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Summary

• Release Year: 1987
• Genres: Arcade, Shooter
• Platforms: Arcade, Sharp X68000
• Developers: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
• Publishers: Micomsoft, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.

Alien Syndrome (1987): A Retrospective

Introduction

Alien Syndrome is a classic arcade shooter that was released in 1987 by Sega. The game is set in a futuristic space colony that has been overrun by aliens. The player takes control of one of two soldiers who must fight their way through the colony, rescuing hostages and defeating the alien hordes.

Alien Syndrome was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best arcade shooters of all time. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and iconic soundtrack have made it a favorite among retro gamers.

Gameplay

Alien Syndrome is a top-down shooter in which the player controls one of two soldiers, Axel or Judy. The player must fight their way through six levels, each of which is filled with aliens. The player can use a variety of weapons to defeat the aliens, including guns, grenades, and flamethrowers.

The player must also rescue hostages who are scattered throughout the levels. Rescuing hostages earns the player points and extra lives. The player can also find power-ups that give them temporary abilities, such as increased speed or invincibility.

Levels

The six levels of Alien Syndrome are:

1. The Outcolony – The player must fight their way through the outcolony, rescuing hostages and defeating aliens.
2. The Sewers – The player must fight their way through the sewers, rescuing hostages and defeating aliens.
3. The Factory – The player must fight their way through the factory, rescuing hostages and defeating aliens.
4. The Laboratory – The player must fight their way through the laboratory, rescuing hostages and defeating aliens.
5. The Control Room – The player must fight their way to the control room and defeat the alien queen.
6. The Escape – The player must escape from the colony before it is destroyed.

Enemies

Alien Syndrome features a variety of enemies, including:

• Grunts – The most common type of enemy, grunts are weak and easy to kill.
• Spiders – Spiders are faster and more agile than grunts, and they can shoot webs to slow the player down.
• Flying saucers – Flying saucers can fly around the screen, shooting lasers at the player.
• Tanks – Tanks are slow and heavily armored, but they can fire powerful shots.
• Super aliens – Super aliens are the strongest type of enemy in the game. They are fast, powerful, and durable.

Bosses

Alien Syndrome features two boss battles:

• The Alien Queen – The Alien Queen is the final boss of the game. She is a large and powerful alien who can shoot lasers, summon reinforcements, and regenerate her health.
• The Time Bomb – The Time Bomb is a giant bomb that is set to destroy the colony. The player must defeat the Time Bomb before it explodes.

Reception

Alien Syndrome was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and iconic soundtrack. Alien Syndrome was also one of the first arcade games to feature a two-player cooperative mode.

Alien Syndrome has been ported to a variety of home platforms, including the Sega Master System, the Sega Genesis, and the PlayStation 2. The game has also been released on mobile devices.

Legacy

Alien Syndrome is considered to be one of the best arcade shooters of all time. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and iconic soundtrack have made it a favorite among retro gamers. Alien Syndrome has also been influential in the development of other video games, such as Contra and Metal Slug.

Conclusion

Alien Syndrome is a classic arcade shooter that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and iconic soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a retro gamer or a newcomer to the genre, Alien Syndrome is sure to provide you with hours of enjoyment.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots