Misplaced Pages

Xenophobe (video game): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 03:59, 13 June 2023 editCukie Gherkin (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, File movers, New page reviewers, Rollbackers17,974 edits Undid revision 1159269670 by Govvy (talk) No reply to user talk discussion; the Atari Lynx box art does not itself have discussion about it, and the flyer also provides visual representation of the game.Tags: Undo Reverted← Previous edit Latest revision as of 18:23, 7 November 2024 edit undo2601:140:8d82:1510:b09d:8195:1f9c:3874 (talk) →Gameplay 
(21 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Infobox video game {{Infobox video game
|title = Xenophobe |title = Xenophobe
Line 6: Line 7:
|publisher = Bally Midway<br>]<br>Sunsoft (NES)<br>] |publisher = Bally Midway<br>]<br>Sunsoft (NES)<br>]
|designer = ]<br>Howard Shere |designer = ]<br>Howard Shere
|composer = Michael Bartlow <small>(arcade)</small><br>Naohisa Morota <small>(NES)</small> |composer = Michael Bartlow (arcade)<br>Naohisa Morota (NES)
|released = ] |released = 1987
|genre = Shooter |genre = Shooter
|modes = 1-3 players simultaneously |modes = 1-3 players simultaneously
Line 13: Line 14:
}} }}


'''''Xenophobe''''' is a video game developed by ] and released in arcades in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10503 |title=Xenophobe |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> ]s, moons, ships, and space cities are infested with ]s, and the players have to kill the aliens before each is completely overrun. The screen is split into three horizontally-scrolling windows, one for each of up to three players, yet all players are in the same game world.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Great Forgotten Arcade Games We Want Revived|url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/10-great-forgotten-arcade-games-we-want-revived?page=8|website=WhatCulture|author=Lee|date=May 8, 2013}}</ref> '''''Xenophobe''''' is a video game developed by ] and released in arcades in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10503 |title=Xenophobe |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> ]s, moons, ships, and space cities are infested with ]s, and the players have to kill the aliens before each is completely overrun. The screen is split into three horizontally-scrolling windows, one for each of up to three players, yet all players are in the same game world.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Great Forgotten Arcade Games We Want Revived|url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/10-great-forgotten-arcade-games-we-want-revived?page=8|website=WhatCulture|author=Lee|date=May 8, 2013}}</ref>


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
⚫ ''Xenophobe'' is an action ] game. The goal of each level is to defeat all the aliens before a countdown timer runs out. Some rooms routinely display the percentage of alien infection and time remaining until self-destruct when the level ends (but a nearby button can temporarily deactivate the count-down). Levels may contain more than one floor, and players use elevators to move between floors. Players can also pick up more powerful weapons to help in their eradication of the aliens.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=4—6}}
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{Game guide|date=October 2020}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2019}}
}}


The hostile Xenos are encounted in a range of forms, beginning with Pods. If Pods hatch, they create a Critter which can attach itself to the player and drain health. If a Critter is not killed, it eventually matures into a Rollerbaby, which roll around to attack the player character. These in turn can grow into the Snotterpillar form, which attacks by leaping or spitting.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=7-8}}
⚫ The goal of each level is to defeat all the aliens before time runs out. Some rooms routinely display the percentage of alien infection and time remaining until self-destruct when the level ends (but a nearby button can temporarily deactivate the count-down). Levels may contain more than one floor, and players use elevators (and sometimes holes in the floor) to move between floors to defeat all of the aliens. Players can also pick up more powerful weapons and other items to help in their eradication of the aliens.


In the arcade and Lynx versions, an extra enemy called the Festor can appear in doorways, which can hypnotize and trap players, as well as throw eggs. If the egg lands on a screen with a player, it grows into another Pod.{{sfn|Atari|1990|pp=16—17}}
The hostile aliens (known as "Xenos") come in different forms. If "Eggs" hatch, they create a "Critter" which can attach itself to the player and drain health. If a Critter is not killed, it eventually matures into a "Roller". Rollers are one of the tougher enemies, as they can ball themselves up and roll around while impervious to the players' guns. Rollers sometimes grow into the "Warrior" form, which attacks by leaping and requires multiple hits to kill from most weapons. Warriors are able to spit damaging acid across rooms. This acid also drips from the ceiling in some rooms. They also have a devastating leap attack that will knock down and disarm. One of the more insidious attacks in a Warrior's arsenal is its ability to disarm a player. Simply walking past a Warrior can cause the player's gun to drop to the floor. Other Xenos include "Tentacles" that randomly appear from the deck or ceiling, and trap or strangle the player respectively, and the "Queen" which appears either in doorways or behind certain backgrounds and throws proto-eggs at the players and shoots hypnotic eye beams which trap players and drain their health. If the proto-egg lands on a screen with a player, it grows into another Egg.


