I know that doesn't make much sense--why would I go ahead and spend my hard-earned money on a game that I was pretty sure I'd dislike? Well, the thing is, I didn't think I'd completely hate it. I just thought it would pale in comparison to the series' first handheld release, 2003's Zooo, much like that game's DS-based follow-up did.
So, imagine my surprise when I started playing Zoo Keeper 3D a few days ago and couldn't stop. And not only couldn't I stop playing it, but I couldn't stop grinning while I was playing it.
What's so fun about this iteration of everyone's favorite zoo-themed, match-three puzzler? I've got two words for you: Encho Battle.
That's the name of my favorite Zoo Keeper 3D mode, for those of you who aren't in the know (and I'm guessing that's a good portion of you). In it, you battle to the death (or something like that) against the game's balding curator.
The general rules here are the same as they always are in these Bejeweled-esque titles: rid the game field of as many tiles as possible by placing three or more of the same design--in this case, different animals' faces--in a row.
What sets this mode apart from the others included in Zoo Keeper 3D is that here, getting rid of alligator, giraffe, monkey and panda tiles earns the player "offense" points, while doing the same to the elephant and hippo tiles earns you "defense" points.
As for why you need either of those things: at the end of every round (they only take a few seconds), you and the curator--I'm assuming his name is Encho--square off a la Punch-Out!! If he has more offense and defense points than you do, your health meter decreases. Allow it to dry up completely and it's game over.
Something I love about this particular mode: it means business. As in, I've played it about 25 times now (at least), and so far I've racked up just seven or so wins.
Speaking of challenges, the "Score Attack" mode included here is pretty tough, too. That may be because each game is limited to a single minute, though--as opposed to the six-minute games found in the other Zoo Keeper titles.
You can extend that a bit, but I have to confess that I'm not entirely sure how you do it. I've been able to eke out games that lasted a minute and a half and two minutes, but that's it--and I have no idea what I did to earn those extra, precious seconds.
Zoo Keeper 3D features a few other modes as well, of course, but I've yet to play any of them. If you want to know their names, there's "Normal Game" (traditional rules apply), "Tokoton" (rid the field of 100 of each animal), "Quest," "Puzzle" (which seems similar to games like Nazo Puyo) and "Friend Battle" (versus mode, basically).
Two last comments before I hit "publish": although Zoo Keeper 3D's soundtrack isn't as stellar as the one featured in the first Zoo Keeper, it far from sucks. (In fact, the tune that plays throughout each "Score Attack" battle is largely responsible for my continued attempts at this mode.) Also, the little animations that play out on the top screen (while the action takes place on the lower one--if you choose) are a lot cuter and a lot more interesting than they have any right to be.
See also: 'One of the many reasons I'm glad I finally picked up Zoo Keeper 3D: it comes with an actual manual'
Glad you weren't disappointed. :) How do any of these portable versions of Zoo Keeper compare with the flash version that you can play online? I'd link to it but just Googling for the web address is the first step on a path that ends with me not getting anything done today.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Michael! The Flash version you can play on line for free is what started it all, I think. Regardless, it's basically the game's "Normal Mode." All of the handheld/portable versions you can find on the market -- for GBA, DS and 3DS -- include loads of other modes, most of which are far more interesting than the Normal mode. That's not to say the Normal mode is bad, just that the others are more interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, I love both the Time Attack and Score Attack modes found in the GBA game, and I love the Encho Battle mode found in the 3DS game.
The Quest mode tends to be fun in all versions, too, although I rarely play it for some reason.
If you're at all interested in the game, I'd suggest picking up the GBA version (it's called Zooo rather than Zoo Keeper, for some dumb reason) if you still have access to a GBA or a DS/DS lite.
The DS version of the game (Zoo Keeper) is far from terrible, but I've always found it to be too easy. That said, it's been ages since I've played it, so maybe I should give it another go just to make sure my mind isn't playing tricks on me...
