Developer(s) Pandora Genre Role-playing video game | Initial release date 1990 Mode Single-player video game | |
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Publisher Softgold Computerspiele GmbH Platforms Amiga, Commodore 64, Atari ST, DOS, AmigaOS, MS-DOS Similar Death Bringer, Bloodwych, Predator, Xenon, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark | ||
Xenomorph is a 1990 video game published and developed by Pandora for MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST and Commodore 64.
Contents
Gameplay
Xenomorph is a science-fiction role-playing video game, viewed from a first-person perspective with an icon-driven interface that drew comparisons with Dungeon Master. The storyline is influenced by the early Alien franchise. The player controls a janitor on a two-year supply run to Sirius who wakes from cryosleep after traversing hyperspace (the big empty) to find his ship, the Mombassa Oak, has been crippled on arrival at its destination (part of it remaining in hyperspace) leaving the ship's computer system failing. The janitor manually pilots the failing ship to the mining platform, Astargatis, to find that the human population has vanished. The player must search the platform for microchips and fuel rods that can be used to repair the Mombassa Oak. In addition, the player must defend himself against the aliens that are responsible for the attack on Astargatis. The player needs to manage weapons, medical supplies, keycard access, food, energy, and radiation levels in order to survive.
Critics pointed out that drawing a map is important in progressing in Xenomorph, as it is easy to get lost or miss an important location.
Critical reception
Xenomorph was critically well received. C&VG highlighted the well-drawn aliens and scenery, addictiveness, and atmosphere of solitude. Some jerky animation was criticised, but overall the Amiga and Atari versions were awarded 90%. Amiga Format awarded 83%, finding the 3D view to be well implemented, and the weapons and equipment to be varied, well-designed and graphically impressive. The lack of a wide variety of sound effects was criticized, as was the lack of an "outer-space" atmosphere.