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Aliens - don't you just hate 'em? They come down here, sliming up our planet, eating our buses, stealing our jobs... We all know what they're like, we've seen the movies! One minute 'take me to your leader' and the next they're trying to fit Granny in the microwave. There's only one solution, one thing they understand, and that's a bullet in the bonce - if they've got a bonce that is! A quick blast and they'll never put a foot (or pseudopod) wrong again. Hang 'em high, that's what I say - but then, I am a xenophobe...

In Xenophobe the game, alien life-forms have taken control of a space station (They aren't endangering anyone, but they clash with the curtains!), and that's a good enough reason for mankind to declare war on the offending species.

You control one of nine characters fascist enough to hold a grudge against an entire phylum [No, I don't know why a phylum is either - Ed] of creatures. You get to choose which character to play at the start of the 'Bug Hunt'. Apparently each has a different personality - but who needs personality to pull a trigger? Once you've picked your champion and chosen one or two-player mode, it's time to clean up that space station.

All prepared for the big show, you are told that Xenos' have taken control of one of mankind's bases, and that mankind wants it back. There's also some very vital equipment that has to be retrieved at all costs. Your mission is simply to go in there and trash the slimeballs, grab the kit and get out.

The ship approaches the planet/station/satellite and you're beamed down right into the heart of this alien nation. All you've got to protect yourself is a pretty poxy blaster and your mobility. Running speed can't be improved, but the firepower at your fingertips most certainly can. Littered about each complex are numerous weapons of varying type, each having a different use and effect. You can only carry one weapon at a time however, so choose pistols with care. One of the game options is for limited ammo, so loads of loaded guns are a must.

The aliens come in a whole variety of species, shapes and sizes, each having a trait that only experience teaches. Alligator creatures roll themselves into a ball in an attempt to bowl you over. Hanging vines grab you lovingly by the head and give you the kiss of death, slowly sucking vital energy points out of your system. There are even space leeches which cling to you if not shot immediately, draining away valuable life force until you exit the room.

Xenophobe is regulated by both time and energy points. The mission stipulates you have to kill a set number of Xenos in a given time period. Piece of cake really - all you've got to do is wander around blasting into oblivion every little life forms that pops its head up. That's how things start out at any rate, but they soon become harder than even the most rabid alien hunter could dream.

The problem with zapping the Xeno scum back into their pools of primordial phosphorescent slime is that you've got to get close to do it. In most cases you've actually got to stand next to the creature in question to blow its brains out. Not an easy task, even if these aliens are the densest race of beings in the history of history itself. You see, they tend to have large families.

Some rooms contain screens which display how much time there is left or how many aliens there are left to fry. Other features you can employ on your hunt for evil green nasties are lifts and teleports. Simply by turning to face the wall you can find your way all over the place.

The collectable objects are just left lying on the floor, and when you shoot past them a neat reminders pop up in the middle of the screen - 'pick up bomb' etc. The weapons, too, are just scattered around, giving you the opportunity to upgrade form a common Phaser to laser pistols, electro guns and pulse rifles. All hurt various monsters better and exhibit different characteristics like range and power (there being a correlation between strength of shot and the distance you can stand from the target).

Flickery graphics always damage a game and Xenophobe is no exception. It is a lot more fun with two players but this seems someone has to suffer the keyboard controls. Fun for a few hours but your interest soon fades.

Reach Base Four.

Playable, even in emerald hues.

Graphics 82%
P. Accurate arcade characters.
N. Flickers, with an occasional momentary freeze.

Sonics 50%
P. Great title tune and spot effects.
P. Free audio cassette of soundtrack.
N. Everything goes quiet in two-player mode.

Grab Factor 74%
P. Simple principle - kill or be killed!
N. Dodgy controls make it hard to start.

Staying Power 69%
P. Lots of levels, with level-jumping facility.
N. Gameplay's too limited to last for long.

Overall 71%
P. Good, accurate conversion.
P. Commendable first arcade from the simulator kings.