New Games on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg en-us Comix Zone is a unique and artistically rich beat 'em up originally developed for the Sega Mega Drive. It was also ported to the PC and GBA and is available in emulated form on the PS2, PSP and the Wii. The game was released in 1995 and was noted for its original premise and amazing graphics and sound which pushed Sega's 16-bit machine to its limits.

The game is essentially a one-player side-scrolling beat 'em up with a twist. The unique aspect of the game is quickly revealed to be its presentation. The player is in control of Sketch Turner, a comic book artist who is trapped within his own comic creation. The levels are literally panels of Sketch's comic. Each level consists of two pages some with alternate routes, each with different art and puzzles. Powerups and secrets are revealed by literally ripping paper and Sketch can even find help in the form of his pet rat Roadkill, who is trapped with Sketch and can be used in a fight or to help with solving a puzzle.

There are three episodes containing two levels, each with unique backgroud art consistent with real-life comic books. Dialouge is even displayed within speech bubbles that help forward the story without breaking the comic book mould.

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