I found myself really emotionally invested.”
    • “The story is deep and heartfelt.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with long and drawn-out combat sequences that detract from the overall experience. While some note that facing larger enemies is less tedious than before, the lack of engaging mechanics and poor voice acting contribute to a sense of monotony, leading to concerns about the game's design. Overall, many recommend the game only for its unique quirks, rather than for enjoyable gameplay.

    • “The fighting is so long and drawn out that it becomes tedious and boring.”
    • “I would only recommend it just to experience the weirdness of it; otherwise, it's quite tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The game might get more interesting at some point, but if it forces players to endure tedious gameplay for hours to actually get more skills or have some fun, then it's a sign of bad game design.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the engaging story and level-up system that encourages multiple playthroughs, others feel that the lack of additional content and a relatively short playtime limit its replay value. Cooperative play enhances the experience, but some users still find it lacking in depth for extended replayability.

    • “Replayability 10/10: the story for the game is very easily replayable with its level-up system of playing with attributes such as strength, endurance, and leadership.”
    • “I finished the game in roughly 10 hours, but there's some extra content I left unfinished, and the co-op definitely increases the replayability. I suggest playing the first game if you haven't, and if you have, play Zcii on hard.”
    • “Great game with great combat mechanics; the co-op mode adds significant replay value.”
    • “Seemed like it was too short, though, and there isn't much replayability.”
    • “Great game with great combat mechanics; too bad it has little outside content and little replay value.”
    • “I finished the game in roughly 10 hours, but there's some extra stuff I left unfinished, and the co-op definitely increases the replayability.”
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59%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
10h Average play time
7-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Zeno Clash 2 is a hack and slash game.

Zeno Clash 2 is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Zeno Clash 2.

Zeno Clash 2 was released on April 30, 2013.

Zeno Clash 2 was developed by ACE Team.

Zeno Clash 2 has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Zeno Clash 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Zeno Clash, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, The Evil Within 2, Lost in Random, BioShock Infinite and others.