The Complete Guide to Spectrum Games - Part 12
April 1st, 2008 by NathanYou know how we’re actually quite lucky that Codemasters don’t allow distribution of their games, so I can use it as an excuse not to review all their ‘Advanced Simulators’? Well, unfortunately the same thing didn’t happen with the word ‘alien’. There are, in fact, more than one or two such games. So go get some snacks, and a nice big glass of Fanta, because this is gonna be a long one. (Oo-er.)
This is a little interesting to look at. Look at those walls! All bright and cartoony, and not a bit of colour clash. So why am I controlling a piece of fluff dodging bits of vaguely-animated mould? And why do I only get one bomb? And most importantly, what am I supposed to do when I’ve collected all the collectibles? Snot out of ten.
1982. Oh lordy, this is going to be hideous, isn’t it? If I’m lucky it’ll have UDGs, but I expect it’ll be all text. And slow text. With beeping. And nineteen pages of instructions. With beeping. Don’t make me go in there, please!
Oh no, and it’s actually based on the film!
I managed to take this screenshot before the incessant high-pitched beeping forced me to hit reset. Do yourself a favour and never ever load this game.
Oh, this is good. There’s music! It’s not very good music, but it’s still there! And look, a title screen with an actual picture!
So, we’ve got a reasonably famous little game here, based rather more effectively on the film than JRS’s abomination. Using only a menu, you have to try to save as many of the Nostromo’s crew as you can from the rampaging alien. It’s quite tricky, though, because the characters don’t just do what you tell them. Every command, be it moving or using items, takes a second or two for them to follow, and this isn’t a game where you can hang around thinking about things - it’s real-time, and the alien really is coming to get you.
There are only a few minor annoyances, like not being able to see anyone you aren’t controlling, and also not having a clue how the ship is laid out is a major problem for your first few goes. But once you get into it, it’s as riveting as the film and as a game, it’s definitely more Alien than Alien 3.
Alien [1] - VideoSpectrum, 1985
Your guess is as good as mine.
Alien [2] - VideoSpectrum, 1986
Ooh, some graphics this time! And also… BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP*reset*click.
Don’t go thinking it’s all over now you’re at the bottom of the page, folks! Now, for the first time in absolutely ages, we’ve got a multi-page article. Will this deluge of crap games never end?
Popularity: 64% [?]
April 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am
Awesome Mega Speccy ALIEN Reviews!
I doff my wig in your general direction
April 1st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Wrong screenshot is shown for Alien - Mind Games, 1984
April 1st, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Ditto “Alien Curse”. Can’t blame you for getting them all mixed up.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
This is why I shouldn’t post articles at three in the morning. The screenies should all be right now. Thanks Eq!
April 1st, 2008 at 10:07 pm
“You know how we’re actually quite lucky that Codemasters don’t allow distribution of their games, so I can use it as an excuse not to review all their ‘Advanced Simulators’?”
Hey, hold on! I’m not having that! You promised a review of every Spectrum game ever, not a review of every Spectrum game that isn’t distribution denied. In fact, you can’t even use that as an excuse, seeing as you have reviewed no less than two “distribution denied” titles in this part.
Therefore I respectfully demand that every Spectrum game - including tons of budget-priced absolutely brilliant advanced simulators (and Alien Death Mine Massacre XII and Alien Abduction Simulator from the CGC) - is reviewed by yourself.
Just remember to delete those distribution denied games after you’ve finished reviewing them, eh?
“I’ve a horrible feeling that phrase’ll be on my tombstone.”
No, your tombstone will read:
‘Here lies Nathan. He never did finish reviewing all those Spectrum games.’
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Well, I’ve just checked and it turns out there are, shockingly, only three Simulators in the As, and I think I’ve got them all. (On tape! On tape! Don’t sue me!) So I suppose I can put those in the end-of-letter round-up (which is going to be longer than the Alien Special at this rate).
As for the CGC entries, well, er… I’ll definitely get back to those at some point, perhaps in their own ’special’ section. After I’ve dealt with the numbered games. And all the Spanish text adventures.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Eth eth eth eth. Lawks! Schminky pinky CHRIS WADDLE.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Alien - scorchio!
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 am
you’re a genius
whoever did this site
utter genius
bookmarked this bad boy
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
you know, im very very hungover, but whoever did this writes the funniest reviews too
you’re a genius
should be sitting with mr gorman on the tv
May 27th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
“should be sitting with mr gorman on the tv”
Surely the sofa would be move comfy?
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