As players go through the various maps, they encounter various items to be picked up. Some are only for bonus points at the end of the level, while others are immediately useful to the players. Still other items are useful in the right room. Items collected are counted, and bonus points awarded for each collected. The player collects "credits", each of which gives the player a certain amount of health, which counts down even without combat. Food and some rooms replenish a player's health. The game cycles through levels, increasing the difficulty each cycle, until all players die and no one continues. It is entirely possible to do well enough to continue playing without adding more credits. As players go through the various maps, they encounter various items to be picked up. Some only award bonus points at the end of the level, while others are immediately useful to the players, by restoring health. There are three ways a player can conclude a mission. If the player runs out of time, they are evacuated and the station is overrun. Alternatively, the player can kill a number of Xenos, then self-destruct the space station, gaining bonus points for each enemy defeated. Finally, the player can successfully defeat all the alien invaders, and recover the space station safely, to earn a larger point and health bonus.{{sfn|Atari|1989|pp=4}}

In some ports of the game, a player can play as a Snotterpillar and try to stop other players clearing the space station.{{sfn|Atari|1990|pp=12-13}}


==Characters== ==Characters==
Line 31: Line 31:


==Ports== ==Ports==
] published ''Xenophobe'' for the ], ], ], and the ]. The 7800 port was by ], and the Lynx version by ]. An ] port was worked on, but not published.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Xenophobe |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/8bit/software/xenophobe/xenophobe.htm |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> ] published ''Xenophobe'' for the ], ], ], and the ]. The 7800 port was by ], and the Lynx version by ]. A port to ] was worked on, but not published.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Xenophobe |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/8bit/software/xenophobe/xenophobe.htm |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref>


] ported ''Xenophobe'' to the NES. The ] port was done by ]. The game was also released for the ], ], and ]. ] ported ''Xenophobe'' to the NES. The ] port was done by ]. The game was also released for the ], ], and ].
Line 44: Line 44:


===Atari Lynx=== ===Atari Lynx===
In a capsule review of the Lynx version for '']'', ] commented, "The graphics in some rooms are more detailed than in others, and in general, aren't as impressive as those in '']'', a similar game. Also, the complicated controls take some getting used to."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Clayton |last=Walnum |author-link=Clayton Walnum|title=The Lynx Collection|magazine=]|issue=39 |publisher=Antic Publishing |date=December 1990|page=73 |url=https://archive.org/stream/STart-Magazine-Issue-39}}</ref> Julian Rignall reviewed the game in the January 1991 issue of CVG Magazine. He went on to say "the graphics and sound are both excellent" with "the gameplay is challenging and addictive". "A fun game which offers plenty of entertainment," giving a final rating of 79 out of 100.<ref name=cvg>{{cite magazine |title=Latest Lynx Lowndown |page=137 |issue=110 |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-110/CVG_110_Jan_1991#page/n0/mode/2up |date=January 1991 |access-date=24 March 2018 |publisher=CVG Magazine |author=Julian Rignall}}</ref> In a capsule review of the Lynx version for '']'', ] commented, "The graphics in some rooms are more detailed than in others, and in general, aren't as impressive as those in '']'', a similar game. Also, the complicated controls take some getting used to."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Clayton |last=Walnum |author-link=Clayton Walnum|title=The Lynx Collection|magazine=]|issue=39 |publisher=Antic Publishing |date=December 1990|page=73 |url=https://archive.org/stream/STart-Magazine-Issue-39}}</ref> Julian Rignall reviewed the game in the January 1991 issue of CVG Magazine. He went on to say "the graphics and sound are both excellent" with "the gameplay is challenging and addictive". "A fun game which offers plenty of entertainment," giving a final rating of 79 out of 100.<ref name=cvg>{{cite magazine |title=Latest Lynx Lowndown |page=137 |issue=110 |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-110/CVG_110_Jan_1991#page/n0/mode/2up |date=January 1991 |access-date=24 March 2018 |magazine=CVG Magazine |author=Julian Rignall}}</ref>


