XENO BRIGADE

Publisher: Bitmap Soft / Greenman Soft

Memory: ZX Spectrum NEXT

Released: 2021,

Digital or limited physical release: £7.99-17.99 bitmapsoft.co.uk

Bitmap Soft are back to deliver us yet another indie release, this time bringing the first premium dose of real-time strategy to the Spectrum Next courtesy of Greenman Soft.

As the title suggests, Xeno Brigade draws heavy inspiration from the ‘Alien’ movie franchise, putting the player in control of a team of space marines who are tasked with taking on the threat of the Xeno hordes; a long-thought dead race of extraterrestrial monsters that humans defeated in a past galactic war. Rather than taking direct control of the retired colonial soldiers forced back into the action, the player instead directs the unit and their arsenal in a series of turn-based tactical moves.

Six different scenarios with objectives ranging from wiping out all the xenomorphs to disarming bombs and securing facilities present a testing challenge, and unlike the strategy games of the classic Spectrum era, players can take better control of their team with not just keyboard and joystick/game support, but proper mouse control. If computer-controlled aliens aren’t enough of a challenge for you, two players can go head to head, too, with one in charge of the marines and the other in charge of the xenomorphs trying to stop them. Potential then for some variety and added challenge for experienced strategists.

CRITICISM

• Though I’m admittedly not a particular fan of real-time strategies in general, Xeno Brigade is a surprising change of pace for me as a committed arcade gamer. With an aesthetic that somehow reminds me of both Alien Syndrome and The Chaos Engine, the theming partly makes it more accessible for usual action junkies. The interface can be frustrating at first, but the choice of control options greatly helps you adapt to the method you are used to, and for cack-handed typists like me, the mouse control is just so much more intuitive. The game looks good, and the tiny details are

easy enough to follow despite limited resolution (by modern standards).

The Gauntlet proportioned map and sprite designs aid the strategy as it is easy to calculate remaining movements, actions and enemy manoeuvres thanks to a clear grid-like structure. There is still a definite challenge, though, with selectable difficulty changing certain gameplay elements and some stages being so large it will take a while to figure out your complete battle plan.

Whilst the game is accessible even for strategy novices, it’s worth noting that the keyboard controls aren’t that intuitive. The joypad option doesn’t make the best use of the multiple buttons, still requiring keyboard interaction for most functions, so with on-screen buttons, most might find that the mouse is necessary for extended play sessions. Novices will welcome the tutorial stage, and it’s worth noting there is an instructional video from the developers available on YouTube to get you started, along with an excellent multi-page instruction manual in the physical release that you’ll be referring to a lot when starting out.

Presentation-wise, the game has decent in-game sound effects but no music, which dulled the atmosphere a little. I can understand that even the best tunes can grate after a while, but the option of some ambience would have been nice. The unusual lack of an opening title screen, music or demo takes away a little from the immersion.

Craig Turner

CRITICISM

• I’m delighted to see the Next receive game that’s got a bit of meat and bones to it. A deep and involving strategy game perfectly finds its home on this iteration of the Spectrum. The game delivers the experience well, and fans of Rebelstar & Laser Squad should really check this out. It’s far more involving, and the interface can be initially daunting, but with a little perseverance, it does become one of those games you can obsess over. Slightly lacking in atmosphere with the lack of sounds, but still a fine game.

Use of Computer 75% Graphics: 80% Playability: 80%

Getting started: 70% Addictive Qualities: 80% Overall: 80%