Alien Syndrome

As I mentioned earlier, Alien Syndrome has gotten a lot of bad reviews, and if you're considering buying it, you'd probably be wise to check them out. However, I truly feel that other reviews tend to be criticizing it for being exactly what it should be. If you think this is the kind of game you'd like, don't let them put you off–buy it. The developers clearly put a lot of love into this game, and in my opinion, it paid off. I spent 40 to 50 very enjoyable hours with Alien Syndrome, and am several hours in with a second character. My only regret is that I allowed other reviews to stop me from buying it despite my feeling that it'd be fun.

Alien Syndrome may not be the most popular or beloved of Sega’s older titles, but if there’s anything to make people take notice of the franchise, this game is it. Sure, it’s got a few rough edges and the addition of the original game would have been an excellent addition to the package, but despite all of this, Alien Syndrome is still a surprisingly enjoyable game for anyone into the old game or hack and slash RPGs in general. With the addition of the four-player co-op and the gritty sci-fi setting, Alien Syndrome is something Wii owners may want to check out.

The problem for Alien Syndrome is that now I can just go to the Virtual Console on the Wii or XBLA on the 360, and play the games themselves for a few dollars. I don’t need to spend 50 dollars on Alien Syndrome to remind me of what gaming used to be. But if you do, then Alien Syndrome has got your number.

Nach der Preview-Version war ich eigentlich noch recht guter Dinge, dass 'Alien Syndrome' zwar ein oberflächlicher, aber dennoch unterhaltsamer Topdown-Shooter wird. Allerdings währte die Freude nur für kurze Zeit, dann stellte sich schnell Langeweile und Frust ein. Wenn sich jedoch einige Freunde vor dem Bildschirm versammeln, hält man es auch länger in den ewig grauen Gängen des Raumschiffes aus. Für Multiplayer-Partien kann man das Spiel durchaus mal einlegen, Solokämpfer lassen lieber die Finger davon.

Nevertheless, this game retains the arcade shoot-em-up feel of its coin-op predecessor, and those who enjoyed gunning down waves of enemies and doing thousands of points of damage in classics like NARC or Smash TV may find some enjoyment out of this one. Fans of dungeon crawlers such as Gauntlet: Dark Legacy and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance may also find this game worth a look. Those looking for a serious RPG effort or a robust multiplayer, however, should hold onto their $50 for now.

I can’t imagine many of the casual gaming fans scooping up the Wii in record numbers have much affection for the ancient top-down arcade shooter Alien Syndrome, but a few of the hardcore set might. This new version isn’t a complete change from the old game, although the endless combat is now in a 3D isometric world more akin to many fantasy hack n’ slashers.

There's full Remote/Nunchuk support and four-player co-op, but the gameplay and story are just bland and monotonous.

But as it stands, Alien Syndrome's best qualities are spread thin over two platforms, yielding two average offerings. Co-op fanatics just looking to spend a few baddie-blasting hours with friends will likely get their dollar's worth from the Wii version, while action RPG addicts looking to get out of the dungeon for awhile might enjoy the PSP's more single player-friendly presentation. Everyone else should probably just wait for Sega to release a best-of-both-worlds version on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 Microsoft points. C'mon Sega, what do you say?

Anyone who can get past the more annoying nuances of the game’s design and execution may still find some fun in Alien Syndrome. The game offers over 100 different enemies, but rehashes some of its more minor bosses in an attempt to add longevity. At the same time, powering up your character is relatively deep for a simple run-n-gun game, and we got some simple enjoyment out of powering up our weaponry or making use of class-specific skills such as increased critical rates or outstanding melee power. If this game would have been $29.99(or $19.99, to be more realistic) instead of its current $40 price point we might endorse it a bit more, but seeing as its release couples a $40 price point with the need for four copies to play multiplayer it’s hard for us to get too excited about Alien Syndrome.

Between the PSP and Wii, the PSP is easily the superior. It offers the better controls and graphics, and just feels like a better game. It's a little harder to find three others to play with, so I guess that offsets it.

