Alien Syndrome
System: NES
Release Date: December 1989
Developer: Sanritsu
Publisher: Tengen
Genre: Shoot ‘em Up
We now move on to the unlicensed NES port of Alien Syndrome. We saw this on the Sega Master System a long time ago, now we’ll play the inferior version. The point of the game is the same. You need to walk around levels, rescue hostages, kill aliens, and eradicate a boss.
You only have one button to press, and that’s the B Button to shoot. Enemies are slow in the first level and become quicker and spawn more rapidly as you move through the space stations. The screen is constantly scrolling as you move. You can find maps on the wall around levels, as well as weapons.
All the weapons seemed to be of the same strength. The Laser was still my preferred weapon, as it would shoot through enemies. The Fireball gun shot a small projectile that cancels if you shoot again. The Flamethrower can be continuously fired by holding the button down.
Once you save twelve hostages, you need to make it to the exit of the level and fight the boss. They were all very easy and didn’t give much trouble. You get a few hits before you’re sent to the game over screen, but unless you’re playing stupid, you won’t take much damage.
Graphics: 1.0
The graphics are bad. I’ll go so far as to say they are worse than the Master System version. The only upside is the continuously scrolling screen instead of rooms.
Sound: 1.0
The music isn’t very good and the shooting noises are not, either.
Gameplay: 1.5
It feels like an extra stripped down port. The guns don’t feel any different from one another.
Difficulty: 1.0
It’s way too easy to make your way through the stations and beat the boss.
Fun Factor: 1.0
I found this to be a lot more boring and less fun than the Master System.
Overall Grade: 1.1
Alien Syndrome earns a D. Stay away from this port, it’s poorly done.