Description: Actual Game ZPC Zero Population Control 1-Click Install Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP (GT Interactive 1996) MY PROMISE My games are genuine, install in one step, look, sound and play in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP like they did in the old days, or your money back. This is my unconditional guarantee for three years. WHAT IS INCLUDED This listing includes the original game CD. An on-screen printable manual is also included. The game box is pictured for reference and not included. I will also provide a compatibility CD that will allow the game to run under ALL VERSIONS of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP, both 32 and 64 bit. Note that network play will no longer work. INSTALLATION One step: Insert my CD and the game will automatically work on your computer. Done. Yes, it's that simple. Want to play? Click the icon. Want the game off your computer? Click Uninstall. Zero hassle. TECH SUPPORT Rapid response technical support for three years is always an e-mail or phone call away. In the extremely rare event I cannot get this title to work on your system I will take it back for a full refund. All I ask is minimal assistance from you during the troubleshooting process. The Game Who can forget the glory days of the first-person shooter? Catacomb 3D, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and soon thereafter tons of others. Remember Duke Nukem 3D? Quake? The genre is so commonplace now and overdone it surprises me that anyone bothers. It seems that anymore the only games that sell systems are first-person shooters, none of which have had any real appeal to me in recent years simply because they're just increasing graphics and haven't really managed to do much to make the games original. Of all of them, though, there stands a game so impressive to me it simply must be reviewed. After the release of Marathon, which was touted as one of the most innovative first-person shooters of its day, the same game engine was used to create a title so unique in its design that it still stands as one of the most creative games ever made, even though it's sadly unknown to the majority of the gaming community. Even the most hardcore of gamers don't know of it, and even the most dedicated of first-person shooter fans aren't even aware it exists. I'm talking about ZPC, so let's get to it. Graphically, ZPC was beyond anything that was around at the time and would define itself as a title of its own separate world. In case you don't know him, Aidan Hughes, the artist most known for his cover art for the band KMFDM, designed this entire game. This artwork goes back to the Soviet era using a type of art called Constructivism, which essentially looks like what most people today would call 'propaganda art'. Angular, simple, with a stark color scheme and cubic look to everything is the best way to explain it, but look it up. Anyway, so the entire game is designed using this art style, everything from the incredible, goosebump gathering opening to the game proper. It's really original and creates a totally unique atmosphere that fits perfectly with the game theme. Of course, some of the programming is primitive in terms of today's shooters, but the stylized look makes this game timeless and aside from some movement problems that were simply the way it was back then, ZPC is one of the most artistic, visionary video games I've ever seen, if not the most. It looks spectacular with excellent death sequences, incredibly innovative and creepy characters, wonderful environments and so much that I could write the entire review on this aspect alone. Not only does ZPC look incredible, it sounds incredible. During this time in video game history, the majority of first-person shooters had some sort of soundtrack or monster effects that kept running for the most part. ZPC utilizes incidental music and sound effects. Thus, while walking in the marketplace, you'll hear sounds that sound like a crowd of people at market, or you may hear random moaning of tormented creatures later on and a slew of other sounds that set a perfect mood. Music is not constant, only played at times of tension or to add to the environment. Weapon sounds are right on, and some of them are unique, such as the charging up of the dreaded Tesla gun. Add to this the music, which was done by members of both Ministry and The Revolting Cocks, and you get something spectacular. The music is epic, military-like at times, or just downright creepy and depressing, all fitting with the wonderful plot they put together here. So what about the gameplay? Well, ZPC is an excellent presentation. I'll say this to begin so you know, though awesome, it's not really any different than any other first-person shooter of the time. By the time this came out, the whole idea was pretty much solidified so there wasn't too much new that could be done. But anyway, let me continue. Basically, you play as Arman, the last in the line of god kings who protect the people of the planet and rule over them. In time, a group called the Black Bretheren gain political control and turn the world into a techonological sludge heap, eating humans, controling slaves and so forth. Arman is placed into cyrogenic sleep in space, to be revived by the few surviving believers who want him to return the world to its former greatness. Armed with the Johnny 7, a gun designer by your followers that has seven separate functions, you go on a quest to enter the Black Bretheren's inner city complex to regain control of Mt. Psion. You go through sewers fighting horrid beasts, ruined city complexes swimming in septic, icy sludge, human processing plants, the apartment complex of the Black Bretheren's minions and a variety of other cool realms set into a series of eight main stages with three levels each. ZPC essentially plays just like any other shooter. You have a variety of weapons you progressively get, tons of enemies to destroy, switches to locate to open doors and so forth. What really sets it apart, however, is the integration of the plot using the music and graphics for a total experience. It's not just go, shoot and done. This has a story behind it that creates a wonderful atmosphere and plenty of variety. I especially enjoyed how more difficult enemies and monsters were introduced only at certain points and sometimes that was it. The Dominators, for example, short, stout, brown and ugly midget-like creatures that attack with vomit, appear briefly in at attempt to stop you from getting a piece of your royal attire. The levels are set up in interesting, progressively more difficult and vast fashions, and I can't say I really have a problem with it at all. The only gripe is that on the surface it's just another shooter, but what the programmers did here is well beyond the typical first-person at the time, and even today. I have friends who have tried it out to only be amazed at how unique it is. Eventually, you lose your gun entirely to utilize your psychic powers, which was a welcome change near the end. ZPC seems to have it all, I wouldn't call the gameplay perfect because of the simple fact it's a regular shooter in many respects, but I'm scoring high because it has so much to offer. Do I even need to comment on this category? ZPC is incredibly creative and makes excellent usage of a stylized look with good integration of plot, gameplay and sound. This is high on my list as one of the most creative games ever made. The only fault is that aside from this, it is, as I must say again, a typical first-person shooter. ZPC is one of those games that deserves more attention and it seems I've said this before but in this case it's truly the issue that most bothers me. In an era when first-person shooters are the norm and never really stepped beyond the typical boundaries set back in the 90s, something like this has yet to come again, even though it didn't really have much of an impact in its own time. Innovation and artistry are one of the most important aspects for video games, especially in a genre that's so easy to do and so lacking now in variety. This, with another title called Blood, are usually considered two of the greatest first-person shooters that were overlooked, but I have to say I choose this over the other. Note: My compatibility CD does not alter the retail game or bypass copy protection. It allows the original media to install and run correctly on any recent version of Windows.
Price: 19.95 USD
Location: East Northport, New York
End Time: 2024-02-21T20:49:14.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 60 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Game Name: ZPC ZERO POPULATION CONTROL +1Clk Win 11 10 8 7 Vista XP Install
Platform: Windows, PC
Publisher: Allvideo Classic Games
Custom Bundle: Yes
Manufacturer Warranty: THREE YEARS
Tech Support: THREE YEARS
Windows Versions: (32/64) 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP