Alien Breed (video game)

Team17

Industry	Video game development
Founded	1990
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Alien Breed series

Alien Breed is a 1991 top-down run and gun video game developed by Team17 for the Amiga platform, with a subsequent release in 1993 by MicroLeague for MS-DOS. It marks the first installment in the Alien Breed series.

The title takes heavy cues from the Alien movie series, especially Aliens, while also drawing inspiration from classic 8-bit games such as Laser Squad, Paradroid, and the arcade hit Gauntlet.

Gameplay

Players progress through levels by locating elevators that transport them to lower stages, occasionally triggering self-destruct sequences to clear upper sections. Throughout the space station, credits can be collected and spent on weapons and upgrades via in-game computer terminals named Intex. Certain editions include extra features accessible at these terminals, like a Pong-style mini-game. The game challenges players with increasingly difficult alien adversaries and boss battles, requiring careful management of weapons and resources.

Release

Team17 released an introductory "intro disk" containing a brief animated narrative that establishes the game's plot. This disk functions as a "disk zero," instructing players to insert disk one after viewing. A comparable intro disk was created for Superfrog, showcasing animation by Eric W. Schwartz; however, that was included with the commercial version.

Amiga

On the Amiga, Alien Breed garnered mostly positive critiques. For instance, CU Amiga labeled it a "winner" from Team17.

MS-DOS

The MS-DOS version received mixed feedback. PC Gamer US pointed out its limited gameplay variety and described the audio as "shallow" and "tinny," highlighting compatibility issues with the Pro Audio Spectrum sound card; nonetheless, it was acknowledged as a "solid shooter" delivering "high-octane fun." Computer Gaming World criticized the copy protection as "asinine" but regarded it as an entertaining action game suitable for brief play sessions. They noted that the DOS port lagged technologically behind competitors, citing reliance on mission codes instead of save game functionality and less depth compared to titles like Doom. Despite its fast-paced gameplay and appealing graphics, they concluded it might not suit typical computer gamers but could attract more casual players or fans of Nintendo games.

Computer and Video Games reported various bugs in this port, including screen flickering, inability to purchase weapons from Intex terminals, and crashes, which detracted from an otherwise accurate adaptation of the Amiga original.

James V. Trunzo reviewed it in White Wolf #45 (July 1994), rating it as "Good." He described Alien Breed as an enjoyable and accessible sci-fi action title—akin to a toned-down version of EA's Space Hulk—that provides entertaining cooperative gameplay relative to its cost.

Legacy

The budget re-release titled Alien Breed Special Edition '92 stayed on British software charts for over twelve months and featured a rare cinematic-style commercial promoting Team17's upcoming Superfrog. Available on Amiga and Amiga CD32 (the latter bundled with Qwak), this edition bolstered the franchise's commercial success.

Both the original game and Special Edition led to sequels that consistently achieved favorable sales and critical acclaim. The protagonists transitioned from Johnson and Stone to John and Nash by the time of Alien Breed: Tower Assault. Additionally, the series incorporated female voiceovers for in-game alerts, enhancing player immersion.

In 2012, ports of Alien Breed were launched on iOS and Android platforms, earning positive reviews and broadening its audience within mobile gaming markets.