101 Free Games Part 2: Nanozoa
…continued from Part 1 of a look at 1up’s 101 Best Free Games
This is a classic example of a great design idea / tweak that really doesn’t pan out once you get down to playing it. The game is basically Asteroids, with a few extra weapons, baddies of different sizes, and a wonderful inside-the-body medical theme. However, the gameplay is hamstrung by the art. The fact that everything is in black and white is gorgeous, and the backgrounds and sprites are lovely, but it’s really hard to see. Add the fact that enemies phase into place on the field of play, and things can get really inconvenient really, really fast. Pros are great art, great presentation, great concept. Cons are the art & concept overwhelming gameplay concerns. Not really recommended.