Alcatraz (video game)

221B Software Productions

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	France
Products	Alcatraz (1992 video game)

Alcatraz is a shooter game created by 221B Software Productions and released by Infogrames in 1992. Available on MS-DOS, Atari ST, and Amiga platforms, it acts as a spiritual sequel to Infogrames' 1988 release Hostages.

Plot

The deserted Alcatraz Island, formerly known for its infamous prison, has become the headquarters for criminal Miguel Tardiez's drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering activities. To counter this, the US Navy SEALs send agents Bird and Fist to infiltrate the island, dismantle illegal stockpiles, and apprehend Tardiez. These operatives must stealthily maneuver through enemy forces, breach secured buildings, neutralize threats, and sabotage contraband. The operation concludes with Tardiez’s capture after intercepting his helicopter escape attempt.

Gameplay

Comprising six stages, Alcatraz alternates viewpoints according to mission demands. Outdoor segments utilize side-scrolling mechanics where players control a commando navigating hostile zones, employing stealth strategies and collecting weapons dropped by foes. Indoor missions transition to a first-person perspective, tasking players with exploring single-level areas to find and either seize or destroy caches of drugs, money, documents, and weapons using timed explosives. Enemy soldiers patrol hallways and rooms throughout these levels.

The display is divided either horizontally or vertically to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple action zones. After completing the fifth level, players may choose to head directly for extraction or further explore the cell house by climbing while evading searchlights. This exploration ends with descending a rope slide to reach the extraction point and finalize the mission.

Reception

Amiga Action commented that "many players may consider the gameplay outdated and quickly lose interest," whereas Amiga Computing provided a more favorable assessment, describing Alcatraz as "an advancement over Hostages" and applauding the side-scrolling shooting segments as "truly excellent," although its 3D portions were viewed as less remarkable but still entertaining.

Legacy

In 2010, an unofficial remake was developed by City Interactive.