Zak & Jack in Showdown at Monstertown Review

Written by: Dustin Arient Published: June 15, 2006 In Alawar Entertainment's cartoon shooter, Zak & Jack in Showdown at Monstertown, the titular heroes are the last hope of a race known as Hobsters. Looking like a cross between the Smurfs and Q*Bert, they built a charming little hamlet, only to learn a ruthless band of monsters is bent on brutally sacking and razing it. We're told the motivation for the attack was unprovoked envy, but in hindsight, naming their pastoral wonderland "Monstertown" might have been asking for t. Whatever the reasons, total war is upon you as you command Zak and Jack's defense of the city. You control the vertical movement of the duo's weapon with the mouse, while left-clicking to unleash storms of bullets at oncoming monsters. Most of the enemies (including balloons with twisted faces and heads which stay aloft by flapping their enormous ears) are airborne. They whiz headlong toward Monstertown, aiming to smash themselves into the wall behind our heroes. Let too many fly past your field of fire and the barrier comes crashing down -- along with Zak and Jack. Enemy tanks up the ante with missiles fired at your gun platform and volleys of bubbles sent up to block your bullets. As you progress, you'll find powerups to help you fend off the bestial hordes. Health boosters repair battle damage, firepower upgrades fit your cannon with rapid-fire or missile attachments, and rare "Super Weapons" lay waste to a screen-full of enemies at a time. Showdown in Monstertown combines quirky cartoon style with a frenetic pace and a level of difficulty that rises from moderate to titanic. The result is a solid shooter that's effortless for even the youngest or most casual of gamers to pick up, yet hard to put down. Scoring (out of five dragon heads): Graphics: Ease of use: Gameplay: Difficulty: Sound effects: Music: Final analysis: Click here to download the free trial version of Showdown at Monstertown.