Alien Breed 2: Assault

 PC
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 60
  3. Negative: 14 out of 60

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  1. JaydenPickens
    May 22, 2019
    5
    Same problems as the first part. Read my review of Impact to find out more. Pickens out, trying to find some good fries to eat.
  2. JimCorbett
    Apr 29, 2012
    4
    Neither a fun nor good game. The aiming and camera are both absolutely horrible. The camera (which seems as though it can't decide whether it wants to be a top-down or regular third-person shooter) will sometimes not allow you to see certain enemies if you are close to a wall. The levels all look exactly the same and get repetitive extremely fast. The unlock system is bad as I could notNeither a fun nor good game. The aiming and camera are both absolutely horrible. The camera (which seems as though it can't decide whether it wants to be a top-down or regular third-person shooter) will sometimes not allow you to see certain enemies if you are close to a wall. The levels all look exactly the same and get repetitive extremely fast. The unlock system is bad as I could not notice any difference from any of the upgrades i purchased other than a change in sound when i got a damage increaser. All of the objectives are basically the same thing, you go up to something an hold space to interact with it. You will be holding space down for probably 50% of your play time (which i hope is very short). Overall it's not a good game and is absolutely not worth your time, let alone your money.… Expand
  3. Andrew_Paterson
    Sep 15, 2013
    4
    I think I may have been too lenient on Alien Breed: Impact, I gave it a 6/10. Alien Breed: Assault takes the flaws from impact and magnifies them.

    I seriously wonder if someone at Team17 was tasked with going through everything that made Impact frustrating, got confused and instead of making things less frustrating made them more frustrating instead. The map is still unusable but    I think I may have been too lenient on Alien Breed: Impact, I gave it a 6/10. Alien Breed: Assault takes the flaws from impact and magnifies them.

    I seriously wonder if someone at Team17 was tasked with going through everything that made Impact frustrating, got confused and instead of making things less frustrating made them more frustrating instead.

    The map is still unusable but now has a wobbly effect added. The camera arguably the first games biggest flaw has been worsened. There are now sections of the game where it's fixed. Pointing the wrong way around and zoomed in. What were the designers thinking? At least the free rotational camera could be fought to some extent but no more.

    Then there are the in-game cut scenes. Impact didn't have many and for that you should be thankful. Assault has one every few minutes. They're unskippable and leave the camera pointed in a random (generally bad) direction. The aliens can still move whilst the cut-scene is playing so you get mobbed as soon as you regain control. I've also had one that's left me standing in fire while it played.

    The 'pew-pew' laser cannon my favourite gun has been removed. Impact gave out far to much ammo Assault gives out too little. This should have made them game more tactical but as the only viable approach to killing aliens is to shoot them I don't know. Grenades are practically useless as charging to throw one takes several times longer than it takes for an alien to run across the screen which means you either blow yourself up or the alien hurts you and interrupts the throw.

    There are more timed environment hazards which makes the running back and forth through the ship (yeah you still do that even more annoying. This around time you'll navigate narrow corridors that obscure whats happening in them and occasionally run under the floor.

    Alien Breed 2 takes the series from 'mediocre' to 'broken'.    … Expand
  4. Matseb2611
    Apr 2, 2013
    7
    After enjoying the first game, I went straight to the second. Although the games are quite simplistic and have a basic formula, they are fun. You walk through eerie dark corridors most of the time and shoot alien bugs. I was, however, sort of disappointed by the fact that this second instalment didn’t really introduce anything new to the series and is more like Alien Breed 1.5 than AlienAfter enjoying the first game, I went straight to the second. Although the games are quite simplistic and have a basic formula, they are fun. You walk through eerie dark corridors most of the time and shoot alien bugs. I was, however, sort of disappointed by the fact that this second instalment didn’t really introduce anything new to the series and is more like Alien Breed 1.5 than Alien Breed 2.

    The environments are exactly the same as in the first game. I was hoping there’d be something different in that regard. Maybe an outside level for once? Or at least some noticeably different textures to the ones we’ve seen the entire time. And just as in the first game, the entire story revolves around simply going from one sector of the ship to another and activating various systems. I know it’s not the focus of the game, but still, a little more variation would’ve been nice. Plus also they overdid it on those alien eggs. I got sick of shooting them partway into the game. And way too many human corpses to loot too, which all require you to hold space and waste time rather than playing the game.

    We still have 5 weapons, just as in the first game, except two of those are different. The first three (Assault rifle, Shot cannon, and Flamethrower) are still there, but the Laser Rifle and Ion Spike have been replaced with a Hyper Blaster (a heavy minigun-like weapon) and a Rocket Launcher. Not sure what to make of this change as I think the older weapons were better. Hyper Blaster is all right as it’s good for huge swarms of enemies, but Rocket Launcher is practically useless most of the time as most enemies are fast and always in your face, so using an explosive weapon is a bad idea (not to mention its ammo is extremely scarce). Once again, as in the first game, we can choose to upgrade the weapons, but the upgrades are still the same ones (rate of fire, reload speed, and damage boost) and the effects of most of them are hardly noticeable.

    Perhaps the most annoying thing about this sequel though is the fact that in some areas the game takes a fixed camera angle and won’t let you rotate it, making it very hard to aim at the enemies, or to even see them on some occasions. I would understand that if the whole game was using fixed camera, but for a game that allows you to rotate your camera most of the time and then to take that choice away from you in some parts is just a pure design mistake.

    I know I went heavy on criticisms here, but this sequel still delivers a good amount of tension as the first game does, and at times you get really swarmed with enemies. It also does have some minor improvements over the first. They actually have some small cutscenes now, allowing us to see our character up close. These mostly occur during boss fights, which I should say have been done quite well this time round. I personally quite enjoyed the Arachnomorph fight on the monorail.

    Overall this game is pretty much the same as the first, except with a few little annoyances like those sudden changes in camera angles, and also it’s slightly shorter, so my overall score will have to be a bit lower than the first.    … Expand
  5. PeanutsKill
    Dec 3, 2012
    5
    While not an overly satisfying title, Alien Breed does provide a nice change of pace from other shooter games. While the core gameplay is relatively solid the game becomes quite repetitive with only 5 weapons (2 which you find halfway through the game), and enemies which although different are still dispatched using the exact same methods as any other. After playing the game for a whileWhile not an overly satisfying title, Alien Breed does provide a nice change of pace from other shooter games. While the core gameplay is relatively solid the game becomes quite repetitive with only 5 weapons (2 which you find halfway through the game), and enemies which although different are still dispatched using the exact same methods as any other. After playing the game for a while the fights start to become predictable. The story never really does anything to drag the player into it although the comics in between chapters were a nice touch. The upgrade system was a nice addition which allowed some variety to how you could play the game. Overall not a bad game for the price, plenty of stuff to kill but try to pace yourself so it doesn't get repetitive.… Expand
  6. maddocks2379
    Jul 23, 2011
    4
    Ive only played this for a short while, like 30 minutes but so far its dull, some aliens that die with little effort and unimpressive sound, the guns are flat sounding it really needs some environmental audio effects to give a better ambiance, ricochet sounds and echo.
    i hit a couple of bugs not sure what caused them exactly, i lost mouse aim pressing esc cured that, but then i lost    Ive only played this for a short while, like 30 minutes but so far its dull, some aliens that die with little effort and unimpressive sound, the guns are flat sounding it really needs some environmental audio effects to give a better ambiance, ricochet sounds and echo.
    i hit a couple of bugs not sure what caused them exactly, i lost mouse aim pressing esc cured that, but then i lost ability to control menus while at a console, so i couldn't save and buy items, shift + tab to open steam screen cured that.    … Expand
  7. JonesR
    Dec 1, 2011
    7
    Steam Summer Sale Free Prize! Coop! Achievements! First time I played it I didn't give it an honest chance. After giving it another go, I've changed my tune. It's not fantastic, but it is above average for a title in this genre, especially using a game controller. I'd go so far as to say it's not worth a look using a keyboard and mouse.
  8. frugalDonnie
    Jul 13, 2011
    4
    Don't be fooled by the title, this game is nowhere near as fun as Alien Swarm. Alien Breed looks very much like Alien Swarm but the minute you play the game, damn does it suck!! The biggest problem I have with the game are it's play mechanics, they are terrible and the shaking of the screen, itâ
  9. Atech66
    Aug 2, 2011
    10
    I have become convinced gamers are turning into a bunch of cry babies.
    This game for this format kicks ass, its fast paced , fun and addictive. the graphics are sharp ( maybe the people with Dell / Celerons should not give reviews) on my system.
    I had this game sitting in my library for 3 weeks and decided to check it out.. 3 hours flew by. its a top down shooter action packed and    I have become convinced gamers are turning into a bunch of cry babies.
    This game for this format kicks ass, its fast paced , fun and addictive. the graphics are sharp ( maybe the people with Dell / Celerons should not give reviews) on my system.
    I had this game sitting in my library for 3 weeks and decided to check it out.. 3 hours flew by. its a top down shooter action packed and puzzles tossed in for good measure. have not seen a single glitch.
    This game is worth the meager price they ask by far.    … Expand
  10. SandeProElite
    Jul 10, 2011
    8
    Alien Breed 2: Assault is a good sequel to the first Alien Breed game. It takes the story line deeper and has better graphics and game play. Overall it is a very enjoyable game to play.
  11. daimmonr757
    Dec 23, 2011
    0
    Clon of "Alien Swarm".
    It was St*pid, very boring.
    Hate this.
  12. JawnMan
    Jan 25, 2012
    7
    Total single player completion time: around 5 hours. This top-down shooter that was surprisingly enjoyable although quite frustrating in certain areas. This is due to some awkward camera controls (using mouse and keyboard) and random difficulty spikes. The storyline was pointless but the gameplay, while repetitive, didn't get old. The shooting mechanics were fun and satisfying as aliensTotal single player completion time: around 5 hours. This top-down shooter that was surprisingly enjoyable although quite frustrating in certain areas. This is due to some awkward camera controls (using mouse and keyboard) and random difficulty spikes. The storyline was pointless but the gameplay, while repetitive, didn't get old. The shooting mechanics were fun and satisfying as aliens shrieked when they died. TAKE THAT! But what the hell is up with the useless melee attack? item management was necessary and there were weapon upgrades (although I only managed to unlock about 5 of them because I never had enough money).… Expand
  13. Andreakossa
    Apr 21, 2012
    7
    Alone or coop, in a infested spaceship, fight your way to the end of the game killing everything that will stop you, a big bestiary awaits you there.
  14. ave
    Jun 22, 2015
    6
    After playing Alien Breed 2: Assault, I must recognize that there are many improvements : the story has more depth, the level layout and the pacing are better.

    But the camera still rotates by 45° increments, and since the aiming is relative to your orientation, each time you rotate the camera, your aiming rotates ; and not in a discrete way. This completely ruins the potential flow of    After playing Alien Breed 2: Assault, I must recognize that there are many improvements : the story has more depth, the level layout and the pacing are better.

    But the camera still rotates by 45° increments, and since the aiming is relative to your orientation, each time you rotate the camera, your aiming rotates ; and not in a discrete way. This completely ruins the potential flow of the game.    … Expand
  15. keefbaker
    Oct 13, 2013
    6
    Not bad... Has the spirit of the originals with a nice new visual upgrade. Is it great? No. But it is completely playable. If you ignore the cheesy characterization (which I think you're supposed to) you get a very pretty very old school shooter with a few new school bells and whistles.
  16. lach1223
    Nov 1, 2013
    5
    This is a top down shooter that makes a solid first impression, but after a few minutes of playing you will discover that the execution of many essential elements is not very good. The gameplay gets repetitive rather quickly, as you frequently just walk from A to B, holding space bar down to interact with switches. The gun sounds and sound effects are also rather bland. The environmentsThis is a top down shooter that makes a solid first impression, but after a few minutes of playing you will discover that the execution of many essential elements is not very good. The gameplay gets repetitive rather quickly, as you frequently just walk from A to B, holding space bar down to interact with switches. The gun sounds and sound effects are also rather bland. The environments are also very dark, with little variety, although the actual graphics aren't too bad. You will also battle with the camera, as it sometimes switches to bizarre angles, obstructing your view to certain areas, such as the other side of a wall. There is also a load of on-screen text, so you know right off the bat which objects are interactive, and although some people may like this, I think it does take away discovery aspects of the game. Get this if you must, but there are far better top down shooters out there.… Expand
  17. Qarren
    Jan 28, 2021
    5
    You know, if I had a choice of which fictional aliens to be invaded by, it would be these kindly gentlemen. These fellows, who never fail to stop and wait their turn when a cutscene begins; simply standing there awkwardly asking if they can go yet, like me at a party. But funny alien breedhaviour aside, this is game is a sequel, apparently. The most significant difference you will findYou know, if I had a choice of which fictional aliens to be invaded by, it would be these kindly gentlemen. These fellows, who never fail to stop and wait their turn when a cutscene begins; simply standing there awkwardly asking if they can go yet, like me at a party. But funny alien breedhaviour aside, this is game is a sequel, apparently. The most significant difference you will find between Alien Breed: Impact and Alien Breed 2: Assault is that the text and HUD changed from blue to green. There, your most impactful improvement is quite literally the same system as Pokemon Blue and Green (or Red for non Japanese types, though apparently the next game brings in the red aesthetic so full circle, here we come).
    I'm really not kidding. This has the same feel to it as buying individual episodes of a Tell Tale series. It's the exact same game, it's just the next part. So read my review of Alien Breed: Impact for the fundamentals. As, unless stated otherwise, everything in that review applies here.
    May as well start with story as that's mostly what this game is supposed to bring to the Alien Breed table if the big '2' in the title didn't tip you off to that. It continues exactly where the last one left off and... that's it. There's some development that incidentally calls the title into question, and there's two random philosophical lines/quotes about life and death for some reason. They don't explore that as a theme, I think they just liked hearing the words. Otherwise, it's more dissonant than anything. Comrade Conrad acts like a real goof in any cutscene despite supposedly being a gruff action hero. And Mia... Good lord, Mia. She acts all sweet in the comic book cutscenes, but when you meet her in game she talks to you like you JUST divorced her. It's like the text dialogue and the voiced dialogue were written by two different people. And there is more text dialogue here than an actual text adventure. I couldn't tell you what 90% of it said. I think it usually boiled down to "turn the power on... you idiot."
    Gameplay wise it's pretty much the same, except it's also pretty much not the same. Same mechanics, sure, but designed differently. One aspect that became a minor irritation in the first game was that there was a lack of vertical aiming, you had to rely on Conrad's autotargeting for anything not at eye level. That usually meant he would lob a few shots over the heads of small targets like the zergling face huggers, and eventually they would die when one bullet was forced down by the hand of God to lightly smite its scalp. This would occasionally happen with large enemies too. To this day I have no idea what Conrad was aiming at. Maybe there was a spider on the ceiling and he doesn't like spiders. Worse than horrid murder aliens, spiders are. This is so much worse here on a general level and I have no idea why. But even worse is that they suddenly figured out how to make levels have more Y-axis variability. Seemingly, ramps are a new invention so everyone wants 4 in their backyards. If you are now asking how you shoot enemies that are lower or higher than the ground you're standing on, without having any vertical aiming, then you'd be a wise, worldly fellow. Truth is, you don't. You either move well away, or wait for Conrad to decide the enemy is close enough to risk the extra stress on his back to slightly bend over. I guess it's progressive to have an action hero that needs a back brace.
    There are a few other little ticks from the first game that they doubled down on here. The first game already had so many random explosions and screen shake that even Michael Bay would think it was overkill. Doubled down, this now makes the game appear more like super Michael Bay's new found footage film. Seeing anything at all is just 76.658% harder now. Spray and Pray is tactical grade A here.
    Finally, I have to mention the camera. Everyone does and uniqueness is never a trait that I screamed other than being uniquely gifted in self-loathing. I guess they took everyone's feedback on the last game's camera and decided to have several sections with a fixed point camera instead of its usual floaty self. That was not a good idea. Stick to what you know, I say, or become Alien Breed 2: Assault. Good luck knowing what the hell is going on in any of these sections, as the camera super glues itself to the corner like timeout from my abusive nanny, and decides vision and spatial awareness is for nerds. We're too cool to have defined viewpoints.
    There are some good points, of course. They couldn't possibly have learned nothing; they're not me from the ages of 12-21. They made waypoints guide you to the objective rather than sticking on one end of the map and saying 'come play hide and seek in this endless series of hallways.' There's also less backtracking, somewhat (remember that caveat?). Nothing else, that's all.
    It's the same game, but shakier (literally). Play the first game twice for a better experience.    … Expand
  18. Demon2017
    Jun 19, 2022
    1
    Та же самая дрянь, что и первая часть. Даже хуже: в одном месте я застрял в коридоре, где не открывались двери и дальше нельзя было пройти.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 13, 2011
    40
    Another Alien Breed remake results in another failure. What was great back in the Amiga-times is missing and a remake is just a boring and repetitious shooter with a small variety of enemies in uniform environments. [Issue#197]
  2. GameZone
    Dec 21, 2010
    60
    Alien Breed 2: Assault stays very close to the roots of the genre, which gives it a touch of old-school charm, but it feels archaic next to newer offerings like Alien Swarm and Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gamer
    Dec 13, 2010
    60
    Adrenaline-fueled crescendos and bosses toss in some welcome fun to the experience, but not nearly enough. [Jan 2011, p.77]
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