Aliens: The Computer Game (US Version)

Aliens: The Computer Game is a 1986 video game developed and published by Activision for the Commodore 64, Apple II based on the film of the same title. As Activision's UK subsidiary Electric Dreams Software had independently released their own version of the game with the same title,[1] the game was renamed for European release. Initially planned to be released as Aliens: The Second Part.[2], it was finally published under the title Aliens: US Version[3] with ports for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum produced by Mr Micro.

For the Software Studios game, see Aliens: The Computer Game (UK Version).
Aliens: The Computer Game
Developer(s)Activision
Mr. Micro Ltd.
Publisher(s)Activision (US)
Electric Dreams Software (UK)
Producer(s)Brad Fregger
Composer(s)Russell Lieblich
SeriesAlien
Platform(s)Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
ReleaseCommodore 64
Apple II
ZX Spectrum
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Aliens is a series of six minigames strung together via graphical interactive sequences, akin to an adventure game, though the only interaction possible is advancing the dialog, displayed in speech balloons. The minigames are mostly action sequences that involve piloting a ship from Sulaco to the planet's surface, recognizing equipment, and fighting aliens.

Reception

At the time of its release, the game received mixed reviews, including the scores of 85% from Commodore Format,[4] 8/10 (averaged) from Computer and Video Games,[5] 45% from Crash,[6] 5/10 from Sinclair User,[3] 9/10 from Your Sinclair,[3] and 60% from Zzap!64.[7] Info gave the Commodore 64 version four stars out of five: "The aliens are appropriately creepy, and each sequence is well done & plays quite differently from the others".[8]

Retrospective

VentureBeat's Stephen Kleckner commented in a 2014 feature that "as with a lot of compilation-designed titles, Aliens falls into that trap of being a collection of mediocre experiences instead of a game with a singular focus. […] Hardcore fans who own a Commodore 64 should load this one up. Everyone else isn’t missing much that a Let's Play video won't provide."[9] On the other hand, Chris Cummins from Topless Robot wrote in 2010 that "the now-crude graphics aside, it's still arguably the best game based on any of the films in the Alien saga."[10]

Reviews

See also

References
  1. "The Making Of: Aliens". Retro Gamer. No. 40. Imagine. 19 July 2007. p. 74-77.
  2. Retro Gamer issue 4 page 38.
  3. "Aliens US Edition". Ysrnry.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  4. "Commodore Format Magazine Issue 41". Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  5. "Computer and Video Games Magazine Issue 066". Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  6. "Sinclair ZX Spectrum Reviews". spectrumcomputing.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  7. "ZZap!64 Magazine Issue 084". May 1992. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  8. Dunnington, Benn; Brown, Mark R.; Malcolm, Tom (January–February 1987). "64/128 Gallery". Info. pp. 14–21.
  9. "Games of the Alien franchise, Part 1: The bad, the canceled, and the weirdly cool | GamesBeat | Games | by Stephen Kleckner". Venturebeat.com. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  10. "The 15 Greatest Sci-Fi/Horror Games for the Commodore 64". 19 May 2010.
  11. "Asimov's v11n08 (1987 08)".
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