Les Ellis of Raze Magazine also reviewed the game for the Atari Lynx calling it an addictive game with excellent graphics, giving a score of 94%.<ref name=raze>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/raze-magazine-04/Raze_04_Feb_1991#page/n27 |via=archive.org |publisher=Raze Magazine |author=Les Ellis|title=Xenophobe |page=28 |issue=4 |date=February 1991 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref> Robert A. Jung review was published to IGN, in it he wrote that Xenophobe was "arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration." Giving a final score of 8 out of 10.<ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/xenophobe |title=Lynx Xenophobe is arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration.|publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Robert A. Jung |date=6 July 1999 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref> Les Ellis of Raze Magazine also reviewed the game for the Atari Lynx calling it an addictive game with excellent graphics, giving a score of 94%.<ref name=raze>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/raze-magazine-04/Raze_04_Feb_1991#page/n27 |via=archive.org |publisher=Raze Magazine |author=Les Ellis|title=Xenophobe |page=28 |issue=4 |date=February 1991 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref> Robert A. Jung review was published to IGN, in it he wrote that Xenophobe was "arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration." Giving a final score of 8 out of 10.<ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/xenophobe |title=Lynx Xenophobe is arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration.|publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Robert A. Jung |date=6 July 1999 |access-date=16 August 2018 }}</ref>


==Legacy== ==Legacy==
In 2004 ''Xenophobe'' was included in ] '']'' for the ], ], and ]. In 2005, ''Xenophobe'' was included in '']'' on the PSP. In 2012, it was included in '']'' for the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review |title=Midway Arcade Origins Rewivew |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Samuel Claiborn |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=26 March 2018 }}</ref> In 2004 ''Xenophobe'' was included in ] '']'' for the ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Midway Arcade Treasures 2 lineup shuffled|publisher=]|date=3 Aug 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/midwayarcadetreasuresii/news.html?sid=6104042|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103010625/http://www.gamespot.com/news/midway-arcade-treasures-2-lineup-shuffled-6104042| archive-date= 3 Nov 2012|url-status= dead|accessdate=25 June 2023}}</ref> In 2005, ''Xenophobe'' was included in '']'' on the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Dec 2005 |title=Midway Press Release: PR 2005-12-12 B |url=http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3786.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111053634/http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3786.html |archive-date=11 Nov 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, it was included in '']'' for the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review |title=Midway Arcade Origins Review |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Samuel Claiborn |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=26 March 2018 }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Xenophobe_1989_U_color/mode/2up |title=Xenophobe (1989) Atari 7800 Video Game Manual |publisher=] |year=1989 |ref={{SfnRef|Atari|1989}}}}
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Xenophobe_1990/page/n1/mode/2up |title=Xenophobe (1990) Atari Lynx Video Game Manual |publisher=] |year=1990 |ref={{SfnRef|Atari|1990}}}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{KLOV game|10503|name=Xenophobe}} *{{KLOV game|10503|name=Xenophobe}}
*{{atarimania|id=10905}}
* for the Atari ST at Atari Mania
*{{WoS game|id=0005793|name=Xenophobe}} *{{WoS game|id=0005793|name=Xenophobe}}
*{{mobygames|/8255}}



] ]
Line 68: Line 73:
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 18:23, 7 November 2024

1987 video game 1987 video game
Xenophobe
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Bally Midway
Blue Sky Software
Sunsoft (NES)
Epyx (Lynx)
Publisher(s)Bally Midway
Atari Corporation
Sunsoft (NES)
MicroStyle
Designer(s)Brian Colin
Howard Shere
Composer(s)Michael Bartlow (arcade)
Naohisa Morota (NES)
Platform(s)Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Lynx, ZX Spectrum, NES
Release1987
Genre(s)Shooter
Mode(s)1-3 players simultaneously

Xenophobe is a video game developed by Bally Midway and released in arcades in 1987. Starbases, moons, ships, and space cities are infested with aliens, and the players have to kill the aliens before each is completely overrun. The screen is split into three horizontally-scrolling windows, one for each of up to three players, yet all players are in the same game world.

Gameplay

Xenophobe is an action platformer game. The goal of each level is to defeat all the aliens before a countdown timer runs out. Some rooms routinely display the percentage of alien infection and time remaining until self-destruct when the level ends (but a nearby button can temporarily deactivate the count-down). Levels may contain more than one floor, and players use elevators to move between floors. Players can also pick up more powerful weapons to help in their eradication of the aliens.

