OP5NONONF9O5PNRNONONONORONO3YNON. No don't worry I haven't written this
review in ancient Navaho like in that episode of the X-Files, it's one
of the 32 character pass codes you'll have to input in this gameif you don't have enough
backup memory in your Saturn.
Anyway on with the review. If this game had come out six months ago when the
Playstation version did it would have been a much bigger seller, because
now it's been pitched against Exhumed and it's
fighting a losing battle. The graphics are nice, movement is smooth and
glitch free and they've done a good job of creating an environment that
recreates the atmosphere of the Alien films, but it really could have done
with some of the graphical touches of it's competitior. Some cool lighting
effects would have really suited this game.
Gameplay wise I think there are
also some major flaws. The biggest being that the main enemies are those
crawling face hugger things. Most of the time they come out of nowhere and
attack you without you even seeing them and you often find yourself spinning
round firing aimlessly in the hope you might score a hit. The other flaw
is that the game is impossible without having at least the shotgun. Unfortunately
there are very few ammo pick ups and if you find yourself up against a couple
of the fully grown aliens and only have 3 shotgun cartridges left then you're
dead mate. The big guys take twenty shots each with the pistol so you may
aswell resign yourself to your fate.
If you can put up with the flaws though it's still an interesting doom clone.
There's lots of activating computer control panels, and blowing up barrels
of toxic fluid aswell as the usual secret rooms and weapons. There's a big
lab on level 5 that has a load of aliens contained by big glass walls.
If you shoot the glass it smashes and you find the place full of aliens and
face huggers, if you've got one of the big guns you can create some serious
carnage and have the floors covered in green alien acid blood. If you've
only got the pistol though - run.
The sound effects are ok and the music is all ambient techno style which is nice and moody but maybe a bit dull when the action starts hotting up. Overall if you're a real doom clone nut your bound to enjoy it, otherwise I'd say go for Exhumed instead. But if you're a member of a certain video hire place then pick up Alien Trilogy and you'll get a good few days play.
Jon M UK:R
