Design Journal #6: Zed Blade

Zed Blade

Introduction

Actions: 

The controls used in Zed Blade on the Neo Geo can be seen as being the following:

 Up                        = Moves Fighter Up

Left                        = Moves Fighter Left

Down                    = Moves Fighter Down

Right                      = Moves Fighter Right

Start                      = Start

Select                    = Select

A                             = Shoot

B                             = Bomb

Rules:

The rules aligned with the game Zed Blade are to complete each stage or mission without dying essentially with the added achievements of gaining money or points in the way of destroying enemy ships and/or collecting pickups that litter the levels.

Game play:

One or two players simultaneously choose one of three characters to play, each with varying speeds at which they control their ships. A selection of three weapons are used for the front and rear of the selected ship. The player has to destroy various enemy ships and the boss near the end of the planet while travelling through every planet in the solar system. Weapons can be upgraded during the battle, and HyperBombs (that cause maximum damage) can be collected.

Experience:
Many underlying  experiences are felt whilst playing Zed Blade which can be sub categorized into emotions and instincts such as the following:

Emotions:

                Anger:

• Anger can be felt as one constantly dies unable to complete or pass a certain stage in a level having to restart the entire stage once again.

                Joy/ Happiness:

• Joy and happiness can easily come from the mindless destruction and obliteration of the enemy Ships and/or buildings for collateral damage/fun.

                Pride:

• Pride can be gathered from both finishing a hard grueling level/mission or even having the highest score record between friends and family.

                Excitement:

• Excitement much like happiness and joy can be derived from the fast paced action and simplistic destruction of enemy planes and bosses.

Instincts:

                Self-identification:

• Self identification can be seen partially as you play through the story and learn more about your character etc.

                Competition:

• Competition in the game is easily recognizable as you can amass a score board of the best players to compete for top spot as well as having multiple players play at the same time in co-op.

                Aggressiveness:

• The game plays on a players aggressive Instinct greatly as you are tasked to kill hundreds of enemy ships usually quite easily cutting your way through enemies.

                Survival(Fight or Flight):

• The game is primarily based on the need to survive, as you must survive through the waves of enemies on your pursue of your goals.

                Colour Appreciation:

• The coulours within Zed Blade are very suited to its application with a variety of colouration suiting its varied mood settings.

-Jade Mills-Brewster