Talk:Zanac

Box Art in Infobox?

I noticed that a previous user replaced what might have been the box art for Zanac in the Infobox to two screenshots - one for the MSX version and one for the NES version. The rationale behind said change was apparently because the MSX version was released first, and no box art for the MSX (original, not MSX2) version exists. Hence, it seemed appropriate to include a screenshot of the title.

However, I am deciding to go back to the box art for the NES version for several reasons: First, Wikipedia Video Games Project guidelines recommend box art be used for the infobox. Second, the NES version of Zanac, because of the sheer popularity of the NES compared to the MSX (which is little-known outside of Japan), is the most widely-known version of the game, so having said box art would be appropriate. Finally, it is NOT appropriate to have more than one picture displayed in the infobox.MuZemike (talk) 18:44, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

Nice work removing my additions!!! In fact, I really mean it, I'm not being sarcastic... I really think you stand correct! Regarding the two images in the infobox I do disagree because they look like a single, but this discussion would lead us nowhere since we both agree that the cover box is the best (single) picture to go there! I also liked the extra content you added to the article: Zanac really deserved a better article than the previous versions. I just don't know if we should add the title screen screenshots somewhere or leave them to be deleted due to being orphaned non-free images... What do you think? Regards Loudenvier (talk) 21:49, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

We could possibly fit one of them in there (either NES or MSX), but I don't think it's a good idea to go anywhere beyond that, as the article would start to look a bit cluttered, as with what I think is starting to happen with my edit of The Guardian Legend. Also, thank you for the kind comments. BTW, I just put this up for a peer review to see what else can be improved. MuZemike (talk) 22:08, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Reviews

I referenced from two reviews in the "Reception" section of this article - one from IGN and one from VC Reviews. Both articles pertain to the release of the game on the Virtual Console. Both authors work for their respective companies, and both operate their own blogs.

If anyone can assist in coming up with better reviews for this game, preferably from its initial release back in 1986 or 1987, that would be greatly helpful, even though that will be difficult. MuZemike (talk) 03:59, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

I removed the VC Reviews one, as that is too iffy on verifiability to be included here. MuZemike (talk) 03:24, 1 July 2008 (UTC)

Could use a little more clarity that the reviews are recent ones from the game's Virtual Console release. 68.102.77.56 (talk) 21:10, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Added "in retrospect" in the first paragraph. MuZemike (talk) 04:18, 11 July 2008 (UTC)

Wikiproject videogames assessment

I've left the article at start class for now, for B-class I'd suggest:

• The lead should be two full paragraphs summarizing the article, leave until you've completed the rest so it can done in one go.
• The use of subheadings is ultimately down to the writer, but I'd suggest looking again at whether so many are needed, for instance the 'artificial intelligence' heading under gameplay. If it were me I'd have none in that section. Also watch out for very short paragraphs, for instance the NES section under development - it could be tagged to the end of the previous paragraph.

• I combined everything into the gameplay section. MuZemike (talk) 19:51, 1 July 2008 (UTC)

• Reception is extremely short, here's another review from allgame: [1]. Try to wring as much information from them as possible within reason.

If C-class were in use I'd reclassify the article as C, but unfortunately the project hasn't received enough participation in that discussion, please drop by and add your thoughts. Someoneanother 09:40, 1 July 2008 (UTC)

Wikiproject videogames assessment #2

It's all but B-class, I've upped it to B-class in the hope that the following suggestions are dealt with when it is convenient:

• Article lead (reception aspect): "It is known" rather than saying "known", could you change it to something like "it was praised for"?
• Gameplay - "The gameplay in Zanac".
• "The goal is to simply fight through twelve stages (areas) and to destroy the System.[4]" 'Simply' is a judgement, if stages is too jargony then replace it with areas, rather than having both.
• "hit by an enemy or any projectile" It's safe to assume any projectile would result in losing a life.
• "the player has lost all his/her their lives".
• "As the main cannon's power level increases by collecting these power-ups is upgraded," It's already established that the power ups are what cause upgrades.
• "The player can also operates utilize a specialty weapon, which is also rapid-fire and operated by pressing a separate button or key separately to the main cannon.
• "There are eight different specialty weapons in total, conveniently contained in numbered from zero to seven power-ups. The player can change the type of specialty weapon equipped by collecting a power-up that has a number on it which designates the type of weapon with a different number." 'Conveniently' is another judgement. This section is a little wordy.
• "The eight specialty These weapons range from multi-directional bullets to shields to and indestructible projectiles.[8]"
• "In addition, large enemy ships from time to time, large enemy ships also acting as "mini-bosses" appear as "mini-bosses" throughout the game. These ships are more resistant to the player's weaponry; all bullets slightly inflict minor damage and are repelled by then bounce off the mini-bosses, which change color as they become damaged.[10] These mini-bosses change color as it becomes more damaged.
• "The distinguishing aspect of Zanac's gameplay is its unique enemy artificial intelligence (AI). The System's aggressiveness and AI, as well as and the game's difficulty, depends on the actions of the player(comma) such as attack pattern and skill level.[6] Thus, the AI The game can make the game much more increases the difficulty for experts or but easier decreases it for inexperienced players." Once you've said artificial intelligence, there's no need to repeat it as an acronym - the 'ai' is the game's difficulty level.
• "resulting in more and greater numbers of harder tougher enemies".
• Reception: The last sentence of the first paragraph could instead be used as the first sentence of the second paragraph - leaves two fairly small but equally sized paragraphs.

Nice work on the article. Someoneanother 20:10, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

MSX screenshot

I've reintroduced the MSX screenshot for the following reasons:

• Historicity: Zanac was released on the MSX computer first
• Popularity: Zanac was (probably) more popular on the MSX computer, as it was almost unknown here in Brazil in the NES version (we were 150 million people back then), and the MSX was HUGELY popular in Japan too.
• Completeness: There's a screenshot from the NES and one on the PS, why not one on the original target system?

I think those rationale to be sufficient to keep the screenshot, but we may think about moving it to another section because I only put it where it is now for purely aesthetic value :-) Loudenvier (talk) 18:22, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Zanac 2nd version not mentioned

A year after the 1st Zanac, a Zanac Second Version (aka Zanac 2) for the MSX1 was released and that isn't mentioned on the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.86.0.74 (talk) 00:43, 27 January 2010 (UTC)