The problem I have with episodic video games is that I feel bad leaving the main character inbetween episodes. What does he do with this time, stuck between levels like that? Does he think of me while he’s alone in the digital ether, while I’m off having the time of my life playing Gears of War or Burnout Paradise or something? Does he cry when he thinks no-one’s looking?
Not Theodore Conrad. Conrad is a BAD ASS space marine with a bald head and a gruff attitude. In Alien Breed Evolution, the first episode in the new Alien Breed series, his spaceship was rather unceremoniously smashed into by a ghost ship. That ghost ship was full of some rather hungry xenomorph alien critters who were very pleased to see him. Under the guidance of his android companion Mia, Conrad blasted his way through five levels of gritty, isometric twinstick shootin’, before smashing his way onto the ghost ship. In Alien Breed 2: Assault, the sequel to that game, Conrad takes the fight to the aliens, invading their ship and unravelling the truth behind the attack.
Based on Team17’s classic Amiga game series, Alien Breed 2 is a fresh and exciting merger of old school and new school gaming styles. From the old school camp, we get a Gauntlet-esque shooter where quick reactions and super-sharp finger dexterity are necessary. From the new school, we get the Unreal 3 engine, allowing for a truly beautiful aesthetic, full of detail and atmosphere.
Alien Breed 2 seems to have been finely-tuned to provide as terrifying an experience as possible. Despite its Xbox Live Arcade status and background in retro, this chapter deserves to be regarded as much survival horror as the thematically-similar Dead Space. There will be unexplained screams and sounds to throw you off balance, shocking explosions that rattle through the control pad when you don't expect them, creepy mechanical movements in the corner of your eye and, of course, truly horrifying alien attacks that will make you sweat. It is insanely tense but it will suck you right in.
Not much has changed since 2009's Alien Breed Evolution. Most of the gameplay is the same save a few tweaks. Most noticeable is the inclusion of the shop, which allows you to upgrade Conrad’s weapons and beef up his inventory. Not only does this take away some of the annoying attrition that was present in the first episode, it also adds more depth and allows for some customisation to suit your playing style. Team17’s experience with the game engine has allowed them to more ambitious with the level design, presenting us with some blood-splatteringly good boss battles and set pieces. Basically, it’s just as good as the first game, only turned up to eleventeen. There’s a Survival mode added which adds longevity and breaks the gameplay down to ‘survive against waves of aliens’, and, hey, modern gamers like fighting waves, don’t they? The multiplayer mode is brief but fun, good for a couple of hours of entertainment, but don’t buy the game just for that.
There are some irritating gripes, but complaining about them is hardly worth the words. There are occassional jarring loading times, but this isn’t a big thing. The third level is partly a frustrating escort mission. I really don’t have much else negative to say. It’s a real masterclass in expert design – a marvellous fusion of old school twinstick shooters and modern survival horror, which manages to stay fun, scary, exciting and casual at the same time. If you already have Alien Breed Evolution, don’t hold back from getting this. If you don’t have Alien Breed Evolution, jump straight into the series here. You’ll hardly have a tough time picking up on the plot and this is a superior work to its predecessor. If you haven’t tried any of the Alien Breed reboots, then what are you waiting for? Conrad is crying for you!
Alien Breed 2: Assault is available on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 Microsoft points. It is also available on Steam.