Z (computer game)

Z is a real-time strategy game by The Bitmap Brothers that was released on September 2, 1996. The game works entirely without a basic building.

In 2001 the successor Z: Steel Soldiers was released , also by The Bitmap Brothers.

In 2011 Kavcom released Z under the name “Z - The Game” in a revised new edition for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The Android version followed in 2012.

Z

Z
Z logo on the front cover
Studio	The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher	Renegade Software , GT Interactive
Erstveröffent- lichung	September 2, 1996
platform	MS-DOS , Windows , PlayStation , Sega Saturn , iOS , Mac OS X , Android
genre	Real time strategy game
Subject	Science fiction
Game mode	Single player , multiplayer
control	Keyboard , mouse
system advantages preconditions	Processor: 100 MHz; RAM: 32 MB; Sound card: yes
medium	1 CD
language	German
Age rating	USK

Gameplay

The play area is divided into sectors. Almost all sectors have flags, the color of which gives information about the respective owner. Ownership changes when another player with any unit touches the flag.

In many sectors there are factories, radar stations or workshops that work for the respective owner. Factories and workshops work on a temporary basis. Robotic infantry , vehicles and guns can be built in them. The time per unit decreases the more sectors the respective player has.

Each player owns a fort that also functions as a factory. The sector in which the fort is located cannot be conquered by touching the flag. Sometimes players start with a few more sectors in their possession, but usually most sectors are unused at the beginning. The players do not collect resources or build additional buildings, but rather try to quickly conquer additional sectors.

The player follows the action from a bird's eye view. As a commander, he can give orders to all units and organize production in the factories according to his wishes.

The robot infantry is suitable for taking over empty vehicles and guns. At the beginning of the game there are usually a few such in the sectors. In addition, enemy robots can be shot out of their vehicles or guns in order to occupy them themselves.

The aim of the game to destroy the opponent can be achieved in three ways:

1. You destroy the opposing fort.
2. You destroy all enemy units.
3. You move any of your own units into the opposing fort.

While the winner of the first two options was usually considerably more playful than before, the third option in particular often comes as a surprise. Although the forts are armed with guns at the beginning of each mission, a skilful rapid advance often does not leave the attacked person time to use his forces to defend the base.

entertainment

Humorous insertions and comments from the fighting men loosen up the game. For example, the player is encouraged to finally storm the opposing fortress with slogans such as: “Come on, let's get the fort!” Or “Let's finish it off!”. But your own robots also find accusatory words when the player has lost the battle. Likewise, a separate unit comments on the order to attack an extremely superior, opposing unit with: “Never in my life!”. In addition, the player is rewarded with a rendering video after each mission . These videos repeat themselves in their basic concept, so the entertainment value drops after a few levels.

Match practice

The game system ensures an unusually hectic pace, especially in the early stages of the game, as a time / area advantage that has been gained or lost is almost impossible to catch up. The starting positions are balanced, and the very strong computer opponent wins if necessary through ability and not through overweight at the start of the game. He has the advantages of being able to give orders quickly, not losing track of what is happening and knowing the map.

There is no “super-unity”. Although a certain tank is usually inferior to the next heavier, the heaviest tanks are again problematic by the light tanks with their high speed and firing frequency. There are also two types of fire: Bullet fire can kill the driver or gunner, while the device remains functional and can then be taken over. Any other shelling also destroys the device.

Technical

Z was shipped in 1996 for DOS and Windows 95, Windows XP is not supported. The fan website ZZone offers an XP launcher for Z in the download area, which enables installation and play under Windows 2000 / XP and Vista. With the launcher it is possible for the first time to design new single player cards. Full multiplayer support is also guaranteed.

You no longer need an emulator to play the game on newer Windows operating systems.

Z: Steel Soldiers

Z: Steel Soldiers
Studio	The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher	EON Digital Entertainment
Erstveröffent- lichung	Spring 2001
platform	Windows
genre	Real time strategy game
Subject	Science fiction
Game mode	Single player , multiplayer
control	Keyboard , mouse
medium	1 CD
language	German
Age rating	USK

Z: Steel Soldiers was released in spring 2001 and differed from its predecessor in terms of 3D graphics and significant changes to the gameplay.

Game flow

The basic concept of Steel Soldiers is the same: there are sectors that the players must occupy. Buildings within a sector produce for each player. However, Steel Soldiers changed the gameplay in that sectors no longer automatically produced units. Instead, the sectors produced money that the player could invest in the production of units. In addition, the player was also able to build buildings. A special construction robot is required for this. Restrictions on construction were once again the limit of their own sectors. Steel Soldiers also tried to expand the gameplay comprehensively. In addition to the ground units, naval and air units were now added, but they could not take flag points.

The Bitmap Brothers developed their last PC game " World War II: Frontline Command " based on the engine from Steel Soldiers . It was a real-time tactical game in the style of Sudden Strike and was largely positively received by the specialist press.

criticism

Steel Soldiers couldn't replicate the success of the original. This was mainly due to the game principle, which has now been expanded to include too many new ideas. So the players had to concentrate on too many points at the same time. Some playful subtleties were also lost: A "crew" for vehicles no longer existed, so it was no longer possible to shoot them out of the vehicle. Neither was it possible to cross bodies of water with infantrymen or to blast cliffs out of the way, whereby some tactical elements were lost. Finally, the colorful bitmap graphics, loved by many fans, with their countless details and effects gave way to a rather unspectacular 3D engine. Steel Soldiers therefore met with little approval from many fans of the original.

C64 game

There is also a game called Z by Rino Marketing (1985) for the Commodore 64 . This is a multi-scrolling shoot 'em up though .

Web links

• Z Website of the manufacturer The Bitmap Brothers (English)
• Z: Steel Soldiers website of the manufacturer The Bitmap Brothers (English)
• Z-Series at MobyGames (English)
• Kavcom website

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Tony: Kavcom links licensing deal for the bitmap-brothers classic Z ( English ) kavcom.co.uk. April 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
2. ↑ Tony: Z out on Android! ( English ) kavcom.co.uk. July 22, 2012. Archived from the original on February 27, 2013. Retrieved on April 8, 2013.