Zeno Clash 2

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 426 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Zeno Clash 2 Game Cover
Not quite so original the second time around, Zeno Clash 2 hits hard with ideas, swings and misses on execution.
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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…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 426 reviews
story66 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • Incredibly unique worldbuilding and art that creates a surreal experience.
  • High-impact and satisfying first-person boxing combat, with new mechanics and combos.
  • Lean and well-paced gameplay with minimal padding, often introducing new areas and challenges.
  • The story is bare bones and lacks depth, making it feel less engaging.
  • Combat against multiple enemies can become chaotic and messy due to poor lock-on mechanics.
  • Non-mandatory fights feel pointless as enemies do not grant XP or loot, reducing incentive to engage.
  • story225 mentions

    The story in Zeno Clash II is a continuation of the first game's narrative, offering a more coherent and engaging plot that expands on the bizarre world and characters. While some players appreciate the unique and surreal storytelling, others find it confusing and lacking depth, with mixed opinions on the voice acting and dialogue quality. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant improvement over the first game, though it still retains its eccentric charm that may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The story here keeps a few red lines from the first game while expanding in several new directions, keeping its audience's attention for longer in the process.”
    • “The story was compelling enough to get me through the game, and I enjoyed the world design and artwork.”
    • “Zeno Clash 2 has something the first game only implied: a story!”
    • “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 just stupid, and the combat just isn't fun.”
    • “The story is also difficult to comprehend due to its weirdness and translation issues.”
  • gameplay109 mentions

    The gameplay of Zeno Clash II is a mixed bag, featuring unique and imaginative mechanics that can range from engaging to clunky. While some players appreciate the refined combat system and the vibrant world design, others criticize the repetitive nature and technical issues that detract from the overall experience. The game is often described as a surreal brawler that prioritizes atmosphere and creativity over polished mechanics, making it a polarizing title among fans of the genre.

    • “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.”
    • “The brawling mechanics are impeccably designed and make for a smooth fighting experience that remains challenging up until the endgame.”
    • “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.”
    • “One of the complaints I had about the first Zeno Clash game was primarily how nonsensical the whole game was, to the point there was nothing of substance to absorb from playing it. It was such a short game that you could finish in just 3 hours and had such simplistic, repetitive, and boring gameplay which made me not like it very much once I saw the credits drop; it was all style above substance.”
    • “The gameplay is still boring, limited, and frustrating.”
    • “The combat system, which is the bulk of the gameplay, is terribly unresponsive and feels incredibly awkward.”
  • graphics53 mentions

    The graphics of Zeno Clash 2 are characterized by a unique and surreal art style that many players find visually striking and reminiscent of Salvador Dali's work. While some reviews note improvements in graphical fidelity compared to the first game, others point out persistent glitches and an overall dated appearance. Despite mixed opinions on technical execution, the game's vibrant and bizarre visuals are often praised for their creativity and ability to enhance the storytelling experience.

    • “The graphics and designs are literally insane.”
    • “The game's graphics are wonderful and are greatly improved from the first game, obviously due to game engine changes.”
    • “The real kicker for me is the beautiful surreal visuals and vivid, if nonsensical world.”
    • “My only complaints are the graphics and level design have suffered quite a lot.”
    • “Released in 2013 so expect dated graphics and mechanics.”
    • “More advanced graphically than Zeno Clash 1, but still one incredibly ugly piece of software.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with some noting its ability to complement the game's unique art style and setting. However, a few critiques mention that certain tracks may not live up to the original game's music, suggesting a mixed reception in comparison.

    • “The soundtrack is enthralling, the enemy A.I.”
    • “The music and sound are also top notch, very well composed.”
    • “The music is incredible.”
    • “The music is simplistic and lifeless compared to the first, with quite a few bad remixes of tracks from the first game.”
    • “(intro music starts: an off-kilter, distorted version of a heroic orchestral score)”
    • “Now beyond that annoying bug, I love the visual style and the tribal soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its originality, immersive world-building, and strong artistic design, with many players highlighting the captivating music and surreal settings. While some noted a slight repetition in gameplay, the overall experience is described as a triumph of atmospheric storytelling that encourages players to appreciate the philosophical depth of the narrative. The combination of complex combat and a rich, dreamlike atmosphere makes it a standout feature, drawing players into the unique world of Zenozoik.