Is it possible that part of the easiness of the DS version (especially compared to the GBA) is just the different input method? I think I'd like it as a touch-based game so I'm glad to hear the 3DS version is all right. (though it doesn't seem to have been released outside Japan anyway, right?)
ReplyDeleteYes, that's possible, Michael. I'll have to play the normal mode of the 3DS version a bit more soon and compare the two. Regardless, the input method doesn't make the 3DS version's Encho Battle and Score Attack modes any easier, I can tell you that!
ReplyDeleteOh, and, yes, Zoo Keeper 3D has yet to be released outside of Japan, sadly. And considering its Japanese release happened long ago (I think it was a near-launch title), I have a feeling that means it'll never be released elsewhere :|
How could it suck looking like that? I've wanted to play the original for ages now but it's not available on any systems I own :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lot of fun! May I ask what you didn't like about the DS version of Zoo Keeper, though? That's the version I have
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, Simon? Go out and get yourself a DS lite. That way, you could play either the GBA or the DS versions of the game :)
ReplyDeleteI've just always found it too easy. Ex: in the normal mode, I feel like I could keep playing it for days without seeing a "Game Over," which isn't the case with the normal mode in the GBA version.
ReplyDeleteThat said, it's been a while since I played it, so maybe I should return to it soon and make sure my mind isn't just playing tricks on me.
Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong playing the DS version!
So that Encho Battle mode is literally single player Zookeeper Battle. Seems good, since Zookeeper Battle is online multiplayer-only for the most part and has free-to-play time limits.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me about it is the Lucky bonus system. Whenever the "Lucky" animal turns out to be a Hippo or a Elephant, this means you lose a source of Defense, which is the most important stat (no point in having over 300ATK if the defense turns out poor).
It's annoying enough when somehow there's a huge difference in defense between players after a HippoElephant turn, but Boss CPU characters have a set large amount of ATK and DEF. Thus, getting a HippoElephant turn against a CPU boss is practically a instant loss. Does Encho Battle have this sort of unfairness?
Hey there, HE. You're talking about the iOS version, right? If so, I've yet to play that version, but your description of it here does sound awfully similar to the Encho Battle mode in the 3DS version.
ReplyDeleteAlso, YES, it does suck in this game when the "Lucky" animal is the hippo or elephant--or at least that's how it's seemed to me when I've played it.
The thing is, in the 3DS version, at least, it says the "Lucky" animal gives you both offense and defense. Is that the case in the iOS version, too?
Regardless, it doesn't seem to matter much, as I definitely seem to suffer when either the hippo or elephant are the "Lucky" animal :|
Hm. I'd love to try this one out.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it really is too bad no one's decided to bring it to NA, Justin. I think it would do especially well as an eShop game. Even at $20 it would be a far better value than the similar (and also Japan-only) Touch Detective: Funghi's Big Breed, IMO. Of course, I have a feeling a lot of gamers would balk at dropping even $20 for a puzzle game like this these days, so maybe that's why it continues to languish in Japan?
ReplyDeleteYes, the iOS/Android/FB Zookeeper Battle plays the same as you explained Encho mode to be.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I wonder, which version came out first--the 3DS one or the mobile one? It would be interesting to know which inspired the other.
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you have any idea as to why the hippo or elephant being "Lucky" serves to negatively impact the player? is it because the points are divided up equally as offense and defense, and thus the player winds up with fewer defense points that he/she otherwise would receive?
I kind of was operating under the assumption that you got twice as many points as usual for "Lucky" animals--so, the same number of defense points for a "Lucky" hippo, for instance, but with just as many offense points, too --but I have a feeling that's not actually the case.
Sorry for the novel-length response. Couldn't help myself :)
The Lucky animal gives both attack and defense. Since only two out of seven animal types are worth defense, having one of the attack-animals as the Lucky one gives you a better chance of enduring attacks.
ReplyDeleteAh, that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation!
ReplyDelete