Alien Breakout is a new retro-inspired action platformer from developer Vergiu Games and retro specialists EastAsiaSoft. It’s out now on PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, priced at $4.99. As with many other EastAsiaSoft budget retro titles, Alien Breakout aims to entertain with a quick blast of action, rather than a lengthy game that will take a long time to complete. That being said, Alien Breakout does boast 100 levels of shooting and jumping fun. We played it using a standard Switch controller and leaving all options settings as standard.
The first few levels are used as a training area where you’ll learn to move, jump, shoot, and a few other gameplay mechanics, such as gripping to sliding walls and using springs. Once you get past level ten, the action in Alien Breakout starts to get more intense. As well as having to make precision jumps to avoid the spikes and cannons, you’ll also need to be on aim to zap the soldiers and scientists still hanging around after your escape.
As you’d have guessed, the levels become increasingly more difficult, but you do have infinite lives and start each level from the start after a death. Your alien buddy can only sustain one hit per life, and this adds some replay value to those who want to perfect each level without dying. Alien Breakout keeps the gameplay tropes to a bare minimum and uses a simple action for everything.
It’s a great pick-up and play title that you can do in small chunks. We could imagine a player finishing ten levels and then putting it down before returning for another ten at a later date. This one will not be cracked in less than a few sittings and many hours. The difficulty in Alien Breakout is also a steady climb; you never really feel a large spike of a harder level suddenly appearing, and this makes it an easy one to recommend for casual players looking for a bit of 8-bit blasting.
However, with that simplicity in the gameplay mechanics comes a simpler game that can become a little repetitive in places, especially when a new trap, enemy, or puzzle is introduced. At these times, you may get a couple of levels that feel similar to play. This isn’t much of a complaint, though, as there is enough variety in the platforming and shooting to keep the experience playable right to the end.
The controls work well in Alien Breakout; any death your alien friend suffers is down to the player, even on the toughest stages, we always felt in control of proceedings. This instills the confidence to just keep trying until you finish the level. The overall arcade feel has been well implemented, and although there is nothing new here we’ve not seen in similar action platformers, this is just fun to play.
The graphics and sounds are great in Alien Breakout. The colorful, popping pixel art gives a feel of a game that wouldn’t have looked out of place if it had been released in the 90s. There is a charm about the soldiers, scientists, and other characters you encounter; some look like they could have been in Zombies Ate My Neighbours or even a Simpsons platformer. The soundtrack pulses along at a nice tempo; we could’ve sworn one of the rifts was also in Alien 3 on the Mega Drive.
Overall, Alien Breakout is a well-made game that feels a bit more than its low $5 price tag. The number of levels will keep you going for some time, and there is some replay value for those who get into the gameplay hook. Although there is nothing new being tried here, the developers have been successful in creating a solid arcade experience that can be picked up and put down. Alien Breakout is pleasing on the eyes, ears, and this instance, wallet. Thoroughly recommended for arcade and platform fans looking to fill some game time. Aracde fans may also be interested in our Tiny Pixels Vol. 2: Stormy Knights review.
