Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alien Storm delivers a classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up experience infused with light shooting mechanics, putting players in the shoes of one of three Alien Busters—Karla, Gordon, or Scooter—as they fend off an extraterrestrial invasion. Each character brings a distinct playstyle: Karla strikes a balance between melee and ranged attacks, Gordon wields powerful firearms and can summon an Air Force jet strike, and Scooter relies on quick teleportation and explosive traps to clear crowds. This variety ensures that the gameplay never feels repetitive, inviting players to experiment with different strategies to tackle each mission.

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The game is divided into six main missions (eight in the Genesis version), each spanning multiple stages that range from urban streets littered with hostile aliens to the imposing corridors of the mothership. Enemies grow progressively tougher and more cunning, sometimes hiding inside everyday objects like trashcans, plants, and mailboxes to ambush unsuspecting players. Occasional shooting-gallery segments inside buildings further diversify the pace, challenging players to accurately pick off popping-up aliens under time pressure.

Central to the experience are special character attacks, which consume energy but can turn the tide of battle in an instant. Gordon’s U.S. Air Force jet bombardment carpets the battlefield with explosions, while Scooter’s teleportation bombs decimate clusters of foes. Karla’s energy surge attack unleashes waves of shock that sweep across the screen. Balancing energy reserves with the need to dispatch tougher alien types adds a strategic layer: should you conserve energy for boss fights or unleash your special attack to save precious life points?

Cooperative play is where Alien Storm truly shines, allowing two players to team up and coordinate combos, special moves, and crowd control. Friendly fire is off, so you can focus on perfecting synchronised special attacks—imagine Gordon calling in airstrikes while Scooter sets trap bombs behind escaping aliens. This cooperative synergy not only heightens the fun but also softens the difficulty curve, making the game accessible to newcomers without diminishing the challenge for veterans.

Graphics

Alien Storm’s visuals combine bold, colorful sprites with fluid animations, capturing the late-’80s arcade aesthetic. Character sprites are well-defined and expressive, each delivering satisfying punch and gunfire frames. Enemy designs range from grotesque alien grunts to bizarre flying heads, each skillfully animated to convey weight and menace as they lunge or swoop at the player.

The environments are surprisingly detailed for the genre, with layered backgrounds showcasing cityscapes besieged by alien pods, sewers overrun with mutant creatures, and the cold steel hallways of the enemy mothership. Interactive elements—like breakable crates and hideaway objects—blend seamlessly into the scenery, encouraging players to keep an eye out for ambushes and hidden power-ups.

Special effects are a highlight: explosions flare brightly against darker backdrops, energy beams crackle with neon intensity, and Gordon’s jet strike paints the screen red with bomb blasts. The Genesis version ups the ante with additional levels, slightly enhanced color palettes, and minor graphical tweaks, though the core charm remains consistent across platforms.

Despite the game’s age, Alien Storm avoids visual fatigue through varied stage design and enemy palettes. You’ll rarely feel like you’re fighting the same scene twice, and each mission brings fresh color schemes—from fiery alien nests with glowing eggs to icy space corridors dotted with flickering consoles—keeping the presentation dynamic and engaging.

Story

At its heart, Alien Storm offers a straightforward, pulpy sci-fi narrative: Earth is under siege by a relentless alien race, and only the elite “Alien Busters” squad can save humanity. While the story isn’t heavy on cutscenes or dialogue, it effectively sets the stakes for each mission—rescue civilians, destroy enemy outposts, and ultimately infiltrate the mother ship to confront the alien progenitor.

Character introductions are concise but memorable. Karla, the agile close-combat specialist, fights for revenge after her hometown was devastated. Gordon, the military sharpshooter, follows orders to protect the homeland, and Scooter, the tech-savvy demolitions expert, is driven by an insatiable curiosity to test his gadgets in real combat. These simple backstories provide enough context to make each Buster feel distinct.

Mission objectives are communicated through brief on-screen prompts, keeping the action moving without bogging players down in exposition. One level might task you with rescuing trapped civilians from a collapsing city block, while another demands the destruction of a UFO hovering above the skyline. This mission-based progression keeps the narrative focused and gives each stage a clear purpose.

The final showdown in the alien mother ship culminates in an encounter with the “mother of all aliens,” a grotesque boss that looms over the player with massive tentacles and relentless projectile attacks. Defeating this final adversary offers a satisfying payoff to the story’s simple arc, rewarding perseverance with a triumphant escape and the liberation of Earth.

Overall Experience

Alien Storm excels as a pick-up-and-play arcade brawler, perfectly calibrated for short bursts of high-octane action or longer co-op sessions with friends. The balance between melee and ranged combat, the strategic use of special attacks, and the variety of stage objectives create a gameplay loop that remains fresh from start to finish.

The game’s difficulty curve is well-pitched: early stages introduce mechanics gently, while later missions force you to adapt on the fly, juggling energy levels, rescuing civilians, and dealing with enemies that pop out unpredictably. Boss fights provide memorable crescendo moments that test your mastery of each character’s moveset and special abilities.

Replay value is bolstered by the trio of playable characters and the Genesis version’s extra missions. Each playthrough encourages you to try a different Buster, discover new strategies for energy management, and improve your timing on special attacks. Co-op adds a further layer of depth, as coordinating with a human partner transforms even familiar encounters into fresh challenges.

Ultimately, Alien Storm stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of arcade-style beat-’em-ups. Its engaging gameplay, vibrant graphics, and straightforward yet motivating story make it an excellent choice for fans of retro action titles or anyone seeking fast-paced, cooperative alien-blasting fun. If you’re hunting for a blast from the past that still holds up today, the Alien Busters await your command.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10