Aliens: Infestation

Aliens Infestation, while it may be a late entry into the DS library is one of the best games to ever grace the system. While it may seem like a title to get fans ready for next year's Colonial Marines, this game is no slouch. Infestation is some of the most fun you can have on a Nintendo DS. If you are looking for some great 2D action Aliens Infestation is definitely right up your alley.

Wayforward did a remarkable job with a metroidvania game that really succeeds in taking the atmosphere of the Aliens series to the small screen of the Nintendo DS. Even lacking the level design quality of the masterpieces of the genre, Aliens: Infestation is a recommended purchase to the fans of the genre.

Packed with references to the Aliens movies, including Power Loader battles and an intense APC escape scene, this is a game made by fans with the fans in mind. After recent disappointments from the Aliens franchise, Infestation brings it all home and makes for a thoroughly captivating adventure.

It's a shame that Aliens: Infestation peters out by the end. In the push toward the conclusion, the upgraded weapons you've collected lessen the threat, and the thin plot culminates in a boring fight against a big alien queen.

Infestation's quality is surprising in a sea of mediocre licensed games. It's not afraid to show off where it got its inspiration, but that's okay. Metroid's format works well in the world of Aliens. There are a few minor frustrations, and the mortality of the characters was surprising, even frustrating at first, but ultimately it adds a worthwhile sense of fear to the entire game. If you're a fan of Metroid, Aliens, or just solid handheld experiences, don't let Infestation become forgotten as the 3DS wave washes over us.

In the end, SEGA have created a very cool arcade game based on the Alien universe and this side-scrolling title with elements of Metroid works very well on the DS.

It's a tad repetitive, but easily one of the best Alien releases on a Nintendo system.

It's the (2)DS' action game of the year. [Dec 2011, p.89]

Fans of the genre would be smart to pick it up, and fans of Alien can consider it both a mega-dose of fanservice, and a must-play to be tracked down.

For a DS game, Infestation looks great. The 2D animations are sharp, and there is a nice level of detail to each area.

Aliens: Infestation is an unforgiving and exciting retro romp.

Wayforward's greatest achievement is creating a fun game that respects the original material it's based on.

While not an excellent game, Aliens Infestation provides a unique atmosphere, a continuous tension that embraces the player, making him forget about a couple of flaws here and there.

Aliens: Infestation is a pretty cool 2D open world action game. The graphics and sound effects are up-to-date and the atmosphere is absolutly Aliens-like. There are some issues with the controls and combat system, but all in all, it's one of the best action games on the Nintendo DS this year.

WayForward take advantage of capitalising on all of DS' limitations and have created a title that has genuine affection and impact.

In many ways, it feels like the Aliens game we should have been given back in the 16-bit era when the movie series was still relatively new. Whether it has been worth the wait is debatable, but this is certainly a worthy addition to the DS library.

For all the game's struggles, you'll find yourself hooked as you explore chilling worlds and kick major ass.

Infestation feels like what would have happened had someone made a good Aliens game in the mid-1990s. It's a cleverly structured take on the Metroidvania style of game that forces careful, methodical play. Despite those aforementioned issues, WayForward completely nailed the dread of Aliens.

We're surprised by how well the Alien 'feel' translates on DS, but not by how refined the gameplay is, as Infestation proves that WayForward are unparalleled when it comes to 2D experiences.

Infestation is a pretty decent game by itself, and as a treatment of the film franchise it's even better. [Oct 2011, p.85]

Aliens: Infestation is the side-scrolling Metroid you've been waiting for, and will especially excite fans of the original movie.

If you are a fan of the Alien movies, relish Metroidvania exploratory gameplay and appreciate side-scrolling retro pixel art design, Aliens: Infestation delivers on all three counts.

Fans of Scott and Cameron's fiction will be delighted to see this iconic universe recreated in miniature, while anyone hankering after a 2D Metroid (let's face it, we're not likely to get one from Nintendo any time soon) will be equally satisfied.

Like a chestburster, Infestation arrives out of nowhere to great surprise. Unlike a chestburster, it's dinky alien thrills are very much welcomed. [Oct 2011, p.66]

Like a good sci-fi flick, Infestation is at its best on the very first viewing. Just don't be surprised if that inevitably ends up being the only time.

Still, even with these marks against it, Aliens: Infestation is worth playing and is an example of a game that really, truly cares about your lives-even if it cares about your deaths just a teensy bit more.

It controls well enough, it has enough story and conversation to move things along, it hits the nostalgia button beautifully… what more could I ask for in a classically-inspired game?

Alien Infestation is one of the best Alien releases on a Nintendo system.

Aliens: Infestation is another nice effort from WayForward, a team we hope will get major support from the greatest software houses and publishers. It's a genuinely funny game, with a great atmosphere, perfectly suited for those who love Aliens but also for the ones which have never seen a movie of the series.

Aliens: Infestation's beginning is very strong and atmospheric, but unfortunately the same can't be said about the rest of the game. When xenomorphs neither scare nor challenge you, something has gone wrong. Permanent death in an adventure like this is a cool idea, though. [Nov 2011]

There is certainly some fun to be had exploring the USS Sulaco and fighting the xenomorphs, but its repetitive nature and lack of variety distracts from what could have been a great game.

When you get down to it, Infestation's excellent presentation and grim atmosphere outweigh most of its minor faults. The old-school gameplay offers a fun challenge and blends well with the source material to deliver an authentic trip through sci-fi memory lane. For a hardened Alien fan like me, that's reason enough to grab a DS and dim the lights.

What it all boils down to is this: if you're hurting for a Metroid-style adventure on a handheld, this might be your cup of tea. If not, then you'll probably be just fine skipping over this good-looking, though clunky 2D adventure.

A great Metroid game and a great Aliens tie-in, and only a few rough edges stop this from being a minor classic all of its own.

An interesting 2D action title that borrows elements from Contra and Metroid, while adding a couple of nicely implemented twists of its own, but it could have been something remarkable if it weren't for its lacking design and substance.

Aliens: Infestation is a bit of a mixed bag: blasting through aliens in a desperate fight for survival that is both challenging and fun. Unfortunately these parts of the game are separated by a lot of backtracking that is both tiresome and frustrating.

Beneath lies a pretty average shooter - one that with a little more thought and ambition could have easily been something more memorable. [Nov 2011, p.111]

Aliens: Infestation is a nice little game that can really appeal to the lovers of the alien saga, thanks to its nice production, neat atmosphere and Metroid-like gameplay. It still rather short and repetitive, with a little lack of ambition.

Aliens: Infestation is slickly produced and generally fairly engaging, but it's not quite an essential experience.

A fairly enjoyable title that's let down by a few glitches and questionable design decisions. The best things it has going for it is the budget price (around $60) and that the majority of the game is the classic Metroid-style exploration.

Quotation forthcoming.