Xeno II

The Good
Xeno II is a throwback to the arcade games that were quite popular at the time. Because the game is quite complex, especially in the graphics department, it requires 16K of expanded memory. The game only comes on cassette, so there is quite some loading taking place, giving you all the more reason to have a quick meal and come back. If you refrain from doing this, you are treated to a nice picture showing you the sprites in each stage. I like how the Xeno mothership at the top of this graphic looks as if it has fangs.

There are four stages in the game. The first stage is reminiscent of Lunar Rescue, minus the humanoids. You have to land the spaceship slowly on the animated landing pad while avoiding asteroids. In the second stage, you need to kill homing mines without getting into contact with them. The third stage is a clone of Space Invaders, in which the object is to shoot down ships that fire back at you before they have the chance to land. Finally, the fourth stage involves you trying to kill two rows of bricks to get at the power source and destroy it. You are constantly bombarded with bullets in the process.

There is some strategy involved in completing the stages. In the first one for instance, you can “wrap around” to the other side of the screen to make avoiding the asteroids easier, while on the second you can move before the homing missiles, allowing you to get into position, particularly to a spot where you can take them down easily.

Graphic-wise, I like the transitions that occur between stages. The spaceship in the first level looks impressive, as are the invaders in the third level and the power source in the final level. The explosions look good, too. Sound effects are okay, but they are nothing to write home about. The game can be played again and again in an effort to beat your previous score.

The Bad
If you don’t slow yourself down on the first stage as soon as you reach the asteroids, you will approach the landing pad rather quickly. Even if you do make it sometimes, you will explode anyway and lose a life.

There is this annoying sound that plays on the high score table, and it does your head in.

The Bottom Line
Xeno II is an excellent game from Anirog, consisting of various mini-games that are a nod to classics at the time. If you own a VIC-20, then getting 16K of expanded memory is well worth it considering the game is intense on graphics. The sound is also great, and it also provides the perfect opportunity to "score attack". Definitely one for the shoot-em-up fans.