It’s no secret that I love a good retro collection, especially when it gives me the chance to revisit games that I either grew up with or somehow completely missed the first time around. Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection ticks both of those boxes, bringing together over 35 years of Team17’s sci-fi shooter series in one package.
Rather than just throwing a couple of games together and calling it a day, this collection brings together six of the classic Commodore and Amiga-era titles. You get Alien Breed, Alien Breed: Special Edition ’92, Alien Breed II: The Horror Continues, Alien Breed: Tower Assault, Alien Breed 3D and Alien Breed 3D II: The Killing Grounds.
‘Miga Collection
It’s fair to say that there are more than a few deep cuts in the series that, unless you are a die-hard fan, will probably be new to you.
For anyone who is, well, old enough to remember the Amiga or Commodore, this is a proper trip down memory lane. The early games are that familiar top-down mix of shooting aliens, exploring cramped corridors, finding keys, managing resources and generally trying not to get yourself killed.
There is something wonderfully simple about the formula, and the atmosphere still works surprisingly well. The collection also does a good job of making these games more accessible on modern hardware.
Twin-stick controls have been added to the 2D games, making aiming and movement far less awkward than they originally were. Meanwhile, a save system means you don’t have to worry about losing progress.
AGA Can’t
There are also plenty of visual options, as you might expect from a collection like this, including 4:3 and 16:9 display modes, CRT filters and screen bezels. This allows you to either clean things up for a modern feel or go all-in on that old-school vibe.
Where things get interesting is with the 3D games. Alien Breed 3D was an impressive technical achievement for the Amiga, but time is a cruel mistress, and playing it today is a very different experience.
Read More: Five Forgotten Firsts in Video Games History
The visuals, movement and combat have all aged significantly. While it’s really cool to see what Team17 was doing with the hardware of that time, these are the games that feel more like historical artefacts than fun run-and-gun shooters.
Thankfully, there’s more here than simply playing the original games. The collection includes an archive filled with concept art, extras and new developer interviews, while new Rush and Horde modes give you something a bit more modern to play once you’ve had your fill of the campaigns.
Mutton Masher
It’s worth noting, however, that no amount of polish can completely hide the age of some of these games.
The original Alien Breed can be brutally unforgiving, while some of the design choices and controls remind you just how much gaming has evolved over the last 35 years.
That said, Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection is exactly the sort of release retro fans will appreciate. It preserves an important part of Amiga and UK gaming history while adding enough modern touches to make going back painless.
If you’re a fan of old-school shooters or want to see the roots of the Alien Breed series, there’s plenty to enjoy here. Just don’t expect every game to have aged quite as well as your memories might suggest.
- Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection review – AGA Can
- Hot Wheels Infinite Rush review – 2 Fast 2 Frivolous
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword review – Practiced Return
