Summary

• Release Year: 1989
• Genres: Arcade, Shooter
• Platforms: Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Game Boy, Sega Master System/Mark III, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000
• Developers: The Bitmap Brothers
• Publishers: Epic/Sony Records, GamesWare, Image Works, Mindscape, Tec Toy, Virgin Games

Xenon 2: Megablast (1989)

Xenon 2: Megablast is a side-scrolling shoot-em-up arcade game developed and published by The Bitmap Brothers in 1989. It is the sequel to the 1988 game Xenon, and was released for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, and ZX Spectrum.

The game is set in the year 2999, and the player takes control of a lone spaceship pilot who must travel through time to defuse five Time Bombs that have been planted by the evil Xenites. The Xenites are a race of aliens who were defeated in the last Galactic Conflict, and they are now seeking revenge.

The player’s ship is armed with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player must use these weapons to defeat the Xenites and their ships, as well as to avoid the obstacles that are scattered throughout the levels.

Xenon 2: Megablast is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging levels, and catchy soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the shoot-em-up genre.

Gameplay

Xenon 2: Megablast is a side-scrolling shoot-em-up game. The player controls a lone spaceship pilot who must travel through time to defuse five Time Bombs that have been planted by the evil Xenites.

The game is played in a two-dimensional plane, and the player’s ship can move left, right, up, and down. The player can also fire weapons in any direction.

The player’s ship is armed with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can switch between weapons at any time, and can also use power-ups to upgrade their weapons.

The player must use their weapons to defeat the Xenites and their ships, as well as to avoid the obstacles that are scattered throughout the levels. The obstacles include asteroids, mines, and enemy fire.

The game is divided into five levels, each of which is set in a different time period. The player must travel through each level and find the Time Bomb, which is hidden in a secret location. Once the player has found the Time Bomb, they must defuse it by shooting it with their weapons.

If the player is hit by enemy fire, they will lose a life. The player has a limited number of lives, and if they lose all of their lives, the game is over.

Weapons

The player’s ship is armed with a variety of weapons, including:

• Lasers: Lasers are the player’s basic weapon. They are fired in a straight line and can be used to destroy enemy ships and obstacles.
• Missiles: Missiles are more powerful than lasers, but they are also slower. Missiles can be used to destroy enemy ships and obstacles, and they can also be used to target specific enemies.
• Bombs: Bombs are the most powerful weapon in the game. They can be used to destroy large groups of enemies and obstacles.

The player can switch between weapons at any time, and can also use power-ups to upgrade their weapons.

Power-ups

There are a variety of power-ups that can be collected throughout the game. These power-ups can be used to upgrade the player’s ship and weapons.

The power-ups include:

• Speed power-up: This power-up increases the speed of the player’s ship.
• Weapon power-up: This power-up increases the power of the player’s weapons.
• Shield power-up: This power-up gives the player’s ship a shield that protects it from enemy fire.
• Extra life power-up: This power-up gives the player an extra life.

The power-ups are scattered throughout the levels, and the player can collect them by flying over them.

Levels

The game is divided into five levels, each of which is set in a different time period. The levels include:

• Level 1: The first level is set in the year 1942, during the Battle of Midway. The player must fly through a Japanese aircraft carrier and destroy the enemy planes and ships.
• Level 2: The second level is set in the year 1812, during the War of 1812. The player must fly through a British frigate and destroy the enemy ships and cannons.
• Level 3: The third level is set in the year 1588, during the Spanish Armada. The player must fly through a Spanish galleon and destroy the enemy ships and cannons.
• Level 4: The fourth level is set in the year 1215, during the Battle of Bouvines. The player must fly through a French castle and destroy the enemy knights and catapults.
• Level 5: The fifth level is set in the year 2999, during the final battle against the Xenites. The player must fly through the Xenite mothership and destroy the Time Bombs.

The levels are all challenging, and the player must use all of their skills to defeat the Xenites and defuse the Time Bombs.

Graphics and sound

Xenon 2: Megablast is a visually impressive game for its time. The graphics are colorful and detailed, and the animation is smooth. The game’s soundtrack is also very good, and it features a variety of catchy tunes.

Conclusion

Xenon 2: Megablast is a classic shoot-em-up game that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging levels, and catchy soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots