Alien Carnage / Halloween Harry

Starring hero "Halloween Harry", Alien Carnage is an impressive game with no detail overlooked. Professional musical soundtrack, brilliant full-VGA graphics, non-stop animation and huge start-game and end-game cinematics. If Duke Nukem has a twin separated at birth, it's got to be Halloween Harry! Harry has an armory of weapons he can find and use, besides the devastating flamethrower that he sta…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

52%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

Nostalgic experience for fans of classic DOS platformers, reminiscent of Duke Nukem.
Offers a unique gameplay mechanic with the jetpack, allowing for varied movement options.
Decent level variety and a humorous storyline that appeals to those who appreciate retro gaming.

Controls are clunky and diagonal movement is particularly frustrating.
Level design can feel tedious and maze-like, requiring excessive backtracking to rescue hostages.
The game has not aged well, with many aspects feeling outdated and unappealing to modern players.

music
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as average but functional, with some reviewers noting that it enhances the overall experience despite not being exceptional. While it may sound peculiar to some, it is appreciated for its presence, especially in comparison to older games that often lacked music altogether. Overall, the soundtrack is considered decent and fitting for the game's aesthetic.
- “Even the music is still great; nothing feels dated or bad.”
- “When I first played this game after so many years, I was surprised to hear music and sound effects.”
- “The graphics are very fine for the time; music and sound are quite okay.”
- “The music sounds a little peculiar, but that's okay.”
- “I guess the music gets the job done, as the game isn't necessarily ugly to look at, and the soundtrack is the same, honestly.”
- “The music is average; at least it has some, as old DOS games didn't always have music at all.”
graphics
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game reflect its DOS-era origins, with VGA visuals that may feel clunky by modern standards. While some players appreciate the nostalgic value and the graphical representation of characters, others find the graphics lackluster and primarily suitable for those with a fondness for retro gaming. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for their time but not impressive by today's criteria.
- “The game was a great addition to my collection of Commander Keen titles, as it provided more graphical representation of adult leads that resembled heroes in my life.”
- “The graphics are very fine for the time; the music and sound are quite okay.”
- “I remember this game having awesome graphics, sound, and music.”
- “The graphics... well, it's a DOS-era game, so they aren't anything to write home about.”
- “While the game features VGA graphics, it is still just a clunky DOSBox game that's only viable for nostalgia purposes, and even then, those are questionable.”
- “The graphics are very fine for the time, music and sound are quite okay.”
story
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The story is characterized as a lighthearted, typical damsel-in-distress narrative set in outer space, featuring a somewhat goofy protagonist. While it lacks depth, it offers a humorous tone and classic gameplay elements, appealing primarily to fans of retro-style missions and action.
- “A funny little story with charming graphical elements.”
- “Would only recommend if you enjoy old classics and long rescue missions.”
- “With 4 different missions to play and an arsenal of 5 different weapons, you'll be able to save the planet again and again!”
- “Don't expect a deep story or anything like that; I found Harry to be a bit of a doofus.”
- “A typical damsel-in-distress story in outer space - and with a flamethrower.”
- “The story feels shallow and lacks any real depth or engagement.”
gameplay
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as simple yet engaging, offering a variety of movement options that enhance the experience. However, players express frustration with the reliance on hidden paths and levers for progression. Comparisons to classic titles like Duke Nukem highlight its enjoyable mechanics, though the presence of microtransactions is noted.
- “Alien Carnage is great; it's Duke Nukem with new mechanics and microtransactions!”
- “Rather simple gameplay, and honestly I wouldn't complain if it weren't for the overreliance on hidden paths and levers that you need to hunt down in order to progress.”
- “It allows for a lot of movement options not really afforded by standard gameplay.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its enduring humor, featuring a funny storyline and charming graphics that evoke nostalgia. Reviewers appreciate its straightforward gameplay complemented by a healthy dose of clean humor, making it an enjoyable experience despite its age.
- “Well, this is still quite a good and funny game for its age.”
- “A funny little story and graphical style.”
- “Nostalgia aside, this is a simple, straightforward, and fun sidescroller with a good dose of clean humor.”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for its choppy performance and poor controls, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from its nostalgic appeal. Reviewers suggest that the implementation feels rushed and ultimately fails to deliver a playable experience, making it a disappointing title.
- “...a promising intro that took me back to my C64 gaming days was quickly crushed with the poor controls, choppy performance (sure, give me a retro game, but at least make it playable) - a totally pointless nostalgia cash-in... for a minute there I thought this would be a step back in time to a simpler gaming time... instead we get poorly implemented, imprecise choppiness... avoid.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be decent but somewhat tedious, suggesting that while it may be enjoyable, it can also feel repetitive and time-consuming.
- “A decent game, but the grinding feels slightly tedious.”
- “The grinding aspect makes the game feel more like a chore than fun.”
- “I found myself spending too much time grinding instead of enjoying the story.”