Aliens: Infestation
- September 30, 2011
- Gearbox Software
A stylised handheld extension of the classic Aliens movies, Infestation offers an enjoyable and tense, if repetitive, attempt at a metroidvania style romp
GAME OVER, MAN! The Xenomorph, the ultimate killing machine, returns. Only the Universe's toughest, the Colonial Marines, can exterminate the galaxy's most feared species. Can you fight off the terror of the alien infestation? -Choose you squad and watch the dynamic story system adapt -Pick up where the Aliens crew left off and fight through the U.S.S. Sulaco, planet LV-426, and more! -Load up wi…
Nintendo Ds
Reviews
- The game features beautiful sprite animation and detailed backgrounds, creating an immersive atmosphere.
- It offers a solid challenge with tense gameplay that stays true to the Aliens franchise, providing a satisfying experience for fans.
- The character system adds depth, allowing players to manage a team of marines, each with their own personality, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- The campaign is notably short, which may leave players wanting more content.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and monotonous, with some levels lacking variety and engaging design.
- There are several frustrating control issues and poorly balanced enemies that can detract from the overall experience.
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story revolves around a new group of marines sent to investigate the derelict Sulaco and uncover the fate of a previous mission team, featuring a straightforward plot involving the cloning of Xenomorphs. While the narrative is considered simplistic and somewhat uninspired, it effectively sets the stage for an engaging Alien experience, complemented by responsive controls and the option to rescue fallen marines.
“The controls are very responsive, and while the story for an Alien game couldn't be simpler (they're cloning Xenomorphs again?!), it is absolutely sufficient to provide us with a very convincing Alien experience.”
“Once the health bar is depleted, you lose a marine - pretty smart - and as a plus side, you can actually stage a rescue mission to retrieve them should you wish.”
“The story for an Alien game couldn't be simpler (are they cloning Xenomorphs again?!), but it is sufficient to provide us with a very convincing Alien experience.”
“Fighting Weyland-Yutani mercenaries is quite boring and exhausting, and as mentioned above, the story is extremely simple.”
“The Sulaco is found adrift in space, and a new group of marines is sent in to investigate and find out what happened to the former mission team.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its outdated mechanics and repetitive level design, leading to a monotonous experience that lacks character development. While it draws inspiration from classic titles like Metroid, it fails to implement necessary modern tweaks, resulting in an average overall experience.
“The gameplay is heavily inspired by games like Metroid.”
“The mechanics are intuitive and engaging, making it easy to pick up and play.”
“The level design encourages exploration and rewards players for their curiosity.”
“It's a pity that there are gameplay elements that are a quarter of a century old, familiar to any Mega Drive player, that should be in this game as a baseline. Old tweaks that would make it a classic were never done, so this never rises above average.”
“The gameplay can become monotonous due to repetitive level design, with very little character development and a few annoying control issues.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is surprisingly immersive for a side-scrolling title, effectively keeping players engaged and on edge. It seamlessly integrates with the franchise's overall aesthetic, offering a satisfying level of challenge and decent production values that enhance the experience.
“It's hard to imagine that a side-scrolling game could offer such an atmosphere, but it certainly had me on the edge of my seat more than a couple of times.”
“Oozes atmosphere at every turn, fits in well with the rest of the franchise, really good level of challenge, decent production values, can be satisfying.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and alignment with the gritty, detailed backgrounds, enhancing the overall experience. However, some users note that while the music is enjoyable, it can occasionally become repetitive.
“The backgrounds are gritty and full of detail, and the music and sound effects are on par.”
“The action is great, the retro graphics look nice, and the music is great but can get a little boring sometimes.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't enhance the gaming experience at all.”
“The audio quality is poor, and the music often clashes with the gameplay.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their appealing retro style, complementing the engaging action of the game. However, while the visuals are well-received, some players find the music can become repetitive over time.
“The action is great, the retro graphics look nice, and the music is great but can get a little boring sometimes.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development in the game is minimal, contributing to a sense of monotony alongside repetitive level design and gameplay. Players express disappointment with the lack of depth in character progression, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The gameplay can become monotonous due to very little character development.”
“The character development feels repetitive and lacks depth.”
“There are a few annoying control issues that hinder the character development experience.”
