Alien 3

I have found the exception to the rule: the one good game LJN release is Alien 3. Alien 3 doesn't follow the film at all; this one's plot has Ripley running around in mazes throughout the planet rescuing her prison mates before aliens rip out of their stomachs. Technically speaking, there is no way to remove the alien embryos so, according to the movies, the mates should die anyway. But hey! it's a video game, and as we all know, video games are excepted from the rules of logic. Anyway, Alien 3 succeeds as a very enjoyable game, although I prefer the 1990 arcade game Aliens, which I just downloaded from www.mame.dk (give yourself a cookie if you remember playing that!) Alien 3 spots decent graphics, although I hoped for more detail giving the late release year. The music is genuinely creepy; this game would just freak people out if it had Metroid's theme in it. Play Control works well, though I would like to mention that Ripley did not have weapons at her disposal in the movie, and in the game jumping is imprecise. Even the seasoned gamer will find Alien 3 a real challenge; mazes increase in size and complexity, and the in-depth coverage in Nintendo Power #46 doesn't cover the entire game. Argh, yet when your time runs out, you'll get to see the locations of your now-dead friends.

The Verdict: In the space of your room, your parents will hear you scream as the aliens rip your video flesh apart.

I recommend: If you like Ms. Weaver, her digital representation isn't good, but if you want a fast, tense game, Alien 3 will rock your world.

Graphics B

Sound/Music B+

Play Control B-

Challenge A

Fun Factor A

Replay Value A

Overall B+ 1/2 links

Shadow Man Seal of Quality