After playing Z-Yagyu, Zaboru decided to try Neon Racing, a car racing game. The gameplay was similar to Hang-On, but instead of motorcycles, it featured high-speed cars. The objective was straightforward—race against multiple opponents and secure first place by completing several laps. As he played, he analyzed the mechanics, noting that while the controls were smooth, the game lacked depth. The car handling was decent, and the track designs featured tight turns and long straightaways for speed boosts, but there wasn't anything particularly groundbreaking about it. There were no power-ups, no customization options, and very few environmental hazards that would make the gameplay dynamic.
"Hmm, good game, but nothing special," Zaboru muttered as he maneuvered through the final lap. The AI opponents posed little challenge once he figured out their movement patterns, and the race ended with an easy victory. After finishing in first place, he turned off the game and moved on to the last title—Sun Knight.
The cover art immediately caught his attention. It depicted a majestic knight adorned in a golden helmet, wielding a massive greatsword while standing triumphantly over a defeated demon. The striking image intrigued him, so he wasted no time booting up the game.
"Sony, the Sun Knight, is the chosen warrior of the Sun Church, entrusted with the sacred duty to vanquish the Demon! The dreaded Archdemon Balzack awaits in his demonic castle!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱
Zaboru couldn't help but smirk at the name choice. 'How ironic that they named their hero Sony,' he mused, holding back a chuckle. Despite the amusing name, the game itself looked promising, so he pressed on.
The moment he took control of Sony, he immediately noticed the gameplay bore some resemblance to his own creation, Z-Man, but with unique mechanics that set it apart. The combat was fluid, integrating Sony's abilities seamlessly. The game shifted between different playstyles, alternating between intense beat-em-up sections where Sony had to fight hordes of demons and platforming challenges that required precise jumps and environmental puzzle-solving. The transition between these sections felt natural, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
As he advanced, Zaboru discovered that Sony could acquire different weapons throughout his journey, each with distinct properties. So far, he had found the Sun Shield, which allowed him to block attacks and perform counterstrikes, the Sun Chakram, a spinning blade that could be thrown at enemies, and the Sun Bow, which enabled him to attack from a distance. The variety of weapons encouraged strategic play, as certain enemies and obstacles were easier to handle with specific tools.
Some areas even featured light puzzles, such as using the Sun Chakram to trigger distant levers or solving riddles given by NPCs to unlock secret paths.
Zaboru nodded in approval. "The game is actually really cool. I didn't expect Dad to be able to make something . It's nice." He continued playing for a while longer, testing different strategies and analyzing how the game balanced challenge and reward. The enemy AI was impressive, with demons adapting their attack patterns depending on Sony's actions. The bosses had distinct fighting styles, forcing players to approach each encounter differently. The more he played, the more he realized that Sun Knight had the potential to be one of Sonaya's strongest releases.
One thing he particularly liked was the Knight's Resolve mechanic. When Sony's health dropped below a certain threshold, the game gave the player a brief window of invincibility and increased attack power, allowing for dramatic comebacks.
"Heh, this mechanic makes the game too easy. It takes away some of the challenge, hahaha."
After spending a good amount of time in the game, Zaboru finally stopped playing and turned to the employees who had gathered around him, eager to hear his thoughts.
"Honestly, the games Sonaya has produced aren't bad. Sheriff Juan and Sun Knight, in particular, are really well made and have a lot of potential. They're fun, engaging, and show that Sonaya isn't just blindly throwing games into the market. But..." He let the word linger, making sure everyone was paying attention. "I don't think this will be enough to shake ZAGE's foundation as the leader of the gaming industry."
The employees exchanged glances, feeling reassured yet motivated by their boss's words.
"We need to deliver our March releases properly. This isn't just about staying ahead—it's about proving that ZAGE is the true innovator in gaming. We're not just another company; we're the pioneers of this industry. Sonaya may be making strides, but at the end of the day, they're still newcomers. We're going to remind them why ZAGE is at the top."
The energy in the room shifted. The employees, who had been observing quietly, were now filled with renewed enthusiasm. They knew that their upcoming games needed to make a statement.
Zaboru continued, "We're going to push innovation further than ever before. Sonaya may have their flashy advertisements, but we have the games that define the industry. When we launch our titles, I want people to see that no matter how much Sonaya tries, they'll always be playing catch-up."
The employees nodded, their spirits high as they prepared to leave for the night. Meanwhile, Zaboru remained in his seat, his mind still racing with ideas. Even though he had finished evaluating the MGB games, he wasn't done just yet. There was still much to analyze, and he wanted to make sure he was prepared for whatever Sonaya had planned next.
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