Zheros + The Forgotten Land DLC (Xbox One) Review

ZHEROS + FORGOTTEN LAND DLC

 Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Developer: Rimlight Studios

Publisher: Rimlight Studios

Genre: Adventure, Action 

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

ZHEROS ARE HEROES

ZHEROS is a side scrolling, beat em up, action style game created by Rimlight Studios. The game came out on January 15, 2016 and was originally free as part of Games with Gold on Xbox One. ZHEROS has a distinct feeling, style of gameplay and music which all comes together as you gradually progress through the story.

There are two characters to choose from whether you play as Mike, the buff guy with the stuff or the agile and flexible, Captain Dorian, you must make your way through each level increasing your multiplier combos and putting an end to Dr. Vendetta's master plan to end everything in the entire universe.

Captain Dorian and Mike are polar opposites of each other but we do recommend you try out both characters as Dorian will give you speed and agility while Mike gives you brute strength. The character selection is really up to personal preference. As you play through, you build your combo chain along with looking to collect health and other orbs to ensure your defense, offensive attacks and your power up to your character are achievable. Each character has a weapon as well as a light attack, heavy attack and a defense to stop others from attacking you.

One cool thing that happens pretty early on is the ability to use and take control of a mech suit. You can utilize the mech suit as long as you have battery to run it. Fighting is easy to pick up and quick to grasp. Its recommended as you advance through levels to ensure you are always close to a health orb or two as you will need them when additional swarms of enemies are around you.

VISUALS/AUDIO
 

The graphics aren't anything special in Zheros but they do resemble that of a modern version Streets of Rage side scroller or any old school arcade side scrolling action games. The sound is ideal for an arcade game with retro tunes and the classic arcade sounds of the crates breaking and punches being thrown. It all comes together quite nicely though as a complete package. The backgrounds of the levels give the allure that you are fighting your way through Dr. Vendetta's Evil Plan to get to him with the classic areas of fire pits, poison/toxic filled containers and ledges to be weary of.

CONTROLS/FEATURES

Controls are extremely friendly to get used to. There is nothing too complicated as Rimlight stuck with the traditional arcade style and feel of Zheros all the way through to the controls. There isn't much in the way of features to discuss or get into as its pretty much a straight forward, sit down, fight em up arcade game.

THE FORGOTTEN LAND DLC

The Forgotten Land was released a year after Zheros hit Xbox One and for $4.99 it is a pretty cool pick up to rejuvenate your attraction to the beat em up game. There is a new character to play with along with some new enemies but the objective is basically the same, to save everything from Dr. Vendetta. The Forgotten Land has the same type of music to perfectly tie in this DLC to the original game and it all suits well in this little package. The best way to play the DLC like Zheros, the original game, is with a friend to not get bored so quickly. As with all beat em ups, its always best to use a friends assistance and that way you can even have extra fun with some banter back and forth of who performed better in the level.

Some of the backgrounds and enemies get repeated so this can be a little frustrating or a short come of the Zheros game but other than that it is a very good, solid $4.99 DLC to pick up.

CONCLUSION

The game gets some bonus bump as this was originally part of the Xbox Live Games with Gold when it was first released but now it currently sits at $9.99 along with $4.99 for the DLC. It might be a little steep to get fully into it from start to finish, but if you we lucky to download it for free, don't second guess The Forgotten Land DLC purchase! I did find myself wandering off to play other games in between this one every now and when I started to get a little bored with the levels. Make sure you play with a friend to overcome the loneliness or any difficult and or boring areas you may face.

Zheros is recommended if you like these type of arcade games, especially if you also pick up the DLC to have the full experience. Download the game here today. 

Zheros : Overall Score

• 70% Story/Features
  
• 70% Visuals
  
• 65% Audio
• 70% Achievement Variety
• 70% Fun Factor
  
• Total - 70% OVERALL RATING

Zheros The Forgotten Land DLC : Overall Score

• 70% Story/Features
  
• 70% Visuals
  
• 65% Audio
• 70% Achievement Variety
• 70% Fun Factor
  
• Total - 70% OVERALL RATING