Developer: Interactive Binary Illusions

Alien Carnage (1994)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Alien Carnage: A Retro Sci-Fi Shooter That Still Packs a Punch

Originally released in 1994 as Halloween Harry, Alien Carnage is a side-scrolling platformer that quickly gained a cult following among gamers. Developed by Interactive Binary Illusions and SubZero Software, and distributed by Apogee Software, the game showcased impressive 256-color VGA graphics, a haunting MOD soundtrack, and intense action-packed gameplay.

Story and Setting

Alien Carnage transports players to a distant planet overrun by grotesque alien creatures. The player takes control of Lieutenant Harry Goodman, a lone marine tasked with fighting his way through hordes of extraterrestrial enemies to rescue his fellow soldiers and uncover the secrets behind the alien invasion.

The game is composed of four distinct episodes, each with its own unique environments and challenges. From the claustrophobic corridors of a spaceship to the sprawling caverns of an alien hive, Alien Carnage offers a diverse range of settings to explore and conquer.

Gameplay

Alien Carnage is a side-scrolling platformer at its core, but it incorporates elements of shooter and horror genres to create a truly unique experience. Players must navigate through treacherous levels, blasting away at alien hordes with an arsenal of powerful weapons.

The game features a variety of enemies, each with its own unique abilities and attack patterns. From the swarming Grunts to the towering Brutes, players must adapt their strategies to overcome each encounter.

In addition to the standard shooting mechanics, Alien Carnage also incorporates stealth elements. Players can use the shadows to their advantage, sneaking past enemies or setting up ambushes. This adds a layer of tension and strategy to the gameplay, forcing players to carefully consider their approach.

Graphics and Sound

For a game released in 1994, Alien Carnage boasts impressive 256-color VGA graphics. The environments are detailed and atmospheric, creating a sense of immersion that draws players into the alien world. The character sprites are well-animated, and the alien designs are suitably grotesque and menacing.

The game’s soundtrack is composed entirely of MOD files, which were a popular format for music in early PC games. The music is eerie and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game’s horror-themed setting.

Legacy and Impact

Alien Carnage was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it remains a beloved classic among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game’s unique blend of platforming, shooting, and stealth gameplay, combined with its impressive graphics and sound, sets it apart from other games of its era.

Alien Carnage has been praised for its challenging gameplay, memorable enemies, and immersive atmosphere. It has also been cited as an influence on later games in the platformer and shooter genres.

Re-release and Availability

In 2007, Alien Carnage was released as freeware by John Passfield and 3D Realms. This allowed a new generation of gamers to experience the classic title. In 2014, the game was re-released with Windows support, making it accessible to even more players.

Alien Carnage is available for download from a variety of online sources, including GOG.com and Steam. It can also be played in a web browser using an emulator.

Conclusion

Alien Carnage is a timeless classic that continues to entertain and challenge gamers to this day. Its unique blend of platforming, shooting, and stealth gameplay, combined with its impressive graphics and sound, creates an unforgettable gaming experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering the game for the first time, Alien Carnage is a must-play for anyone who enjoys retro shooters and action-packed platformers.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Flight of the Amazon Queen (1995)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Flight of the Amazon Queen: A Retrospective

Released in 1995 for the Sega Genesis, Flight of the Amazon Queen is a side-scrolling platformer with a unique and interesting story. The game follows Joe King, a pilot for hire who is hired to fly a famous actress to her next job, but ends up in a lightning storm and crashes deep in the Amazon Jungle. In the jungle, Joe uncovers a plot by a mad scientist to take over the world by creating an army of dinosaur women created from Amazon women.

Flight of the Amazon Queen is a challenging but fair platformer, with tight controls and responsive gameplay. The game’s levels are well-designed and varied, and the boss battles are challenging but not impossible. The game’s graphics are also impressive for the time, with detailed sprites and backgrounds.

One of the things that makes Flight of the Amazon Queen unique is its story. The game’s plot is surprisingly complex and well-developed, with multiple twists and turns. The game’s characters are also well-developed and likeable, and the dialogue is well-written.

Another thing that makes Flight of the Amazon Queen unique is its setting. The game is set in the Amazon jungle, and the game’s developers did a great job of capturing the look and feel of the jungle. The game’s levels are filled with lush vegetation and exotic animals, and the game’s music and sound effects are also very atmospheric.

Overall, Flight of the Amazon Queen is a great platformer with a unique and interesting story. The game’s challenging but fair gameplay, well-designed levels, and impressive graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Flight of the Amazon Queen is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls Joe King as he explores the Amazon jungle and fights off dinosaurs and other enemies. The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn, and the gameplay is fast-paced and exciting.

Joe King has a variety of attacks at his disposal, including a punch, a kick, and a gun. He can also jump and climb, and he can use his grappling hook to swing across gaps.

The game’s levels are varied and well-designed, and they offer a good mix of platforming, action, and puzzle-solving. The game’s boss battles are also challenging but fair, and they offer a good sense of accomplishment when defeated.

Story

Flight of the Amazon Queen’s story is surprisingly complex and well-developed, with multiple twists and turns. The game’s plot follows Joe King as he uncovers a plot by a mad scientist to take over the world by creating an army of dinosaur women created from Amazon women.

Along the way, Joe meets a variety of characters, including a beautiful Amazonian warrior named Anya, who helps him on his quest. The game’s dialogue is well-written and the characters are well-developed and likeable.

Graphics and Sound

Flight of the Amazon Queen’s graphics are impressive for the time, with detailed sprites and backgrounds. The game’s character designs are also very good, and the game’s enemies are varied and well-animated.

The game’s music and sound effects are also very good, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and immersion. The game’s soundtrack is composed of a variety of catchy tunes, and the sound effects are well-done and realistic.

Overall

Flight of the Amazon Queen is a great platformer with a unique and interesting story. The game’s challenging but fair gameplay, well-designed levels, and impressive graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Legacy

Flight of the Amazon Queen was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it has since become a cult classic among Sega Genesis fans. The game has been praised for its unique story, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics.

Flight of the Amazon Queen has also been cited as an influence on a number of other games, including the Donkey Kong Country series and the Metroid series. The game’s unique blend of platforming, action, and puzzle-solving has also been praised by critics and fans alike.

Overall, Flight of the Amazon Queen is a great platformer that deserves to be remembered as one of the best games of the Sega Genesis era.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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