In the end, Alien Syndrome could've turned out a lot worse than it did. Yeah, true, it could've been better as well and Sega and Totally Games could've installed some kind of Game Sharing option for multiplayer. But then again, the game could've gone through some kind of reinvention that rendered it completely unplayable. As it is, it's a solid blaster and worth a few hours of your time. Just pray that those hours aren't spent trying to equip a flame thrower. Stupid item screen.

Between a single-player sojourn and multiplayer adventuring, Alien Syndrome packs in a decent amount of gameplay. A handful of shortcomings prevent it from being a memorable experience and yet, in many ways, it gets the job done. It may be some way from being the most original or polished action role-playing game around, but as a distraction from the usual summer activities it proves an enjoyable blast.

A big thumbs down goes to Sega, though, for making multiplayer so difficult to enjoy. Up to four players can take part in the alien demolition, but four copies of the game are needed. Finding three suckers that purchased this game is next to impossible. Alien Syndrome raises enough of a ruckus to earn the status of "rental". However, the recycled gameplay and subdued multiplayer options make it a less rousing experience than it could've been.

Wrapping things up, I will admit that the original Alien Syndrome wasn't really all that amazing. In fact, it was a very average game that happened to be pretty fun - for the time. In reinventing the past, Sega hasn't really done much to recapture that feeling and while the original title may have been mediocre as well, it still had more of a sense of accomplishment. This isn't the worst game I've played, nor is it the worst sequel that I've ever seen, but it just doesn't end up being as much fun as it could have been nor does it ever attempt to use the parts that it tries so hard to develop, such as creating a character. All in all, it's a game you'll more than likely want to pass on, even if you're a die-hard fan of the original.

Wrapping things up, I will admit that the original Alien Syndrome wasn't really all that amazing. In fact, it was a very average game that happened to be pretty fun - for the time. In reinventing the past, Sega hasn't really done much to recapture that feeling and while the original title may have been mediocre as well, it still had more of a sense of accomplishment. This isn't the worst game I've played, nor is it the worst sequel that I've ever seen, but it just doesn't end up being as much fun as it could have been nor does it ever attempt to use the parts that it tries so hard to develop, such as creating a character. All in all, it's a game you'll more than likely want to pass on, even if you're a die-hard fan of the original.

Alien Syndrome part d'un bon fond avec le paramétrage du personnage et le côté jeu de rôle. Malheureusement, sa trop grand répétitivité et un bestiaire quelconque nuisent grandement au plaisir ; les plus nostalgiques pourraient peut-être se laisser tenter.

For fans of classic action-RPGs or multiplayer addicts Alien Syndrome would be a solid weekend rental or bargain bin purchase, but given the lack of polish throughout, the overall “PSP-ness” of the game’s graphical presentation, and the $50 price tag we’ve got to put SEGA’s latest Wii effort in the “just skip it” category. There are far better games on Wii’s horizon.

Erde an Entwickler Totally Games: Wo habt ihr die letzten zwei Jahrzehnte nur gesteckt? Auf diesem Planeten hat sich die künstliche Intelligenz seit Gauntlet jedenfalls weiterentwickelt. Gegner dürfen heutzutage auch andere Dinge tun als nur auf die Spielfigur zuzulaufen, in seine Richtung zu ballern und an Ecken hängen zu bleiben. Als Fan von Actionspielen alter Schule würde ich mich sogar darauf einlassen, wenn das Gemetzel mich wenigstens ein wenig fordern würde. Aber warum zum Kuckuck darf ich zu Beginn nur den lächerlich leichten ersten Schwierigkeitsgrad auswählen? Wozu soll ich mich zuerst stundenlang durch diese monotone Beschäftigungstherapie quälen, die nicht mal sonderlich gut aussieht? Da können auch der Vier-Spieler-Kooperativmodus, die intuitive Wii-Steuerung und all die schönen Rüstungs- und Waffen-Upgrades nichts mehr rausreißen. Also: Finger weg von dieser Schlaftablette!

