Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Aliens: Alien 2 takes the familiar run’n’gun formula and injects a healthy dose of arcade energy. Players guide Ripley through side‐scrolling stages, leaping over hazards and dispatching facehuggers, adult xenomorphs, and even pesky snakes with her initial starter weapon. The pacing is brisk: enemies emerge from eggs, requiring quick reflexes to shoot or avoid them before they latch onto Ripley. Each encounter feels satisfying, whether you’re mowing down hordes or scoping out the eggs for power‐ups.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

One of the standout mechanics is the egg‐shooting system. After vanquishing a facehugger, you have a limited window to destroy the egg it hatched from, revealing random items. This risk‐and‐reward loop adds tension, since hanging around eggs longer invites fresh threats. Discovering stronger guns or hand grenades feels gratifying, providing tangible upgrades that make later, tougher sections more manageable. The wing items, which extend Ripley’s jump height and distance, open up vertical exploration and hidden areas, rewarding players who experiment with different movement options.

Level design alternates between open surface terrain and claustrophobic research complexes. On the surface, you’re challenged by uneven ground, pits, and flying projectiles. Once inside the complex, corridors tighten and corridors twist, demanding memorization and precision. Platforming segments can be punishing, but the checkpoint placement—often at the start of each new screen—helps mitigate frustration. Throw in a handful of bosses, including the memorable giant alien guardian, and you have a balanced blend of steady build‐up and sudden, heart‐racing conflict.

Graphics

For an MSX title of its era, Aliens: Alien 2 punches well above its weight class. Sprites are crisply defined, with Ripley’s iconic silhouette instantly recognizable even at small sizes. Enemy animations—especially the facehuggers clinging to and bursting out of eggs—are surprisingly fluid. The developers made effective use of the MSX’s color palette to differentiate between background elements, interactive objects, and incoming threats.

The surface levels feature rocky outcrops, creeping vines, and alien eggs dotting the landscape, rendered with enough detail to convey a foreboding atmosphere. Once you transition into the research complex, wall panels, flickering lights, and mechanical structures replace the organic backdrops. These interior stages evoke the cinematic look of the Alien films, capturing that signature mix of industrial design and biological horror. Little touches—such as dripping fluids in the corridors or blinking console lights—add depth without overtaxing the hardware.

While the resolution is modest by modern standards, clever use of shading and sprite layering gives a sense of dimensionality. Explosions from grenades and muzzle flashes momentarily light up darkened areas, creating dramatic visual feedback. Even the boss fights, with their larger, multi‐phase animations, maintain a steady frame rate. In short, the graphics do justice to the source material, balancing performance and aesthetic fidelity on the Japanese MSX platform.

Story

Aliens: Alien 2 doesn’t attempt to rewrite the legendary film script; rather, it offers a compact, action‐focused narrative that pays homage to Ripley’s battle against the Xenomorph menace. You assume the role of the lone survivor dropped onto a hostile planet, with scant resources and the looming threat of facehuggers lurking around every corner. The setup is simple but effective: survive long enough to penetrate the alien complex and neutralize its biggest predator.

The inclusion of random item drops from eggs and the occasional weapon upgrade cleverly mirrors Ripley’s search for better gear in the movies. Although the game doesn’t feature dialogue or cutscenes, the progression from open terrain to a fortified research facility tells a clear visual story. Each new zone feels like a deeper descent into the heart of the infestation—first skirting around pods and serpentine creatures, then confronting the monstrous adults in confined, echoing corridors.

Despite its arcade leanings, the title hints at a broader universe. The relentless alien assaults, combined with fleeting glimpses of malfunctioning lab equipment and abandoned crates, evoke the sense of a once‐bustling installation now overrun. While minimalistic, this narrative approach works hand in hand with the gameplay, keeping players engaged in Ripley’s mission: locate the source, vanquish the threat, and emerge alive.

Overall Experience

Aliens: Alien 2 stands out among MSX exclusives as a tight, action‐oriented platformer that captures the spirit of its silver‐screen counterpart. The balance of run’n’gun intensity, strategic item management, and occasional platforming puzzles makes for a varied experience that holds up even decades after its release. Players familiar with the original Aliens arcade conversions will appreciate Square’s unique spin for Japanese audiences.

The learning curve is approachable yet fair. Early stages serve as a tutorial in disguise, introducing you to egg shooting, grenade usage, and jumping mechanics. By the time you reach the research complex and face off against the substantial boss, you’ve honed your skills enough to feel a genuine sense of accomplishment. Checkpoints keep frustration at bay, while hidden areas and power‐up eggs encourage exploration and replayability.

Ultimately, this retro gem delivers an adrenaline‐fuelled run’n’gun adventure that immerses you in the Aliens universe. Its solid controls, atmospheric graphics, and cleverly crafted levels combine to create an experience that’s both nostalgic and engaging. For collectors, retro enthusiasts, or anyone curious about Square’s early forays into licensed action titles, Aliens: Alien 2 remains a must‐play on the MSX platform.

Retro Replay Score

null/10