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Sega announces Alien Syndrome (by Totally Games) for Wii, PSP

The PSP version was already known (though not officially announced), but the Wii version is certainly a surprise. I can't help but be reminded of this old Drinky troll thread, though...

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=39239

SEGA announced Alien Syndrome, a fast-paced action-RPG set in a stunningly imaginative sci-fi universe, offering two fast-paced action-RPG modes – the dramatic and engaging single-player campaign, plus a hugely re-playable co-op multiplayer mode where up to four players can delve into the daring quest.



Derived from the classic SEGA IP, Alien Syndrome for the Wii and PSP plunges players into its easy to pick up and play action-RPG gameplay, while offering depth and a wealth of features and missions to challenge all gamers.

Alien Syndrome puts players in control of the strong and enigmatic heroine – Earth Command Trooper Aileen Harding – as she battles through a wide variety of environments including onboard infested spaceships and bizarre alien planets, taking on a mixture of fearsome aliens and colossal bosses. Players can choose from a wide selection of character specialties and skills to hone their character before embarking upon their sci-fi adventure. As they progress through the engrossing campaign, protected by different types of armour and using a variety of melee and ranged weaponry, players can improve their heroine’s statistics and discover powerful new abilities.

“Alien Syndrome is a great update of a classic franchise that has been designed to fit perfectly onto both the innovative Wii and the portable PSP,” said Matt Woodley, Creative Director, SEGA Publishing Europe Ltd. “Alien Syndrome is the only fast-paced, sci-fi action –RPG for the Wii and PSP and brilliantly blends arcade-style shooter gameplay with elements from RPGs.”

“Completely re-designed from the ground up for the PSP and the Wii, this new Alien Syndrome offers a refreshing blast-athon on a venerable classic,” said Larry Holland, President and Creative Director of Totally Games. “As well, it has allowed us to exercise our science fiction chops to the fullest to create a totally involving futuristic action-RPG game experience.”

Alien Syndrome offers 20 different weapons to use, ranging from flamethrowers, quad-barrelled lasers, nanobot swarms that dissolve enemies and incendiary grenades that unleash fire geysers from the ground. Each weapon offers different advantages and disadvantages, dependent upon how it is used and which speciality the player has chosen to adopt. With the sheer variety of weapons and abilities available to players, any number of combat strategies can be used to defeat hordes of more than 100 different alien enemies.

Alien Syndrome on the Wii will utilise the Wii remote’s unique gyroscopic feature by enabling players a full range of motion when slashing through enemies, unloading devastation on bosses, or running and gunning through hallways. Players will also be able to access various new game modes and mechanisms. These extra features include using the Wii controllers to craft new items, to enhance existing items and character abilities and to hack into computer systems.

For gamers on the go, Alien Syndrome on the PSP is wi-fi enabled so that up to four players can embark upon playing cooperatively through the alien infested levels in various multiplayer modes.

Alien Syndrome is developed by Totally Games and will be available for the Wii and PSP system in summer 2007.
 

radjago

Member
This is interesting. First of all, Alien Syndrome is an interesting choice because it hasn't had a sequel or remake yet. The original game was an overhead shooter, but I could see how it could work as a sci-fi ARPG. I remember hearing Totally Games was working on a PSP game and that they were working on an IP from Sega, but I never connected the dots. Totally Games isn't the first dev that comes to mind for ARPGs, but they seem to do quality work.
 

jj984jj

He's a pretty swell guy in my books anyway.
I noticed a lot of similar software being used in GCN development being announced for PSP back in 2004. So I also thought of what Drinky did when Wii was announced. Question is that in the future will they give priority to traditional gameplay or waggle gimmicks that would translate horribly to the PSP. I think it more of a concern than a good thing for either system.
 

jooey

The Motorcycle That Wouldn't Slow Down
D-X said:
Interesting that Sega should keep supporting the PSP. Do they know something we don't?
we don't know how to screw up their franchises like they do?
 

ProphetZG

Member
I loved Alien Syndrome in the arcades (wow, that was a long time ago).