The hostile Xenos are encounted in a range of forms, beginning with Pods. If Pods hatch, they create a Critter which can attach itself to the player and drain health. If a Critter is not killed, it eventually matures into a Rollerbaby, which roll around to attack the player character. These in turn can grow into the Snotterpillar form, which attacks by leaping or spitting.

In the arcade and Lynx versions, an extra enemy called the Festor can appear in doorways, which can hypnotize and trap players, as well as throw eggs. If the egg lands on a screen with a player, it grows into another Pod.

As players go through the various maps, they encounter various items to be picked up. Some only award bonus points at the end of the level, while others are immediately useful to the players, by restoring health. There are three ways a player can conclude a mission. If the player runs out of time, they are evacuated and the station is overrun. Alternatively, the player can kill a number of Xenos, then self-destruct the space station, gaining bonus points for each enemy defeated. Finally, the player can successfully defeat all the alien invaders, and recover the space station safely, to earn a larger point and health bonus.

In some ports of the game, a player can play as a Snotterpillar and try to stop other players clearing the space station.

Characters

There are nine characters to choose from in Xenophobe, three for each joystick. The leftmost controller (red) features Mr. M.Brace, Dr. Kwack, and Col. Poupon. The middle controller (yellow) features Mr. Fogg, Col F. Truth, and Dr. Udderbay. The right controller (blue) features Mr. Eeez, Dr. Zordirz, and Col. Schickn. Humans and aliens alike make up the playable characters—for instance, Dr. Kwack has a duck's head. Players are also color-coded; for instance, the left player's choices wear red shirts, middle player's yellow, right player's blue.

Ports

Atari Corporation published Xenophobe for the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari ST, and the Lynx. The 7800 port was by BlueSky Software, and the Lynx version by Epyx. A port to Atari 8-bit computers was worked on, but not published.

Sunsoft ported Xenophobe to the NES. The Commodore 64 port was done by Microplay. The game was also released for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Computer and Video GamesLynx: 79/100
GameProLynx: 18/25
IGNLynx: 8/10
RazeLynx: 94%

Atari Lynx

In a capsule review of the Lynx version for STart, Clayton Walnum commented, "The graphics in some rooms are more detailed than in others, and in general, aren't as impressive as those in ElectroCop, a similar game. Also, the complicated controls take some getting used to." Julian Rignall reviewed the game in the January 1991 issue of CVG Magazine. He went on to say "the graphics and sound are both excellent" with "the gameplay is challenging and addictive". "A fun game which offers plenty of entertainment," giving a final rating of 79 out of 100.

Les Ellis of Raze Magazine also reviewed the game for the Atari Lynx calling it an addictive game with excellent graphics, giving a score of 94%. Robert A. Jung review was published to IGN, in it he wrote that Xenophobe was "arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration." Giving a final score of 8 out of 10.

Legacy

In 2004 Xenophobe was included in Midway's Arcade Treasures 2 for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. In 2005, Xenophobe was included in Midway Arcade Treasures: Extended Play on the PSP. In 2012, it was included in Midway Arcade Origins for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

References

Citations

  1. "Xenophobe". The International Arcade Museum. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  2. Lee (May 8, 2013). "10 Great Forgotten Arcade Games We Want Revived". WhatCulture.
  3. Atari 1989, pp. 4–6.
  4. Atari 1989, pp. 7–8.
  5. Atari 1990, pp. 16–17.
  6. Atari 1989, pp. 4.
  7. Atari 1990, pp. 12–13.
  8. Reichert, Matt. "Xenophobe". AtariProtos.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. Aslan, Charlie T. (November 1990). "Lynx ProView: Xenophobe" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 124–126.
  10. ^ Julian Rignall (January 1991). "Latest Lynx Lowndown". CVG Magazine. No. 110. p. 137. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  11. ^ Les Ellis (February 1991). "Xenophobe". Raze Magazine. p. 28. Retrieved 16 August 2018 – via archive.org.
  12. ^ Robert A. Jung (6 July 1999). "Lynx Xenophobe is arguably more fun than its arcade inspiration". IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  13. Walnum, Clayton (December 1990). "The Lynx Collection". STart. No. 39. Antic Publishing. p. 73.
  14. "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 lineup shuffled". GameSpot. 3 Aug 2004. Archived from the original on 3 Nov 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  15. "Midway Press Release: PR 2005-12-12 B". 12 Dec 2005. Archived from the original on 11 Nov 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  16. Samuel Claiborn (13 November 2012). "Midway Arcade Origins Review". IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 26 March 2018.

Bibliography

External links

Categories: