Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX
- Developers: Sensible Software
- Publishers: Hewson Consultants
Insects in Space (1989): A Bug-Filled Blast from the Past
Released in 1989, Insects in Space is a side-scrolling shooter that pits the player against hordes of alien insects in a battle for the survival of Earth. The game was developed by British studio Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Insects in Space is set in the year 2049, where Earth has been invaded by a swarm of giant insects from outer space. The player takes control of a lone spaceship and must fight their way through six increasingly difficult levels to defeat the insect menace and save the planet.
The gameplay is simple yet addictive. The player’s spaceship can move left and right, and shoot in eight directions. The player must use their ship’s weapons to destroy the waves of insects that attack from all sides. The insects come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique attack patterns.
In addition to the standard insects, the player must also contend with larger boss enemies at the end of each level. These bosses are much more difficult to defeat than the regular insects, and require the player to use all of their skills and weapons to survive.
Insects in Space is a challenging game, but it is also a fair one. The player’s ship has a limited amount of health, and if it is hit too many times, it will be destroyed. However, the player can collect power-ups that will increase their ship’s health and firepower.
The game’s graphics are simple but effective. The insects are all well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and colorful. The music is also catchy and memorable.
Insects in Space was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and charming graphics. The game has since been ported to a number of other platforms, including the Game Boy, Wii, and Nintendo Switch.
Gameplay
Insects in Space is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player controls a spaceship that can move left and right, and shoot in eight directions. The player must use their ship’s weapons to destroy the waves of insects that attack from all sides.
The game is divided into six levels, each with its own unique environment and boss enemy. The levels become increasingly difficult as the player progresses, with the later levels featuring more challenging enemies and more complex level design.
In addition to the standard insects, the player must also contend with larger boss enemies at the end of each level. These bosses are much more difficult to defeat than the regular insects, and require the player to use all of their skills and weapons to survive.
The player’s ship has a limited amount of health, and if it is hit too many times, it will be destroyed. However, the player can collect power-ups that will increase their ship’s health and firepower.
Power-Ups
There are a variety of power-ups that the player can collect in Insects in Space. These power-ups include:
- Speed Up: Increases the speed of the player’s ship.
- Spread Gun: Fires a spread of three shots instead of one.
- Laser: Fires a powerful laser beam that can pierce through multiple enemies.
- Shield: Protects the player’s ship from enemy fire.
- Extra Life: Gives the player an extra life.
Enemies
Insects in Space features a wide variety of enemies, each with their own unique attack patterns. The most common enemies are the small, flying insects that attack in swarms. These insects can be easily destroyed with a single shot, but they can be overwhelming if the player is not careful.
Other enemies include larger, more powerful insects, such as spiders, scorpions, and beetles. These insects can take more punishment than the smaller insects, and they can also attack with more powerful weapons.
The boss enemies at the end of each level are the most challenging enemies in the game. These bosses are huge and powerful, and they require the player to use all of their skills and weapons to defeat them.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Insects in Space are simple but effective. The insects are all well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and colorful. The game’s music is also catchy and memorable.
Legacy
Insects in Space was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and charming graphics. The game has since been ported to a number of other platforms, including the Game Boy, Wii, and Nintendo Switch.
Insects in Space is a classic side-scrolling shooter that is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is a challenging but fair game with simple yet addictive gameplay. If you are a fan of the genre, then you owe it to yourself to check out Insects in Space.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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