Alien Crusader

About

"Alien Crusader is a free-to-play, action-packed space shooter game with stunning graphics and sound. As a human pilot, defend the galaxy against evil alien invaders across 25+ levels, battling through asteroid fields, secret bases, and alien motherships. Fight to save planet Earth and take down the aliens' planetary ground base in this classic coin-up arcade style game. Compete in online high-scores to become a hero."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+10

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

story21 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic scrolling shooters, appealing to fans of the genre.
The graphics and art style are decent, providing a visually coherent experience that some players appreciate.
The game can be enjoyable for casual players and newcomers to the bullet hell genre, offering a simple and accessible gameplay experience.

The game is plagued by a frustrating paywall for co-op features, which limits the multiplayer experience unless players spend additional money.
Gameplay is often described as slow and clunky, with poor controls that detract from the overall experience.
Many players find the game grindy and lacking in content, with repetitive stages and minimal variation in enemy types.

story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
40%
8%
The story has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with readers praising its engaging plot, character development, and emotional depth. Many highlighted the unique twists and the seamless flow of the narrative, making it an immersive experience. The relationships, particularly between the main characters Halle and Kaas, are described as both tender and complex, contributing to a compelling and enjoyable read.
- “This is a story that I couldn’t put down and can’t wait to read again.”
- “The lathar are an absolute favorite of mine, Halle and Kaas' story certainly went above and beyond to define what it is to be utterly devoted to your fated mate.”
- “Beautiful story.”
- “☐ no story”
- “☐ story?”
- “A story full of tragic and soul-searching emotions.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
38%
23%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful backgrounds and consistent art style, while others criticize the low-quality visuals and lack of enemy variety. The sound effects and music are generally well-received, complementing the visuals, but issues like excessive bloom can hinder gameplay clarity. Overall, the graphics are seen as decent but could benefit from improvements, particularly in enemy design and ship visuals.
- “Art style is consistent and coherent.”
- “A great old school top scrolling space shooter with beautiful background graphics.”
- “I don't know who created the level music but it goes perfect with this graphics and the galaxy background.”
- “What a failure, bad graphics, bad and boring gameplay, cheap visuals on weapon upgrades, awful grinding, repetitive stages, dumb enemies, bad hit markers; everything in this game is exactly what you would expect from a shoot 'em up gone wrong.”
- “My only complaints are how some of the enemies' attacks blend in with the environment due to the high amount of bloom, making it hard to tell where the bullets are, and I die because I couldn't tell whether or not I was shot at.”
- “Graphics are on the low end, the enemy types don't have a whole lot of variation, and the control scheme feels weird for a game released in 2018.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its simplicity and sound effects, while others criticize it for being slow, clunky, and repetitive. Many users noted the need for extensive grinding for upgrades, and some expressed disappointment in the overall execution, describing it as lacking depth and excitement.
- “Is really nice with cool sound effects, graphics, and gameplay. You will have to grind a lot for upgrades, but it's pretty nice.”
- “I really like this simple gameplay.”
- “First impression gameplay:”
- “What a failure, bad graphics, bad and boring gameplay, cheap visuals on weapon upgrades, awful grinding, repetitive stages, dumb enemies, bad hit markers; everything in this game is exactly what you would expect from a shoot 'em up gone wrong.”
- “Though mostly competent, the bare-bones shooter gameplay will disappoint fans of the genre.”
- “Slow gameplay, clunky controls, and pay-to-win mechanics.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Reviews indicate that the grinding in the game is excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging content and poor gameplay mechanics. The overall sentiment suggests that the grinding experience detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “What a failure, bad graphics, boring gameplay, cheap visuals on weapon upgrades, awful grinding, repetitive stages, dumb enemies, bad hit markers; everything in this game is exactly what you would expect from a shoot 'em up gone wrong.”
- “Grindy and lacks content.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is well-received, complementing the art style and enhancing the overall experience, particularly with its fitting ambiance for the galaxy background.
- “The music isn't bad and fits the art style perfectly.”
- “I don't know who created the level music, but it goes perfectly with the graphics and the galaxy background.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game features a significant advantage with no ads, allowing players to enjoy it without interruptions. While it offers the option for in-game purchases, many users feel that these purchases are not necessary for a satisfying experience.
- “Big plus - no ads.”
- “If you want to grab the game to mess around for a little bit, then go ahead, but I don't think it will be worth any in-game purchases.”
- “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The emotional aspect of the game is rich and multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of feelings such as love, fear, anger, and hope, as characters navigate complex relationships and personal struggles. Players experience a deep connection to themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the impact of trauma, highlighting the importance of sharing burdens to alleviate emotional weight. Overall, the narrative effectively blends drama, tension, and moments of tenderness, creating a compelling emotional journey.
- “Kaas and Halle each have heavy emotional weights to carry on their shoulders, but each fails to realize that their burdens would lessen if only they shared their burdens.”
- “The game masterfully intertwines themes of hope and hopelessness, creating a rich tapestry of emotional experiences that resonate deeply with players.”
- “The emotional journey of the characters is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, showcasing the complexities of love, loss, and redemption.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is woven into a rich tapestry of emotions and themes, providing levity amidst the action, drama, and suspense. Players appreciate the clever wit and comedic moments that balance the more intense elements, enhancing the overall experience without undermining the narrative's depth.
- “The humor in this game is brilliantly woven into the storyline, making even the most intense moments feel light-hearted and enjoyable.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the clever jokes and witty dialogue; it really adds a unique charm to the gameplay.”
- “The comedic timing of the characters is spot on, turning what could be a serious situation into a hilarious experience.”