    • “Music, setting, scenes, and atmosphere are great.”
    • “The rest of the game is a triumph of atmosphere and setting design, just like the first one, yet dialed up to eleven.”
    • “The atmosphere was really original and the voice acting did a good job of sounding realistically primitive.”
    • “I was fascinated by the dreamy and surreal atmosphere of the game.”
    • “It doesn't work, and damages the atmosphere of the game, but about an hour or two in it descends back into the same libidinal logics that made the first game so great, only to end on a slightly less stellar note.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some find the charm in these imperfections, the consensus is that the game requires significant improvements to its stability, particularly in cooperative play and visual performance. Overall, the game's ambitious design is overshadowed by its technical shortcomings.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is just a little bit too buggy and slow at times.”
    • “[getting lost all the time, backtracking and unrewarding side quests, crashes, freezes, and other problematic glitches]”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by striking and eccentric character designs that enhance the overall atmosphere, though some players feel the linearity of the narrative limits deeper engagement. While the companion system adds a layer of complexity, it can detract from the story if players focus too heavily on other stats. Overall, the unique visual style and narrative depth are praised, but some aspects of character progression and voice acting received criticism.

    • “It's a bit more narrative-heavy; you uncover the history of Zenozoik instead of wandering mostly aimlessly looking for fights, but the story is satisfying and the environment/character design is still satisfyingly weird.”
    • “The environments and character design are truly breathtaking.”
    • “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.”
    • “Boasting striking art, unhinged character designs, and esoteric worldbuilding, they're no less strange in the gameplay department, with unique mechanics that range from compelling to sloppy.”
    • “The character designs range from hilarious to downright creepy.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of quirky character designs and amusing gameplay, with players finding both the absurdity of the AI and the overall experience entertaining. While some elements may be creepy, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the enjoyment for fans of the series.

    • “Polnareff: (chuckling) I've seen weirder things on our journey.”
    • “The character designs range from hilarious to downright creepy.”
    • “This game is so terrible that it's hilarious.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional investment in the game, highlighting its deep and heartfelt story that resonates with those familiar with the first installment. The narrative's ability to blend the bizarre with genuine emotional depth has led to a heartfelt recommendation for those seeking unique gaming experiences, showcasing the potential of smaller development teams to rival larger titles.

    • “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.”
    • “It was fun, and because I have a strong emotional connection with the first game, it was a blast to play.”
    • “The story is deep and heartfelt.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its engaging story and level-up system, allowing players to explore different attributes and play styles. While the cooperative mode enhances replay value, some users noted a lack of additional content outside the main story, which may limit long-term replayability. Overall, it is recommended to play through multiple times, especially on harder difficulties.

    • “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 replay value is enhanced by the various ways to approach each playthrough.”
    • “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. The co-op definitely increases the replayability.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be tedious, particularly due to repetitive combat and poor script and voice acting. However, encounters with larger enemies are noted to be less monotonous compared to previous experiences.

    • “However, the combat gets pretty tedious very quickly, and the poor script and voice acting are hard to swallow.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant lag even on high-end gaming PCs. Issues such as poor lighting, performance problems, and an overly complicated system contribute to a frustrating experience. Overall, many feel that the game's technical shortcomings detract from its potential.

    • “The money I wasted on this game is unbelievable. Even with a high-end gaming PC, it's so poorly optimized that it lags excessively.”
    • “From the weird lighting to the performance problems, balance and difficulty issues, and the non-intuitive, over-complicated, and unreliable system... a lot of things in this game just don't work.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

59% average critic score

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Play time

17hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
9-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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