Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS
- Developers: DMA Design
- Publishers: Psyclapse, Psygnosis
Menace (1988): A Retrospective
Released in 1988 by Atari Games, Menace is a vertical-scrolling shooter arcade game that pits the player against the forces of the planet Draconia, a world created by six exiled rulers who have ravaged and plundered space. The player controls a lone fighter craft on a mission to destroy Draconia and avenge those who have perished.
Menace is known for its fast-paced action, vibrant and colorful graphics, and challenging gameplay. The game features six unique worlds, each with its own distinct enemies and obstacles. The player must use their lightning-fast reflexes and furious fire button action to survive the onslaught of enemy attacks.
Gameplay
Menace is a vertical-scrolling shooter in which the player controls a lone fighter craft. The player’s ship can move up, down, left, and right, and can fire in eight directions. The player must use their ship to destroy enemy aliens and obstacles, while avoiding being hit themselves.
The game is divided into six worlds, each with its own unique theme and enemies. The first world is a lush jungle planet, while the second world is a fiery volcanic planet. The third world is a frozen ice planet, while the fourth world is a watery ocean planet. The fifth world is a mechanical planet, and the sixth and final world is the planet Draconia itself.
Each world is divided into several levels, and each level is filled with enemies and obstacles. The player must destroy all of the enemies in a level in order to progress to the next level. The player can collect power-ups throughout the game to help them defeat their enemies. These power-ups include speed boosts, weapon upgrades, and shields.
Graphics and Sound
Menace is known for its vibrant and colorful graphics. The game’s backgrounds are detailed and varied, and the enemies are all unique and well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.
Legacy
Menace was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and vibrant graphics. Menace has been ported to several home consoles, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Menace is a classic arcade shooter that offers fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and vibrant graphics. The game is a must-play for fans of retro gaming and shoot-em-ups.
Tips for Playing Menace
- Use your ship’s speed boost to dodge enemy fire and obstacles.
- Collect power-ups to upgrade your ship’s weapons and shields.
- Memorize the patterns of enemy attacks to avoid being hit.
- Don’t be afraid to use your special weapons to take out large groups of enemies.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play Menace, the better you will become at it.
Additional Information
- Menace was developed by Atari Games and released in 1988.
- The game was ported to the Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST home computers.
- Menace was also released as part of the Atari Anniversary Collection for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
