Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

A.L.C.O.N. delivers a relentless, forward-scrolling shooter experience that keeps players on their toes from start to finish. As the pilot of the Slap Fighter (or SW475 Starfighter in the US), you navigate a ceaseless stream of alien vessels, turrets, and environmental hazards. The pacing remains brisk throughout the single continuous stage, with periodic boss encounters breaking up the hordes of regular enemies. Without traditional “stages,” the intensity never lets up, and each loop introduces new attack patterns that demand quick reactions and memorization.

The core mechanic revolves around the innovative star-based pickup system. Collect one star to boost your speed, two to reset your default shot, three to unlock side shots, and so on up to eight stars for a shield upgrade. This tiered approach adds a strategic layer: do you hoard stars to reach a game-changing upgrade, or grab lesser tiers to address an immediate threat? Timing your pickups and making on-the-fly decisions about which powerups to activate is central to mastering A.L.C.O.N.’s combat.

Weapon variety keeps the gameplay fresh. The default shot is rapid but short-ranged, ideal for buffeting close-in swarms, while bombs deliver substantial damage in bursts but require precise timing due to long reload gaps. Laser fire offers full-screen coverage and balanced performance, making it a reliable workhorse. Homing missiles, with their curving trajectories and target-locking behavior, feel especially satisfying when they thread through enemy formations. Learning each weapon’s strengths and weaknesses is rewarding, and cycling through them becomes part of the game’s addictive loop.

Graphics

Visually, A.L.C.O.N. captures the essence of late-’80s arcade shooters with polished pixel art and vibrant color palettes. The backgrounds scroll smoothly, depicting the planet Orac’s varied terrain—from rocky canyons to alien hive complexes—creating a sense of progression within the continuous level. Sprite designs for both your starfighter and enemy vessels are crisp and detailed, ensuring that each new alien type stands out clearly against the backdrop.

Animations are fluid, with explosions, weapon blasts, and ship transformations rendered in satisfying detail. The wing upgrade animation—where your ship briefly enlarges and becomes invulnerable—serves both a functional purpose and a visual spectacle. Even in hectic moments, the game maintains clarity, allowing you to track fast-moving projectiles and dodging lines with minimal slowdown.

Special effects like flickering shields, laser beams that cut across the entire screen, and spark-laden bomb detonations add polish and drama to the action. While the color scheme can grow intense during prolonged loops, this heightened visual feedback reinforces the sense of escalating difficulty and stakes, keeping players immersed in the fight against the Alien League Of Cosmic Nations.

Story

Set in the year 2059, A.L.C.O.N.’s narrative is concise but effective: alien invaders have seized the planet Orac, and the Alien League Of Cosmic Nations decrees you the galaxy’s best hope. This setup provides immediate context for the top-down mayhem, thrusting you into the role of the lone starfighter pilot tasked with reclaiming Orac’s skies. While the story unfolds primarily through the game’s manual and brief interludes, it establishes a clear objective: push forward, beat the bosses, and liberate the planet.

The minimalistic plot structure suits the genre, keeping the focus firmly on gameplay rather than lengthy cutscenes or dialogue. Each boss encounter feels like a story beat, showcasing new alien technologies or monstrous warships that escalate the stakes. The absence of traditional stage breaks means the storyline flows continuously, mirroring the unceasing pressure you face in the cockpit.

Though narrative depth is limited, the sense of progressing through Orac’s defense network—each boss destroyed brings you one step closer to the alien command center—creates a satisfying arc. For players seeking a robust lore, the game’s manual offers background details and artwork that enrich the universe, inviting fans to imagine the broader conflict beyond the action on screen.

Overall Experience

A.L.C.O.N. stands out as a challenging, skill-driven shooter that rewards mastery of its powerup system and weapon dynamics. The lack of continues and the one long looping stage make for a punishing experience, one where every mistake can lead to starting over. Yet, this unforgiving design is also its greatest allure: each successful run feels hard-earned, and victories against later bosses carry real satisfaction.

Replayability is high thanks to the continuous level loop mechanic. Once you’ve memorized early attack patterns, the game ramps up enemy speed, bullet density, and boss behavior, ensuring that no two loops feel identical. Fine-tuning your powerup strategy—deciding when to collect that crucial eighth star for a shield versus opting for quicker weapon boosts—keeps each playthrough engaging.

For fans of classic shooters like Xevious and Terra Cresta, A.L.C.O.N. offers a modernized homage with its unique pickup system and seamless loop design. While its steep learning curve may intimidate newcomers, dedicated players will find a deep, rewarding experience that emphasizes precision, strategy, and reflexes. In short, A.L.C.O.N. is a must-play for anyone craving a no-nonsense, adrenaline-fueled space combat challenge.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10