| Alien 8 |
|---|
| | Developer(s) | Tim and Chris Stamper | | Publisher(s) | Ultimate Play The Game | | Engine | Filmation | | Platform(s) | ZX Spectrum
BBC Micro
Amstrad CPC
MSX | | Release date | 1985 (Spectrum)
Nov/Dec 1985 (MSX) | | Genre(s) | Arcade adventure; Maze | | Mode(s) | Single player | | Rating(s) | N/A | | Media | Cassette (Spectrum, BBC, Amstrad, MSX)
Cartridge (MSX) | | System requirements | 48K RAM (Spectrum)
32K (BBC)
64K (Amstrad CPC) | | Input methods | Keyboard, joystick (Spectrum, Amstrad, MSX)
Keyboard (BBC) |
Alien 8 is a ZX Spectrum video game. It was written by Tim Stamper and Chris Stamper of Ultimate Play The Game, and was released by the company in 1985. The game was also ported to the BBC Micro, Amstrad CPC and MSX platforms. It is the follow-up to Ultimate's Knight Lore, which had been released in 1984. As with its predecessor, Alien 8 is a platform game rendered in then-novel isometric projection. In the game, the player takes control of a robot, Alien 8, whose job is to ensure that all of the cryogenically frozen passengers on a spaceship remain viable during the ship's voyage.
IntroductionTypically for an Ultimate release, players are given a tantalising and cryptic introduction :
GameplayTaking on the role of the "cybot" Alien 8, the player must traverse a large starship in order to ensure that the cryogenic life support system that preserves the biological crew is kept activated. The core of this system is a series of geometrically-shaped circuits. These have been removed by invading aliens, and distributed around the starship. By collecting these circuits and returning them to their proper locations before the starship reaches its destination, Alien 8 will successfully satisfy its programming. Failure results in violent reprogramming. In Knight Lore, the player must return the objects to a single central location. In Alien 8, there are many cryogenic suspension rooms, and only a few types of circuit (e.g. cube, pyramid, dome), which means that the gameplay is less linear. As with Knight Lore, the environment of Alien 8 takes the form of a series of isometric flip-screen rooms (which trace the outline of a large starship). These are filled with platforms (including some that move), moveable objects, static hazards and dangerous aliens. The latter take the form of strange, sparkling lifeforms (similar to Knight Lore), mouse-Dalek hybrids and mindless, but fast-moving, clockwork mice. As well as executing well-timed manoeuvres and jumps, inventive players can use starship props to block or defend themselves. Another feature is the use of remote controlled drones, which can be directed by the Alien 8 into inaccessible or dangerous areas.
References- ^ Knight Lore, Alien 8 and Nightshade MSX pre-release promotional brochure, published by Ultimate Play The Game in October 1985. Available to view at World of Spectrum:
- ^ Looking For An Old Angle. Crash Magazine, Issue 51. Newsfield. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
External links- Alien 8 at Ultimate Wurlde
- Alien 8 at World of Spectrum
- Alien 8 at MobyGames
- Alien 8 review at CRASH magazine
- A walkthrough video of Alien 8 on the ZX Spectrum at Google Video
| Ultimate Play The Game |
|---|
| | 1983 | Jetpac • Pssst • Tranz Am • Cookie • Lunar Jetman • Atic Atac | | | 1984 | Sabre Wulf • Underwurlde • Knight Lore • The Staff of Karnath • Entombed | | | 1985 | Alien 8 • Nightshade • Gunfright • Blackwyche • Imhotep • Outlaws • Dragon Skulle | | | 1986 | Cyberun • Pentagram | | | 1987 | Martianoids • Bubbler | | | Other games | Mire Mare • Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship • Sabre Wulf (GBA) • Jetpac Refuelled | | | Platforms | ZX Spectrum • Amstrad CPC • BBC Micro • MSX • Commodore 64 • Commodore VIC-20 • Famicom Disk System | | | See also | Tim and Chris Stamper • Sabreman • Jetman • Filmation engine • Rare • U.S. Gold |
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