Nintendo
Xenophobe
| Graphics: Sound: Gameplay: Overall: |
3.95 3.76 3.86 3.24 |
| Votes: | 21 |
| Reviews: | 2 |
Rate this game
Review this game
| Reviewer: Seth Koopa | Date: Jun 16, 2005 |
| This game has been in my head for over ten years. Ever since I discovered it at the local market and returned it, because I was choosing a present for myself and didn't want this to be it, it has stuck to me. It is, undoubtably, a bad game, but is has something about it, funnily, that makes it unforgettable and, yes, even charming. Bad a game as it is, and I am going to bear that in mind as I set out to review it, 'Xenophobe' sticks to you.
Graphics: 6 The graphics would feel right at home in the Game Boy Color of today. Still, they convey a rawness that I find to suit the game well. A curious thing is that only the top half of the screen is used for the game itself; in the lower half, the game's title 'Xenophobe' floats. This game gives you the choice of a one- or two-player mode, but still the screen is split in two in one-player mode. In a funny way, I kind of like it - it feels more claustrophobic, making you feel more like you're in a space station. Were the whole screen used, that effect would be ruined. Sound: 7 The little music there is only sounds between levels. The theme tune is particularly catchy and sticks to you (it's stuck to me these ten years). But the silence that runs through most of the game suits it well, and makes it feel just like you're in a space station. It's remarkable. Gameplay: 6 This game is really unique in the sense that, bad as it is, you don't care. It's so different from most other NES games. It's a sci-fi sidescroller where you go through space stations, clearing them of aliens known as Xenos before the station is set to self destruct. The actions are very limited, so it's easy to stop trying to avoid getting hit (your energy, uniquely, is displayed in numbers instead of an energy bar). You have a choice of three characters to play. My favourite is the duckbill Dr Kwack, but there isn't a great difference between the characters in terms of strengths and weaknesses (if, indeed, any at all). Still, for me, this allows great freedom to choose your favourite character, without worrying about how strong he is or how high he can jump etc. Now, it's just amazing, but this game has to be my favourite of all the bad NES games that I've played. It's poor in a way that you either love the game or hate it. It's astounding! It just has something about it that borders on being charming. True, once you lose your only life, you aren't really tempted to play again, but this just is a game that you come to when you feel bored. Overall: 6 So weird a game you'll either love it or hate it. 'Xenophobe' stands tall as a bad game, and isn't trying to be a good one. It deserves all the bad reviews it gets, but as a bad game, it stands out. Good when you feel bored. I came across this game at the age of eight (I'm now nearly nineteen), having had the cast for my leg removed, and was allowed to choose myself a present. As I've said, I returned this game, maybe because of how little I found to it. I finally settled on 'Teenage mutant ninja turtles', and was, understandably, satisfied with that. |
|
| Reviewer: Therrin | Date: Aug 1, 2001 |
| This game is crude, ugly, and very repititious. However, you get to kill things. A lot of things. A lot of ugly things. A lot of ugly, slimy, crawly, spitty things that try to munch on you. However, it's very anti-climactic, and slow as death between levels. Still, it can be pleasant to just frag things, so if you are bored, and want to see if you can stay concious through what seems to be a digital dose of heroin, then get it. It's one you might come back to when you just want to waste time. Oh yeah, and there's one good point about the game I forgot to mention; you get to pick who you'll play as; a bald dude with a patch over each eye, a conehead-looking dude who's wearing cyclops glasses, or a dude with a duckbill (named Dr. Kwack). They are just as tough(or just as weak)as each other, but it's your personal preference. |
|