| Alien Breed Evolution | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Team 17 |
| Series | Alien Breed |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3[1] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 (PlayStation Network), Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade) |
| Release date(s) | XBLA December 16, 2009 PC (Steam) June 3, 2010 PSN September 1, 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Isometric shooter |
| Rating(s) |
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| Media/distribution | Digital download |
| System requirements
[2] Minimum system requirements
Recommended system requirements
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Alien Breed Evolution is a video game in Team 17's Alien Breed series and is the first new title in the series since 1996. It was released digitally on Xbox Live Arcade on December 16, 2009. An updated version, called Alien Breed: Impact, was released on PlayStation Network and through Steam on PC on June 3, 2010.[3] In September 2010, Alien Breed 2: Assault was released on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.[4]
Contents |
Alien Breed Evolution is a top-down isometric shooter set onboard futuristic space craft. In each level, the main character, Conrad, is set a series of tasks, such as collecting key cards, restoring power, or escorting innocents, which he must complete before finding that level's exit in the form of an elevator. Standing in his way are several different types of aliens who will attack him, usually en masse. Conrad can run and shoot in all directions, and can collect a number of different weapons and items to aid him. The camera angle can be rotated manually in 45 degree increments. There are also several data pads to collect, which provide information on the different alien species that Conrad encounters throughout the game, back story information on the games characters, and additional information on the games locations.
Theodore J. Conrad is an engineer on the spaceship Leopold when it drops out of hyperspace and has a collision with a mysterious ghost ship which is populated by numerous hostile alien beings. Just before the collision, Conrad is visited by the android Mia, who asks him why he is against synthetics (the name for androids in the game) and saves him from a piece of debris, from the ghost ship, that pierces Conrad's room when the collision occurs. Mia then sends Conrad to restart the Leopold's engines to avert both ships from crashing into the unnamed planet below. Conrad discovers that the engines are too badly damaged and boards the ghost ship to attempt to restart its engines. He discovers that the ship is controlled by an anti-human force and its defenses have been programed to attack humans on site. He eventually comes across a large pool, out of which a large alien rises during a communication from Mia. Conrad says to Mia, "I'll call you back", and ends the game on a cliffhanger.
In the co-op Assault multiplayer levels, two men, Thadeus Barnes and Eddie Vance, are trying to locate Conrad; they eventually find him in the engine room where Mia tells them that a hull breach in the hydroponics section threatens to destroy the ship. They volunteer to seal this hull breach; on succeeding in this task, their campaign ends.
A version of Alien Breed Evolution was released on PlayStation Network and Steam, renamed Alien Breed: Impact. This version was expanded to include redesigned aliens and an Upgrade Shop.[5]
Alien Breed Evolution received generally positive reviews, although many reviewers found the game repetitive and complained about the lack of variety. It achieved a Metacritic average of 69%. IGN commented that "Anyone who played the original Alien Breed back in the day will find their simple top-down shooter is all grown up with great lighting effects, an atmospheric soundtrack, and affecting cinematic events -- but the gameplay itself is rooted in 1990."[6] EuroGamer praised the production values, but added that "a flawed approach to co-op play and an inherent lack of variety ultimately count against it."[7] Edge gave a scathing review, stating "Repetitive and simplistic, Alien Breed Evolution may remain true to its inspiration, but this first episode does no more than reinforce Team 17's reputation for serviceable but uninspiring updates of past glories."[8]
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