Just finished the demo and I'm looking forward to the full version. This is a text based RPG - with static illustrations - which combines elements of rpg's and choose your own adventure books (remember those?). This is an RPG in a true sense - the choices you make really are a reflection of who your character is. The only caveat is that the inventory function didn't work part way through (though you won't need it to complete what's available of the game world in the demo). My only criticism is that occasionally I found the gameplay a touch formulaic. Move here. Talk to these people. Explore to the east, west, north, south, etc.. I guess that's just inherent in the genre, perhaps? This is 95% reading and 5% illustration. If that's not your thing, no reason to keep... reading (ahem). If you rememeber old text rpgs and choose your own adventure books from decades ago, you have nothing to loose from downloading the demo. Oh yes, one more thing - the Nicholas Roder soundtrack is great!
I purchased Ziggurat on an uninformed whim, and I'm glad I did! It looks great (even on my dated gaming specs), the music - while sparse - is atmospheric, and the level generator is still surprising me with new room layouts, even after 40 attempts at the tower. Like some other reviews have mentioned the game does get repetitive, and the AI requires little more than circle-strafe, though I felt the game provided enough challenge on 'normal' difficulty. Despite this, the game retains that addictive 'just one more level/room/floor' quality that keeps me coming back. One thing that helps maintain interest is the constant unlocking of 'perks' (skill and stat boosts, combat modifiers), new weapons, and new characters - all of whom have some gameplay element unique to them to distinguish themselves from one another. One thing I hope for in a future update is that the main quest had more floors before it was over - 5 floors on easy and normal, 6 on hard, though there is an 'unlimited' mode once you beat the game on 'normal'. The only caveat I will give is that the game has crashed on me two or three times, losing my progress as a result. From reading the forums, it seems other users have reported the game crashing as well. Not the end of the world (two or three times out of 40-ish I can forgive); just a heads up. Overall, I am having a lot of fun with Ziggurat. I'm still playing after several run-throughs, and I hope to see a sequel that takes the core concept and expands on it. Recommended.
