Bio Menace
| Bio Menace | |
|---|---|
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Title screen | |
| Developer(s) | Apogee Software |
| Publisher(s) | Apogee Software |
| Designer(s) | Jim Norwood |
| Composer(s) | Robert Prince |
| Platform(s) | DOS |
| Release date(s) | August 3, 1993 |
| Genre(s) | Run and gun/platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Bio Menace is a 2D, side-scrolling, platform game developed and published by Apogee Software in 1993 for MS-DOS. It was built on a licensed version of id Software's Commander Keen game engine, and was known as Bio Hazard during production. Apart from the engine and music, all in-game content was created by the game's designer, Jim Norwood.
The player controls the protagonist, Snake Logan, a top CIA operative. Upon receiving reports of Metro City being invaded by mutants, Logan is ordered to fly recon over the city. However, after crash landing in Metro City, Logan is forced to complete his mission on foot.
Distribution
The game has three episodes, the first of which was released as shareware, the rest being available commercially. The episodes are "Dr. Mangle's Lab", "The Hidden Lab" and "Master Cain". Sales of the game were discontinued in 2000 due to problems with more modern operating systems. Apogee released the game as freeware on December 23, 2005 as a "Christmas present" and the full game can be downloaded from the Apogee website. It is likely that this decision was made due to the results of an earlier poll on the 3D Realms forums, where visitors could pick a game they would like to see released as freeware from a list of discontinued Apogee games. On 23rd October in 2014, 3D Realms released 3D Realms Anthology, which included Bio Menace in the collection.[1]
Gameplay
The object of the game is to control the main character Snake Logan through the levels of each episode killing monsters, avoiding traps, picking up powerups and bonus items and obtaining key items. Before he gets to the exit he is required to find a crystal shard or keycard. To obtain one he must either rescue a hostage, or kill boss monster. There are exceptions where he can exit without any key, hostage or boss encounter.
Reception
The game was reviewed in 1994 in Dragon #202 by Sandy Petersen in the "Eye of the Monitor" column. Petersen gave the game 2 out of 5 stars.[2] GameSpot rated the game with a 7.9 score.[3]
References
- ↑ https://3drealms.com/catalog/3d-realms-anthology_50/
- ↑ Petersen, Sandy (February 1994). "Eye of the Monitor". Dragon (202): 61–65.
- ↑ "Bio Menace Reviews – Gamespot". Gamespot. Retrieved May 29, 2015.