Alien Storm

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega Drive version, see Alien Storm (Mega Drive).

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Alien Storm Title.png

Alien Storm
System(s): Sega System 18, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
U.S. Gold
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
ES
Amiga
UK
Atari ST
UK
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette) 		£10.9910.99[2]
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Disk) 		£15.9915.99[2]
Sega Master System
EU 		7075
Sega Master System
UK 		£29.9929.99[5][4]
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR 		GB-2008

Alien Storm (エイリアンストーム) is a 1990 beat 'em up game released by Sega for Sega System 18 hardware (supposedly the second game for that platform).

Story

When aliens invade earth, it's up to a special forces team known as the "Alien Busters," to get rid of them.

Gameplay

Alien Storm is very similar in nature to Sega's earlier title, Golden Axe, though sports a futuristic setting and occasional bonus rounds, and the pace of play is much faster.

Playable characters

Alien Storm has three playable characters, however for unknown reasons their appearance and names differ between ports and regional variants of the game.

{{{imagewidths}}} Gordon (ゴードン)
{{{imagewidths}}} Karla (カーラ)
Karla is missing from the Master System version.
{{{imagewidths}}} Scooter (スクーター) / Slammer
The overseas Master System versions of the game rename this character "Slammer".

History

Legacy

Alien Storm was ported to a variety of platforms, including the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sega Master System and ZX Spectrum, most of which being released in 1991.

Versions

Master System version

On the Master System, Alien Storm is a one-player only game.

Commodore 64 version

The Commodore 64 version was produced by Tiertex, and like other home ports of the game, only allows two players on screen at any given time (and to save on memory, both players control the same character). Introduction sequences were cut to save space, while some sections of the game were altered to reduce the impact of multi-loading (i.e. having to load data from the cassette mid-play)[7].

Tiertex used Atari STs to program the C64 game[7], but relied on Amiga computers for the graphics. For the Commodore 64 version, all sprites were re-drawn by hand, using ripped sprites from the arcade board as guidelines[7], while the backgrounds were converted through a bespoke Amiga program[7].

Music was composed on a synthesizer, imported to an Atari ST with help from the system's built-in MIDI ports, and then adjusted for use with the Commodore 64[7].

Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions

The Amstrad and Spectrum versions, also produced by Tiertex, are largely the same game, however the Spectrum is played in monochrome with higher resolution graphics. Neither feature in-game music.

Production credits

Master System version

Source:
In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Alien Storm/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • System 18 US flyer

  • System 18 JP flyer

  • Mega Drive UK TV advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #118: "September 1991" (1991-08-15)
also published in:
  • ACE (UK) #50: "November 1991" (1991-10-08)[8]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #119: "October 1991" (1991-09-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #120: "November 1991" (1991-10-15)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Amiga/Commodore 64 print advert in K (IT) #32: "Ottobre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

System 18 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88 №106, p66/67[11]
Arcade
 88
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Alien Storm

System 18, US
AlienStorm System18 US Manual.pdf
Manual
System 18, JP
AlienStorm System18 JP InstructionCard.jpg

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №6, p110/111[12]
71 №123, p20[5]
18 №5, p38/39
62 №7, p100/101[13]
82 №4
86 №23, p135[14]
38 №17, p104/105[15]
69 №16, p93[16]
59 №28, p48
80 №5, p34[17]
78 №13, p25
80 №2, p72/73[18]
Sega Master System
 67
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
25
[19]
Consoles + (FR)
80
[12]
Console XS (UK) PAL
80
[20]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
71
[5]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
38
[21]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
18
[22]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
62
[23]
Joypad (FR)
82
[24]
Joystick (FR)
86
[14]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
70
[25]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
38
[15]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
38
[26]
Player One (FR)
69
[16]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
59
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
80
[17]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
78
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
87
[29]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
80
[18]
Video Games (DE)
60
[30]
Sega Master System
 63
Based on
19 reviews

Alien Storm

Master System, EU
AStorm ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

AlienStorm SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
AlienStorm SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
AlienStormSMSBRManual.PDF
Manual
Master System, KR
AlienStorm SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
42 №1991-11, p45[31]
44 №9, p97/98[32]
69 №40, p108[33]
83 №22, p242[34]
Amiga
 60
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga Joker (DE)
42
[31]
Amiga Power (UK)
44
[32]
Games-X (UK)
70
[35]
Génération 4 (FR)
69
[33]
Joystick (FR)
83
[34]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[36]
Power Play (DE)
44
[37]
User (GR)
61
[38]
Amiga
 59
Based on
8 reviews

Alien Storm

Amiga, UK

Amiga, ES

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83 №20, p204/205[39]
Amstrad CPC
 83
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Joystick (FR)
83
[39]
Amstrad CPC
 83
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)

Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, ES (disk)
AlienStorm CPC ES Box Front Disk.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
69 №40, p108[33]
Atari ST
 69
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Génération 4 (FR)
69
[33]
Atari ST
 69
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
86 №13, p36/37[40]
Commodore 64
 86
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore Format (UK)
86
[40]
Commodore 64
 86
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Commodore 64, UK
AlienStorm C64 UK Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAlienStorm C64 UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm C64 UK Cassette.jpg
Cassette

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №93, p56/57[2]
75 №70, p54/55[41]
ZX Spectrum
 82
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Crash (UK)
89
[2]
Your Sinclair (UK)
75
[41]
ZX Spectrum
 82
Based on
2 reviews

Alien Storm

ZX Spectrum, UK

ZX Spectrum, ES

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 File:CVG UK 116.pdf, page 16
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 File:Crash UK 093.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Crash UK 093.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 9
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:CVG UK 120.pdf, page 83
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 File:CVG UK 123.pdf, page 20 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 123.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ File:Supergame BR 07.pdf, page 28
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 File:Zzap64 UK 075.pdf, page 29
  8. ↑ ACE, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-08), page 40
  9. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-15), page 2
  10. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-15), page 36
  11. ↑ File:CVG UK 106.pdf, page 66
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 006.pdf, page 110 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 006.pdf_p110" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 007.pdf, page 92
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:Joystick FR 023.pdf, page 135 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 023.pdf_p135" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 File:MeanMachines UK 17.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 17.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 File:PlayerOne FR 016.pdf, page 93 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 016.pdf_p93" defined multiple times with different content
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:SegaForce UK 02.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 02.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129
  20. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  21. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 127
  22. ↑ Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 38
  23. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  24. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 44
  25. ↑ Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 89
  26. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  27. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 48
  28. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 25
  29. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  30. ↑ Video Games, "4/91" (DE; 1991-12-06), page 40
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 File:AmigaJoker DE 1991-11.pdf, page 45 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:AmigaJoker DE 1991-11.pdf_p45" defined multiple times with different content
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 File:AmigaPower UK 09.pdf, page 97 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:AmigaPower UK 09.pdf_p97" defined multiple times with different content
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 File:Generation4 FR 040.pdf, page 108 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 040.pdf_p108" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 040.pdf_p108" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 040.pdf_p108" defined multiple times with different content
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 File:Joystick FR 022.pdf, page 242 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 022.pdf_p242" defined multiple times with different content
  35. ↑ Games-X, "29th August-4th September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 22
  36. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 26
  37. ↑ Power Play, "12/91" (DE; 1991-11-13), page 133
  38. ↑ User, "Aprílios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 File:Joystick FR 020.pdf, page 204 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 020.pdf_p204" defined multiple times with different content
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 File:CommodoreFormat UK 13.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CommodoreFormat UK 13.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:YourSinclair UK 70.pdf, page 54 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourSinclair UK 70.pdf_p54" defined multiple times with different content
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