THE EXPLOSIVE REVIEW

Story
Zeke and Julie, the teenage brother and sister duo from the previous entry, are back. This time, they accidentally unleash a demonic beast from Hell upon Earth (and time as well) after they recite a nercromantic incantation. In order to fix their big mistake, Zeke and Julie must travel across time and put an end to the new batch of monsters.

Graphics
“Ghoul Patrol” continues its shooter/multi-scroller style from “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” and the darkly-colored graphics add a somber tone to the overall game, but at the same time, it also looks good. Zeke and Julie’s outfits are an improvement over what they wore in the original. The rendering of all the characters have been improved upon. Everything looks nice and crisp.

Controls
The controls are as crisp and easy as they were in “Zombies Ate My Neighbors”. The only downside is that it can get a bit tedious when having to cycle through your weaponry and gear while remembering what you already have like every 5 minutes or so. Other than that, good stuff.

Gameplay
This is one tough game here as swarms of baddies engulf you at all angles. You play as Zeke or Julie or both through two-player team-up, you fight and shoot your way through five different worlds/dimensions ranging from the Present, Japan, Caribbean, Medieval, and Hell - They have four sub-levels in each except for Medieval which has 2 and Hell only has 1. Like the original, you must rescue 10 victims in each level and face a boss afterward. The monsters this time consist of skeletons, imps, zombies, flesh-eating plants, ninja spirits, and things that pop out of garbage cans.

Weapons consist of Plasma Guns, Lobbing Smash Guns, Plunger Arrows, and Squirt Guns to name a few. Worst of all, your ammo is limited and you have to save so much for later levels. The only aspect of the game that’s on your side is the password that appears at the start of each level - with the exception of Hell. It is also much harder to pinpoint your neighbors as your radar is gone and you must instead follow these “HELP!” bubbles that pop up on the screen. The same goes for the Level Exit once you’ve completed all of your tasks - What a pain.

Overall
“Ghoul Patrol” is to “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” what “Beyond The Poseidon Adventure was to “The Poseidon Adventure” - It suffers from a lack of original ideas just like most sequels tend to do. The first game has such high replay value and so much charm, but the sequel simply doesn’t have that. It has lost its wacky edge found in the original. Even the bosses in this one stink, they all look the same (a large, floating demon whose attacks consist of a melee weapon and a projectile).

The only good thing “Ghoul Patrol” has going for it is its levels, they are almost like those found in the first game - Large and winding, plenty of doors, plenty of goodies to be discovered, danger all around - all of that is the same, although it looks different. I’m not saying this widely unknown sequel isn’t a fun game, but it certainly is missing that camp, humor, and charm that made its predecessor such a huge hit. Stick with “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” until a console-based remake of it is conjured up.

Rating: **1/2

Story
A madman scientist by the name of Dr. Tongue has created and unleashed a vast army of monsters to take over the world for him. However, teenage brother and sister Zeke and Julie set out to stop him and his evil creations with all the weaponry and ammunition one can ask for.

Graphics
The cartoony graphics are perfect for the game’s concept, they match the silly humor. Plus, since there is a wide variety of monsters and bosses to do battle with as well as large environments to explore, leaving you with plenty of new things to look at as you progress through each level. This is almost like a watered-down 2D precursor to “Dead Rising”, except with more monsters besides zombies.

Controls
The controls are quite simple and basic as it only consists of four buttons to use. Very memorable and fluid-like, allowing you to handle your character with ease throughout each and every level.

Gameplay
You have the choice of playing two characters, Zeke and Julie, who are both brother and sister. You can also play both in two player mode which is loads of fun. Whether it’s one player or two player, you navigate these characters through suburban neighborhoods, shopping malls, pyramids, castles, football fields, lakes, and more - there is a total of 55 levels (that includes bonus levels too). Each level has a maximum of ten neighbors you need to save before proceeding on to the next, you must save at least one. However, the more you save, the more points you get.

Throughout these levels, you must do battle with a wide variety of horror-movie monsters such as vampires, werewolves, huge evil babies, chainsaw maniacs, giant ants, spiders, mummies, zombies, and more. The weapons are just as schlocky and silly including killer soda cans, chainsaws, bazookas, and water guns. The boss characters gradually become more and more difficult as the levels progress. From a shopping mall with giant ants and zombies to a pyramid with mummies and to a mine shaft with a giant snake, the gameplay is LOADS of fun.

Overall
“Zombies Ate My Neighbors” is huge and expansive in its own concept and contains enough things to do in it to make the game far more interesting and appealing than say… “Super Mario Brothers”, leave that for the whittle kiddies. There are so many references and comical tributes to classic horror films ranging from the 1950s through the 1980s including “Them!”, “A Nightmare On Elm Street”, “Child’s Play”, “Psycho”, “Dracula”, and the list goes on.

With countless weapons, enemies, and different environments with plenty of exploring to do, this classic game qualifies for excellency. The only downside is that sometimes the game can get repetitive, especially if you get very far into it only to keep on getting killed because the bosses get a bit too difficult. I’d say this game deserves a remake on the XBOX 360 or PS3. Imagine what this would be like with 4 players instead and superb 3D graphics? Somebody please make it happen.

Rating: *****