Bio Menace
- May 5, 2014
- 3D Realms (Apogee Software)
In "Bio Menace," players assume the role of Sergeant James Heller, a former special forces soldier turned secret agent. The game is a classic run-and-gun style platformer, where Heller must save the city of Metro City from a mad scientist who has unleashed a horde of genetically engineered creatures. Expect challenging gameplay, tight controls, and plenty of old-school action.
Reviews
- The game has strong retro charm and is enjoyable for those nostalgic for classic platformers.
- Gameplay is challenging yet fun, with a variety of weapons and power-ups to collect.
- The graphics and enemy designs are bright and cartoonish, adding to the overall appeal.
- Level design is often frustrating, with poorly placed enemies and narrow navigation paths.
- The game has not aged well, making it less appealing for players unfamiliar with the DOS era.
- Controls can feel clunky, and the lack of mid-level saves can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a classic action platformer, reminiscent of the Commander Keen series, featuring solid controls and engaging mechanics like collecting crystal shards to unlock barriers. While it offers a fun experience, some players find it challenging, particularly due to the inability to save mid-level, though the ability to take multiple hits is seen as a positive improvement. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable but can be demanding at times.
“Another great platformer from Apogee, solid gameplay and great controls.”
“Gameplay is fantastic; unlike Keen 4, you can take more than one hit (an improvement if I do say so myself), but on the flip side, you can't save in the middle of a level.”
“Overall, the gameplay is a little trying, but it's still pretty fun.”
“Playing this game reminds me of when I played the Commander Keen games – the start-up screen, in-game menus, and even the same sort of gameplay where you run to the other side of the stage, possibly finding crystal shards and using them to unlock barriers.”
“The gameplay is, as you would expect, classic action platformer gameplay.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some find it catchy, particularly the first level's track, others feel it quickly becomes annoying and lacks the charm of classic childhood soundtracks. Users appreciate the option to turn off the background music in favor of personal playlists, like Spotify. Overall, while the music is deemed acceptable, it doesn't stand out as a favorite for many players.
“Load it up (now without having to worry about editing your config.sys file!) and enjoy the catchy sound blaster music, and the plentiful gibs that monsters explode into.”
“Music and visuals are fantastic, would highly recommend for classic gaming!”
“Background music quickly gets annoying but can be turned off in favor of Spotify.”
“The music is okay, but it's not one of my favorites from my childhood games' soundtracks (although the very first level's music is quite catchy for me).”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are a mixed bag, featuring both charming cartoonish visuals and some inconsistencies in color design, with certain areas appearing overly grey or excessively bright. While not groundbreaking, the overall aesthetic is enjoyable and well-suited for fans of classic gaming.
“The graphics are not horrible, but I admit that the design could be better in some areas, like the colors (too grey in some places, too colorful and bright in others).”
“+ Nice bright and cartoonish graphics.”
“Music and visuals are fantastic; I would highly recommend this for classic gaming!”
“The graphics look like they belong in a game from the 90s.”
“The visuals are incredibly outdated and lack any real detail.”
“The art style feels cheap and unpolished, making the game hard to enjoy.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is a straightforward action sci-fi narrative that serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, featuring missions that involve shooting aliens and rescuing characters who provide snippets of the plot. While basic, it is deemed satisfactory for those seeking a nostalgic platforming experience with a bit of challenge.
“If you're looking for a fun old school platformer with a little bit of a challenge and a decent story, don't hesitate to pick this one up.”
“So it's a basic action sci-fi plot but it's fine.”
“Shoot through aliens, rescue a person that tells you a bit of story, go to the next level.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a nostalgia cash grab, indicating that users feel the game is exploiting their fondness for past experiences rather than offering genuine value.
“Once more, thumbs down to this kind of nostalgia cash grab.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profits over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's replayability may have been more appealing in 1993, but it feels less engaging and relevant in today's gaming landscape.
“Maybe in 1993 it was much more playable, but today?”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying the game feel tedious.”