Alien Storm ( Mega Drive )

[Leon Retro]

I would love someone to write a really spiteful piece about how Sega ruined their Christmas by some misguided parent forcing this on their child! Boffins don't desert me now!

I bet there are countless people who's parents bought them crappy games for xmas, and they had to grin and bare it!

I can't recall ever getting a dodgy game for xmas. I always made it quite clear what I wanted. Alien Storm was actually a xmas present, alongside Bare Knuckle!

I must have completed Alien Storm countless times in the first month, and not once did I get bored ... That's the sign of a good game!

[JazzFunk]

I used to love this game. Whilst it wasn't quite as fun to play as Golden Axe, there was something about the weird alien atmosphere that made me return to it more than GA. The music is still fantastic, especially on the 'running' levels.

One of the coolest things about this game is the intro screen - the way the logo slams together a few times before illuminating the title still looks pretty neat.

[Leon Retro]

I used to love this game. Whilst it wasn't quite as fun to play as Golden Axe, there was something about the weird alien atmosphere that made me return to it more than GA. The music is still fantastic, especially on the 'running' levels.

One of the coolest things about this game is the intro screen - the way the logo slams together a few times before illuminating the title still looks pretty neat.

Golden Axe is definitely the winner in the popularity stakes

Alien Storm does have a great hypnotic atmosphere to it. It's the strange aliens, metalic eerie music, and bright neon visuals, which combine to make it so ambient.

It's one of those games where the little touches make all the difference. It could be just another scrolling fighter, with a few lasers and aliens, but the humour, imagination, and sheer fun injected into the game, makes it a classic. The same kind of sentiments could be used to describe why Golden Axe is sooo much better than similar titles!

I played it through it with a friend today, and we really enjoyed ourselves. I could play it again tomorrow- it's just such a laugh!

[adam_the_browndog]

golden axe. but instead it's aliens

[Radirgyman]

Alien storm is cool but my current FAV is Alien soldier!

[Duddyroar]

Alien Storm is a fantastic game.

Hinckley Leisure Centre had a cabinet which I pumped quite a bit of pocket money into when I was a nipper. I was a massive fan of Golden Axe at the time and the game felt like a follow-up. When the Megadrive conversion was confirmed I was in heaven - even more so when I obtained the Japanese import from KC's Consoles in Loughborough. I was a little disappointed that the MD version didn't retain the excellent attract scene of the arcade, but it was a minor problem. Otherwise it was very close to the original.

I always thought the Mean Machines team were a little harsh on the game, but they do have a point - it is very easy, but no more easier then Golden Axe was, and they loved that.

Personally it remains one of my all-time favourite Megadrive games. I wish Sega would release a collection of their arcade games rather than a collection of Megadrive titles that anyone can get off ebay and play. Just imagine a disc packed with arcade perfect titles like Alien Storm, Golden Axe 1 + 2, DD Crew, Rad Mobile, Arabian Fight, Dynamite Dux, etc...

[Tirian]

Oh, it was a good game, there's no denying that. But far, far, far too easy. My friend had it, and we'd dig it out now and again when we were bored and just wanted to play something where you didn't have to think at all. Or look at the screen. I swear you could just about get through the game with just blind button mashing.

That and Castle of Illusion were probably just about the easiest games going. Perhaps we should have a new thread to fight out what exactly was the easiest MD game ...

[Duddyroar]

Don't go hating on Castle of Illusion now...

[Leon Retro]

Don't go hating on Castle of Illusion now...

I love easy games, and Castle of Illusion is a brilliant example.

Any game that frustrates, or is overly difficult, I can't stand. All games should have a simple mode, and an extreme mode for masochists.

The main reason I love Alien Storm is because of the visuals, design, and the smile it puts on my face. Sometimes atmosphere and sheer blasting action, is enough to make a great game.

There are loads of easy 16bit titles, and also many hard-as-nails soul destroying evil ones.

It would make for a good topic. Hard games are very interesting, because some people conquer them, and make lesser mortals feel pathetic!

[Emir]

This was one of my very first games I got with my MD. Absolutely loved it, but aint played it for soddin' ages. Think I'll pick up a JPN copy soon. Anyone know the going rate?

[Leon Retro]

This was one of my very first games I got with my MD. Absolutely loved it, but aint played it for soddin' ages. Think I'll pick up a JPN copy soon. Anyone know the going rate?

I think it's very cheap. The Pal and Genesis versions are a couple of quid!

The Japanese Box is fantastic!

[Tirian]

This was one of my very first games I got with my MD. Absolutely loved it, but aint played it for soddin' ages. Think I'll pick up a JPN copy soon. Anyone know the going rate?

Certainly don't pay more than a fiver plus postage. I would imagine you ought to be able to get it for less than that even.

[Emir]

Cool. Some cheap alien slaying it is then.