Zatikon is an online multiplier game developed by Gabe Jones and published by Chronic Logic

Chronic Logic

Chronic Logic LLC is an indie video game developer and publisher located in Santa Cruz, California. It was founded in 2001 by Alex Austin and Ben Nichols after Austin's Bridge Builder became popular. Later, Josiah Pisciotta joined the company...

, the independent publisher and developer responsible for Gish

Gish (video game)

Gish is a 2D PC platform game developed by Alex Austin, Edmund McMillen and Josiah Pisciotta and distributed by Chronic Logic, Stardock and other distributors. A sequel was announced, but subsequently canceled in late 2009 when Edmund left Cryptic Sea....

 and three commercial sequels to Bridge Builder

Bridge Builder

Bridge Builder is a series of computer games developed and published by Chronic Logic. Bridge Builder is the first in the series, followed by Pontifex, Pontifex 2 , and Bridge It. The object of each game is to construct a bridge which a train may cross over, given a limited budget and available...

.

Gameplay

Like chess, Zatikon is a turn-based game that takes place on a grid. Using units they deploy from a castle at their end of the board, the players try to move onto the castle of their opponent. Instead of moving only one unit each turn, the players get commands, which they can use to move multiple units or to have a single unit take several actions. Each unit has five characteristics:

• Actions, which determine how many times it can move in a given turn;
• Life, which determines how much damage it can take;
• Power, which determines how much damage it inflicts with each attack;
• Armor, which reduces the amount of damage it takes from each attack; and
• Deployment cost, which determines how many commands it costs to deploy.

Most units can attack enemy units, though how they attack varies. Archers, catapults, and many wizards can attack units several squares away. Generals and knights can only attack adjacent units. So can warriors, but they attack all enemies in range simultaneously.

In addition to attacks, many units have special abilities. For example, the shield maiden can take damage for its allies, the priest can convert enemy units, and the swordsman can block attacks.

Gameplay Modes

The game has five different modes:

• Single player constructed, in which one player plays against a computer-controlled opponent that gets stronger each time they win and weaker each time they lose;
• Cooperative constructed, in which two players play against the computer opponent;
• One-versus-one constructed, in which two players compete using armies they have designed;
• Two-versus-two constructed, in which teams of two compete using armies they have designed; and
• Random, in which two players compete using randomly-generated armies.

In the constructed modes, players design their army under two constraints. First, their army can only use units worth 1,000 points. Since each unit has different point values, the players must decide whether to have several less powerful units, a few strong units, or some compromise between the two. They also try to create armies with units that complement each other. For example, a player might combine several cheap units with a captain, which can grant them free attacks by attacking a unit within their range.

Second, players can only add units to their army if they have recruited that type of unit. Players recruit units using gold they win when they defeat computer-controlled opponents or complete a game with a human opponent.

Business Model

Zatikon was released as demoware on November 7, 2008. In April 2009, Chronic Logic released the original version as freeware

Freeware

Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...

. However, players can buy expansions to gain access to additional units. As of November 2010, the game has two expansions: Crusades, which adds 36 units, and Legions, which adds 18 units.

Critical Reception

The game received positive reviews. Steve Blanch of independent game review site Bytten named it the best strategy game of 2009, describing it as "one of the most absorbing strategy titles I (have) played in a good while." In his review, he praised the number of units, explaining that "the diversity of their attributes and skills ensures that truly no two games will play out the same way." Out of Eight said "the large variety of units makes for some innovative and truly unique strategies."

Several critics praised the game's 90-second time limit. Mac Gamer said the timer "heightens tension by creating an immediacy for quick, decisive action." Out of Eight added that the timer "cut(s) down on the game time, which is already pretty short (a typical game takes 10-15 minutes I would say)."

Most reviewers criticized the game's sound and graphics. Gas Bandit Gaming described the graphics as redimentary, saying "the playing field and all units consist of tiled images with only the most very basic of animation occurring during moves and attacks." Adrenaline Vault agreed, observing "the graphics and audio are just placeholders for the interface."

Two reviews say the game has a steep learning curve. TestFreaks points out that "there are a lot of characters to study, and it takes time to understand all their strengths and weaknesses." GamesInfo.net reports "that playing online
the first few times is likely to be very similar to learning chess. That is to say, you’re likely to lose over and over and over."