Heianko Alien Game by Meldac Reviewed by John Craig john@dmgice.com Save: none Released: 1989 Works with: All Gameboys, no enhancements **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Heianko Alien is a remake of an old 1979 Japanese game. Is this old, very old, title worth checking out? **************************************************************************** Gameplay Description: There are two games in Heianko Alien (pronounced "Hay-ank-o"). One being a strait port of the 2 color 1979 game, and the 1989 update. Both are basically the same game. Each level begins with you, on a playing field, with a number of aliens that have just landed in Japan. Fortunately for you, your armed! ......Well......sort of......you have a shovel...... The object is to dig large holes in the ground, and try to lure the aliens into them. Upon which, you promptly bury them. Once youve buried all the aliens in an area, you move on to the next level. Original for an action game, but very frustrating sometimes. The best thing to do is set up a parameter around a section in a level. A sort of "base", and bury the aliens as they fall into them. Then slowly expand the "hole barrier" until all the aliens have been buried. Its not as easy as it sounds though, if you dont get to a hole to bury an alien in time, the alien will escape, and the hole you dug will be gone. An original concept for an action game, but it just never holds my interest for long. Liked: original gameplay, option to play old game Hated: gets boring fast, doesnt hold interest. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The old version is true to the original, and isnt supposed to look good. The new version looks a little too......Japanese for my taste. Maybe its just me, but thats the reason I dont like Gomeon games that much. Its very average. The aliens look like...aliens. Your character looks like a panicking frantic Japanese guy with a shovel. Liked: Very average graphics, could have been worse. Hated: Very average graphics, could have been better. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Music is a pop/Japanese mix, gets annoying. There arent many sound FX, one for digging, one for being eaten by an alien. Liked: Turning the volume down. Hated: What? **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: A button starts digging a hole, the B button starts to fill a hole up. Did you write that down? The "arenas" are very small on a Gameboy screen. This makes the later levels, with more aliens, very difficult. Frustrating. Liked: simple controls Hated: Frustrating **************************************************************************** Improve: No, this looks like a good place to stop. RIYL: It's an original game, nothing really like it. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Unless your a fan of the old Heianko Alien, or love retro games, keep away. Its original, and fun for a while, but you lose interest quick. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: *** Graphics: ** Sound/Music: * Play Control/Game Design: ** Personal Opinion: * Total: 9 Final Score: 36% **************************************************************************** Other: The game ending (dont read if you want to be surprised) (yeah, right)- The alien ship floats up and explodes, turning the city light again. Then the Kibilishi (the knight you control) runs through the city passing townspeople. Then, a cart passes and an alien jumps out, makes a strange sound, then walks off the screen, turning the sky dark again while the words "The End" appear in the corner. Another review of Heianko Alien, with some interesting strategies: http://www.yk.rim.or.jp/~mcp/htme/rev/heiankyo.htm **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: On the left side of your GameboyColor there is a black wheel. Push this wheel all the way up for a overall better gaming experience. Results on other Gameboy models will vary.