Während in den 1980er Jahren der Spielhallen-Klassiker mit unterhaltsamen Ideen und jeder Menge Spaß glänzen konnte, wirkt die Neuauflage Anno 2007 wie ein müder, uninspirierter und unmotivierter Aufguss, der das Potenzial der Nintendo-Konsole bei weitem nicht nutzt und selbst hartgesottenen Rollenspielfans kaum mehr als ein müdes Lächeln abringen dürfte. Denn eine Mischung aus Rollenspiel und Shooter mit ein wenig Wii-Steuerung ist noch lange kein Kaufgrund.

Alien Syndrome wagt den Versuch, das Shooter-Segment einmal mehr mit Rollenspiel-Elementen zu würzen und scheitert klaglos. Von der antiquierten Technik mal abgesehen, wird in Sachen Gameplay auf Dauer schlicht zu wenig Abwechslung geboten. Dauernd durch monoton gestaltete Levels zu ballern und dabei anspruchsvolle Konzepte komplett aus dem Programm zu werfen, stellt jeden Wii-Besitzer nach mindestens 20 Minuten auf eine Geduldsprobe. Die Rollenspiel-Einbindung ist außerdem eine absolute Impertinenz, zumal sich diese Funktion viel zu marginal auf den Spielverlauf auswirkt und ihr kaum Einfluss auf diese habt.

The cutscenes are little more than a camera panning over concept art, and the leveling and loot system offers little grinding satisfaction and essentially pigeon-holes you into one weapon type from the start. You basically have to choose between spending valuable points on one high-powered gun or unlocking several weak guns. Alien Syndrome is one retro franchise that probably should have stayed dead.

I have come to love these top-down shooters, so this was a blast to roam around and blast everything, and it was nice that I could do so anywhere without worrying about streaming strong language or overly gory scenes. If you have played either of those games and enjoyed them, this is a game I can easily recommend - but only if you can get it for a bargain price. It really just isn't a very good game - there is some fun to be had with blasting stuff and working your skill-tree, but it isn't a game that I would ever recommend for someone to go out of their way to buy.

The purchase of a Wii does not waive our right to expect a game that looks like it was designed in this millenium. What you have here is a slightly enhanced, magnified, PSP port. As a rainy day rental, Alien Syndrome could elicit a few thrills from you and a couple of friends. But at full price, under optimal summer weather conditions, this game shouldn't keep anyone indoors.

At the same time, multiplayer can't save Alien Syndrome from succumbing to its shortcomings. Some great ideas get lost in the bland execution, resulting in a game that's fun in spurts but doesn't get the job done. It seems kind of strange that Sega turned an exciting "bug hunt" into something bland. Avoid it like an alien gunship.

Alien Syndrome can be played with up to four people locally, and though misery loves company, additional players don't make the experience any more entertaining. The original Alien Syndrome wasn't terribly groundbreaking, but it still managed to provide some manic, challenging fun. This game is an exercise in formulaic tedium that fails to deliver on the promise of an updated Alien Syndrome, or a passable action RPG experience.

PSP owners will be able to gloat that their version of the game looks better than the Wii edition. It seems as though this title was initially being developed only for Sony's handheld, and about halfway through the process, the decision was made to port it to Wii. Sure, some enemies have had their polygon counts lowered on the PSP, but the graphics look much sharper than when they're blown up on a TV. Alien Syndrome is a decent game, but given the concept and the multiplayer factor, this game could have been so much better. Maybe Sega should start leaving its old game titles alone.

I’m going to guess this game will fly off the shelves when it hits $20, and rightly so. There is a fun and compelling multiplayer game lurking beneath the mindless combat and level grinding that boasts a few subtle nods toward Diablo, but you don’t want to play this alone and you don’t want to have four people paying full price for what is arguably a budget-quality title.

