Alien Syndrome (Japan)

In Alien Syndrome (NES version), players assume the role of one of two brave commandos, Ricky or Mary, tasked with rescuing comrades held captive by ferocious alien monsters. The game is a top-down shooter, distinguished by its frantic and fast-paced action gameplay.

Each stage in Alien Syndrome is a complex maze consisting of various rooms and corridors. Your primary objective is to locate and rescue a specific number of comrades (usually 10) within a given time limit. Comrades are typically found locked in specific rooms and are guarded by a host of alien creatures. To rescue them, you need to eliminate all enemies in that particular room.

Players start with a basic laser gun but can pick up various other weapons and power-ups throughout the game. Available weapons include a flamethrower, a more powerful laser rifle, and grenades. Additionally, there are support items such as smart bombs (clearing the screen of enemies), force fields (temporary invincibility), and speed boots. Managing and effectively using these weapons is key to survival and mission completion.

The enemies in the game are diverse, ranging from small, fast-moving creatures to large monsters capable of firing projectiles. At the end of each stage, after rescuing enough comrades, a warp gate will open, leading you to a boss battle. Each boss has a unique appearance and attack pattern, requiring players to identify their weaknesses and develop suitable strategies to defeat them.

With its distinctive NES pixel graphics and vibrant sound effects, Alien Syndrome offers a challenging and entertaining experience, demanding agility and good reflexes from the player. The constant time pressure pushes you to act quickly, creating a thrilling classic shooter game.