
	Platform PSP, Wii Genre Action RPG Developer Totally Games Publisher SEGA ETA Q2 2007
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Alien Syndrome

For those who have been fans of SEGA since the 1980s, many of you probably remember the company’s arcade game Alien Syndrome. It was an overhead view action shooter that pitted players against hordes of, you guessed it, aliens. The game was very intense, and great fun to play with friends. However, after it was released in the late 80s, the game disappeared from the face of the earth and only resurfaced in a classic compilation put out by SEGA a few years ago. Now, Alien Syndrome is getting a re-release with a massive overhaul courtesy of Totally Games, and will be headed to the PSP and Wii.

This rendition of Alien Syndrome is a complete reload of the game. In core areas, this game will share the spirit and general feel of the original, but in many ways Totally Games is vastly enhancing the gameplay. The largely overhead perspective is back, though now the game is completely 3D and players have a great deal of control over the camera. It still has that Alien Syndrome look, but brought into the modern era.

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While the original game was more of a straight-ahead action title, this new version will lean more towards the realm of action RPGs. Players take control of Earth Command Trooper Alieen Harding. While progressing through the game, it will be possible to enhance Harding’s stats such as strength, speed, endurance, and

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so forth as one would expect to find in an RPG. There will also be a ton of weapons and armor that can be acquired over the course of the game, each being visually represented onscreen when equipped.

Looking at the more action oriented aspects of the game, there will be plenty to shoot at in Alien Syndrome, as the game is expected to have over 100 different types of monsters in it. While much of the game appears to encourage players to blast everything that moves, there will be a fair amount of variety in the objects set forth for the player. These can range from escort missions, to rescues, to puzzle solving.

By the looks of things, Totally Games is trying to capture the essence of Alien Syndrome, while adding many of the more detailed game features to emerge in the genre over the last 20 years. It should make for a game with far more depth than the original when all is said and done. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see how Totally Games does transitioning to something like an action RPG after making a name for themselves with games like X-Wing and Secret Weapons Over Normandy.

Jeff Nash

February 26, 2007