Moo-d Swings- Alien Havoc Review

At first glance, Alien Havoc fits this description remarkably. Reasonably priced at $5 USD, the title purports to offer twenty levels of straightforward, retro-themed fun. The goal of each stage is pleasantly simple- the title’s extraterrestrial protagonist must collect all the cows scattered around the environment and return them to his saucer-shaped spacecraft. Prohibiting the collection of each level’s bovine population are an assortment of farmers who ride on tractors, linger around barns, or disguise themselves as scarecrows in desolate fields. Each foe lacks any kind of strategic intelligence- some will make a bee-line toward an imposing player, while other drive their equipment in repetitive patterns.

As such, Alien Havoc has all the necessary elements for an uncomplicated, compelling 2D stealth game.  With mechanics that include the ability to throw objects to stun enemies and the capability to take cover in high grass, the game could have presented a number of interesting strategic possibilities. Unfortunately, a number of design choices prohibit Alien Havoc from meeting its furtive potential. 

Foremost among these choices is the title’s level design. Instead of offering straight-forward stages, each map is a continuously scrolling playfield. Players never reach the borders of a level, instead each stage’s landmarks loops by, creating a bit of disorientation at first. Since each game of Alien Havoc forces players to start the game on the first map, players will become familiar with each of the game’s crop fields. Throwing cabbages to repel furious farmers fares no better- it’s often difficult to connect with the aggravated agrarians who charge players with rabid determination.  Miss once and it’s unlikely you’ll have the opportunity to pick up another offensive vegetable; even the slightest contact with a farmer results in the loss of one of your three lives. Since the game’s alien antihero moves at such a languid pace (and even slower when carrying a cow), the title seems woefully unbalanced.

Visually, the game complements its old-school mechanics with retro-styled aesthetics.  While the title’s graphics certainly evoke a sense of nostalgic charm, players accustomed to more contemporary game may tire of the game limited selection of trees, rock, and fence sprites. One expected element is the ability to give the protagonist different heads and body colors, although sadly, it has no affect on gameplay.