Depuis son dévoilement, j’attendais beaucoup Alien Syndrome. Premier hack ‘n slash pour la Wii plongé dans une ambiance futuriste où l’on peut s’équiper de nombreuses armes à feu et affronter une centaine d’ennemis, quoi de mieux pour nous vendre un jeu sans saveur ni plaisir. Alien Syndrome est un jeu intéressant sur papier et qui aurait réellement pu l’être sur écran si on en avait fait un jeu moins redondant, plus intuitif au niveau des contrôles et mieux conçu au niveau de ses mini-jeux et de sa progression. Dommage pour un jeu qui promettait, bien que le fait de mentionner que cela pince légèrement mon cœur de joueur.

Alien Syndrome isn't a pretty game, either. Given that it's only available for the Wii and the PSP, it seems as though it was initially being developed only for Sony's handheld, and about halfway through the process, the decision was made to port it to Wii. The graphics, which look perfectly fine on the PSP, look decidedly low budget blown up on a TV. This is compounded by the fact that AS has been released as a full price title. This would be less of a problem if the game was $30, but for $50? You'd be better off saving $20 and picking up a copy of Resident Evil 4. Maybe Sega should start leaving its old game titles alone.

Alien Syndrome can be played with up to four people locally, and though misery loves company, additional players don't make the experience any more entertaining. The original Alien Syndrome wasn't terribly groundbreaking, but it still managed to provide some manic, challenging fun. This game is an exercise in formulaic tedium that fails to deliver on the promise of an updated Alien Syndrome, or a passable action RPG experience.

Zelfs als je met z'n vieren op een Wii samenspeelt, maakt dat de omgevingen er niet minder lelijk of saai op en de gevechten worden slechts marginaal interessanter. Jammer.

Alien Syndrome es un título que flojea en todos sus apartados, aunque su duración es de aproximadamente veinte horas el juego es realmente repetitivo. Se hace más ameno jugandolo en cooperativo con algunos amigos. El juego lleva en el mercado desde el día 7 de Septiembre de este mismo año.

Alien Syndrome ne risque pas de sortir de l'oubli avec ce petit remake sans envergure. Poussif et répétitif, le titre de Totally Games ne pèse pas lourd face à la concurrence. Les fans des jeux originaux feront peut-être mieux de s'en tenir à leurs vieux souvenirs. Dommage.

Alien Syndrome has a lot of promise, but the lack of a decent story and the poorly implemented Wii controls hamper the experience. If you're a fan of the original, get this on the PSP instead.

Alien Syndrome ne risque pas de sortir de l'oubli avec ce petit remake sans envergure. Poussif et classique, le titre de Totally Games ne pèse pas lourd face à la concurrence. Les fans des jeux originaux feront peut-être mieux de s'en tenir à leurs vieux souvenirs. Dommage.

That's really the general tone of Alien Syndrome. Never does it become particularly fun, though it's quietly engaging in its own methodical, repetitive way. It's not a full-price purchase by any means, and it's nowhere close to the high action-RPG bar set by Champions of Norrath on the PS2 three and a half years ago. Maybe it's worth a look once it hits the bargain bin...but as it stands, Alien Syndrome is a very expensive relic.

It’s obvious that a lot of time went into this game. The different game modes, the different types of weapons and armor, the character classes and the floating inventory system all speak to a desire to make Alien Syndrome a top notch dungeon crawler. Unfortunately the gameplay is the one area that didn’t get as much attention. Alien Syndrome is a perfect example of good ideas gone bad, and even with the ample length is hard to recommend for the full 50 dollar price tag, especially considering the fall lineup of games for the Wii. Gamers should do their best not to contract this syndrome.

