Alien Carnage
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| Alien Carnage | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Interactive Binary Illusions/SubZero Software |
| Publisher(s) | Apogee Software |
| Designer(s) | John Passfield, Robert Crane |
| License | Freeware |
| Series | Halloween Harry |
| Platform(s) | MS-DOS |
| Release date | 10 October 1993 (HH) 2 November 1994 (AC) 1996 (ZW) |
| Genre(s) | Side-scrolling platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | OFLC: G8+ |
| Media | Floppy disk (1) (shareware) Download (freeware) |
| System requirements | 286 Computer (386 or higher recommended), 550k of conventional memory |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Joystick |
Alien Carnage, also known as Halloween Harry, is a side-scrolling platform game written by SubZero Software and distributed by Apogee Software. The cartoon-style game features agent Halloween Harry who has to save the world from aliens who want to take over control of Earth by turning its population into green-skinned zombies. Some of the enemies reference Aliens, Gremlins, and Elvis Presley. Harry is helped by controller Diane, who gives him information via a video link. The game features 256 colour VGA graphics and background music in a format similar to MOD.
In May 2007, John Passfield and 3D Realms released Alien Carnage as freeware.[citation needed]
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[edit] The name
The game was originally titled Halloween Harry and was released under this title for the two versions. After v1.2, Apogee suggested to the developers that the title should be changed because it might be viewed as a seasonal Halloween-themed game, limiting sales during the rest of the year[1]. They proposed Alien Carnage, and it was re-released as "Alien Carnage v1.0" in 1994. Along with the name change, episodes one and three were switched, and with Apogee's shareware model, this meant that half of the game could be played for free.
[edit] Gameplay
In the game, Harry has to shoot zombies and aliens with his flamethrower and other weapons, rescuing hostages along the way. Instead of jumping, Harry uses a jetpack to reach higher platforms. His jetpack shares ammo with his flamethrower, which means it is best for the player to use both sparingly. Harry can eat and drink junk food to gain health, and upgrade to different kinds of ammo by using ammo dispensers. Harry needs to collect coins dropped by killed enemies to buy this ammo. He can also pick up other power-ups with various effects. He can use computer terminals scattered across the levels to save his progress.
[edit] Zombie Wars
In 1996 a sequel called Zombie Wars was released. In this game, which takes place three years after the original story, the aliens return to Earth to try and enslave its population. Harry and Diane, who has been promoted to field agent and is now also a playable character, have to save the world again. A number of other friendly characters have been added as NPCs.
[edit] Cartoon
Gee-Whiz Entertainment (formerly Interactive Binary Illusions) made plans for an animated cartoon based on the third, future Alien Carnage game. The cartoon was to include Harry and Diane, the NPCs, as well as probably recurring alien and zombies characters.
The script was roughly based on the script for Zombie Wars, but both the game and the cartoon were never made.[2]
