If you are looking for a game that offers something a little bit different then you simply have to check out Zeno Clash. This is a first-person action game set in a fantasy punk world which challenges you to fistfight a range of bizarre aliens. It is fresh, original and loads of fun.

You play as Ghat and you are one of the children of Father-Mother a creepy hermaphrodite creature that has spawned a loyal clan. You live in the city of Halstedom but the game opens with your flight from your home with the help of the beautiful Deadra. You journey into the dangerous lands of Zenozoik where ever more bizarre and deadly characters lurk.

As the game unfolds via your journey and a series of playable flashbacks you begin to unravel the captivating story. Zeno Clash is packed with fascinating characters and the plot is gripping and imaginative. It is not a particularly long game but it is deeply engaging and very fresh and unique.

The gameplay is skilfully designed. First-person melee combat can be a tricky thing to pull off but developers Ace Team have done a wonderful job with a fist fighting combat system that feels intuitive and satisfying. You can unleash various combinations of punches, throw enemies and dodge and counter their advances. The combat is surprisingly fluid. There are also weapons in the game but they all have super long reload rates which render them of limited usefulness.

The action is linear in nature and you must travel through a series of interesting environments with set stages which challenge you to fight opponents. The fight stages are always set within an enclosed area and often challenge you to beat multiple opponents at the same time. Different enemies have varied styles of attack and you’ll need to keep your wits about you and master the combat system to emerge alive.

The art style is perhaps the most striking thing about this game. It is a mix of fantasy and punk with cobbled together buildings and outfits. The creatures that populate this world are fantastic and show real imagination on the part of the artists. Most of them are like skewed versions of animals you may recognise or animal and human hybrids. The alien world is also interesting to explore and there are some stunning backdrops.

The bizarre weapon design really stands out as well. There are various pistols, rifles and crossbows as well as exploding skulls. The weapons look as though they have been crafted from bits of random junk and the design really adds something to the overall effect and helps the world to hang together.

Zeno Clash is an independent game which was developed by Ace Team. They used the Source engine to make it and you can download the game via Valve’s Steam system. It only costs $20 and you get an engaging single player adventure that lasts a few hours and a series of additional tower challenges in which you have to fight your way to the top of a tower by beating up various aliens.

This is one of the best indie titles in recent memory and well worth buying for gamers who want something new.