Coming from the developers Resogun, the side-scrolling shoot everything game, I had high hopes coming into their next project, Alienation. Just like Resogun, in Alienation you shoot up literally everything that can possibly hurt you. As well its top down style shooter really lets Housemarque do whatever they want with this game. It allows just about everything you could ask for from a game of this scale and price point. Alienation however, feels too similar to so many other games of this genre of top down shooting.

Gameplay:

From starting out, there are three distinct characters that can be used for the defense of Earth against the vile Xenos. The Bio- Specialist is basically the scientist, it has less powerful weaponry but can heal the team and use high tech weaponry like gas and drones against the enemy. However, while playing the Bio-Specialist there is a ability that releases deadly gas wherever he moves. It works fine in single-player because you can lure all the xenos, however when in an uncoordinated lobby if 4 people, no one really knows where to go causing the ability to be wasted nearly every time. It’s annoying, luckily that is the only real character issue. Then there is Tank, the heavy hitter lug who has defensive shield and ground smash which destroys everything in very large radius. And lastly, the saboteur, who is the in your face and silent type. Even though all of the characters are very different there is not one single player that is incredibly overpowered. All the characters have very diverse and unique, qualities, however very similar to other games of this genre.

Plot & Design:

While playing Alienation, the story was very bland and frankly boring. The plot is basically any other alien invasion game, where aliens have destroyed almost everything and you must prepare for the last stand to protect mankind’s future. Overall however, Housemarque did a great job presenting this casual drama. Plus the bosses are reasonably diverse and most of the missions don’t feel like the same kill everything and leave style gameplay. Sure you’re supposed to kill everything anyway but it’s how it’s presented that makes each mission feel new and more innovative than the last, which very many games fail at.

Presentation:

This game also includes upgrades for the weapons and has fairly decent customization tree for later, rarer weapons. As well, what needs to be addressed is the fact that the loading times are incredibly short which needs to be known. To get into an online game, it takes less than 10 seconds. Added to that there are very few bugs, which really make the experience enjoyable.

Conclusion:

Alienation does top down shooters justice, making every mission more exciting and innovative than the last. As well all the characters are very well balanced as a whole. And for the $20 purchase, it is a great price for the amount of content that is given. Alienation can be played very casually, yet it can also be incredibly competitive and intense, I would recommend this to anyone a fan of this genre.

Alienation gets a 9/10 (Spectacular)

We’d like to thank Sony PR for sending us a code!

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