Despite the march of time and technology, the extraterrestrial scumbags that roam the isometric corridors are as bland and unimaginative as the pulsating worms you blasted 20 years ago, and there’s little satisfaction in blasting the same monsters time and time again (even if they are a slightly different colour). Even worse, the aliens in this Smash TV-style shoot ’em up move with all the grace of Vanessa Feltz wading through treacle, making it easy to run away from belligerent beasts when you can’t be arsed frying them with a laser. And while the aliens are wholly uninspiring, the monotonous, empty environments where they roam do little to rectify the situation, leaving only the nagging realisation that some game franchises would be better off left for dead.

Alien Syndrome is ugly, boring, repetitive and hard to recommend. And worst of all, it's just no fun whatsoever. Not even fans of the old school arcade game will find much to enjoy in this half-assed resurrection.

Alien Syndrome is a generic update and a game that is easily forgotten.

Alien Syndrome had the potential to be a decent by-the-numbers action RPG, but it struggles to even reach those heights with insipid repetition and a total lack of challenge crippling your incentive to see it beyond the first few hours. One to file under SEGA's mistakes, then.

Overall Alien Syndrome is a disappointment and, aside from odd glimmers of potential, it is looking like a game headed straight for bargain basements. The two-player cooperative mode may keep a duo of youngsters quiet for a handful of weekends, but otherwise this mismatched game has very little to offer.

Alien Syndrome is not for everyone. Anyone looking for an exciting story, memorable characters, or an original locale should definitely look elsewhere, probably at the polar end of the spectrum. Anyone looking for a fast, fun dungeon crawler to whittle away a few hours with every now and then, or even just something to play with a few friends, could do a lot worse.

We expected much more, but perhaps we should have remained wary from the offset, with the same identical game being created for both PSP and Wii. There are moments where it feels good (which we hope can be expanded on for a decent follow-up, or be applied to another game entirely), but mainly it leaves a bitter taste. Go and watch the Aliens movies or play the original Alien Syndrome instead.

Overall Alien Syndrome is a disappointment and, aside from odd glimmers of potential, it is looking like a game headed straight for bargain basements. The two-player cooperative mode may keep a duo of youngsters quiet for a handful of weekends, but otherwise this mismatched game has very little to offer.

Alien Syndrome is geen goed spel, maar het heeft zo zijn verborgen krachten. De simpele besturing en de coöperatieve mode zijn redenen om het spel eens te proberen. Dit neemt niet weg dat het een lelijke, saaie en ongeïnspireerde budgettitel is. De grootste grap is dat het spel voor een volle prijs in de winkels ligt.

Alien Syndrome is a thoroughly disappointing and discouraging game. Totally Games has made some spectacular titles in its time, and the conceptual elements of a sci-fi Diablo with lots of space aliens and crazy guns sounds terrific. The reality, however, is a horribly executed game that plays more like a barebones prototype than something Wii owners should spend $50 on.

Alien Syndrome is another entry in the catalogue of Wii games that fail to grasp the potential of the system. Simply tacking on a few new controls in a title that could easily have been created twenty years ago is not a winning formula. On this form, Samus will have to wait a little while longer for any worthwhile competition.

Never does Alien Syndrome become fun -- and unlike the Wii version, the PSP iteration doesn't even control well enough to become quietly engaging in its own methodical, repetitive way. It's not a full-price purchase by any means, and it's nowhere close to the high action-RPG bar set by Champions of Norrath on the PS2 three and a half years ago. Maybe it's worth a look once it hits the bargain bin...but as it stands, Alien Syndrome is a very expensive relic.

You should: rent this game if you have an insatiable urge to manage stats and eliminate hundreds of mindless aliens. Otherwise, Alien Syndrome isn't worth purchasing until it reaches the bargain bin, and even then the title would be difficult to recommend.

Alien Syndrome is an all around terrible resurrection of a fun (albeit shallow) arcade game. If you like to shoot at aliens and enjoy playing with friends then chances are you're better served by one of the other games that does exactly that. The idea of fighting aliens in space is hardly a new concept for video games, so why bother suffering through a bad one when there are so many better examples out there? I like that Sega decided to support four-players, but next time I can only hope that they decide to throw in a great game with that four-player support.