This sounds interesting. Basically it would be "Alien the RPG" but without Sigourney Weaver. :)
 

Rlan

Member
Strange choice considering the game came out in 1987 :lol

So thats one "3rd party a new game with an old SEGA IP", there is still another to be announced, right?
 

ethelred

Member
Rlan said:
Strange choice considering the game came out in 1987 :lol

So thats one "3rd party a new game with an old SEGA IP", there is still another to be announced, right?

I think Afterburner for PSP was the other. Plus Golden Axe for 360/PS3.
 

ethelred

Member
BenjaminBirdie said:
Didn't they also get the Alien license? So confusing!

Yeah. Are they making an Alien RPG and an Alien Syndrome RPG? Cause that's just... ****in' weird.

ProphetZG said:
Actually... I was just imagining what a handheld Dreamcast could be like earlier today...

dreamcastvmutj4.jpg
 

castle007

Banned
ProphetZG said:
Actually... I was just imagining what a handheld Dreamcast could be like earlier today...

Wasn't there a rumor 2 years ago that a company was making a handheld dreamcast, but Sega stopped them??
 
A dungeon hack?

Shit, didn't they see what happened to Fallout when they tried that? Dissapointment am total
always wanted to say that.
 

ManaByte

Member
I've heard...rumors...that Larry Holland went all Kenji Eno whacko after his unannounced Xbox 1 game was canned faster than Xavior Fox.
 

GhaleonEB

Member
Sega's bringing back some good franchises from the archives. I last played this on the Sega Master System. Boy, that takes me back. :lol
 

drohne

hyperbolically metafictive
arpg huh? well let's hope they don't skimp on the shootiness. alien syndrome is still fun. even the d3 sega ages remake was remarkably good.
 

ethelred

Member
drohne said:
arpg huh? well let's hope they don't skimp on the shootiness. alien syndrome is still fun. even the d3 sega ages remake was remarkably good.

Definitely a bit odd, but it'll be interesting to see what they do with it. There were some neat ideas in Sigma Star Saga, but the whole package was botched beyond belief. Maybe a more talented developer can make something of the concept.
 

Mook1e

Member
Branduil said:
So when are we going to get a MGS: PO port with superior controls?
Please GOD no.
On a 4.7" screen it looks good, but it would cause me to gouge my eyes out if I had to play it on my big screen.
 
Wait... of all the IP's Sega could resurrect... this? They have the Aliens license, they just announced it! This makes about as much sense as the Chewbacca Defense! Sega, I will never understand you guys...
Daytona USA 3 please or GTFO...
 
Schafer said:
Ah Totally Games, how far you've fallen. :(

Agreed. :(

... not that this looks awful or something, but seriously... TIE Fighter or this? Yeah. The Totally Games I loved after playing that game is gone. Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe was so mediocre compared to what they used to do... and even if TIE Fighter is by far their best game, X-Wing and X-Wing Alliance were solid games too.

And anyway, Totally Games, third-person action-RPG? What the heck? They've only ever made flight games! Even if this is good, the fact that one of the very few space flight sim makers that still actually exists isn't making one is sad.
 
D-X said:
Interesting that Sega should keep supporting the PSP. Do they know something we don't?

Yes, they know how not to be fanboys and instead make money by developing for as many systems as possible.
 

jarrod

Banned
DemDereNads said:
Yes, they know how not to be fanboys and instead make money by developing for as many systems as possible.
Interesting to note though that SEGA themselves aren't really developing anything for PSP (besides a few Brain Trainings and a Planetarium sim)... they're just hiring western game makers to do it for them while they concentrate on DS/Wii/PS3. PSP's sort of in the same boat as 360.
 

D-X

Member
DemDereNads said:
Yes, they know how not to be fanboys and instead make money by developing for as many systems as possible.

Well surely it would sell better on the DS
 
D-X said:
Well surely it would sell better on the DS

Would it sell better on the DS than it would on the Wii/PSP? And would it even work on the DS? Certainly would be a totally different game on the DS.

There's more things to think about than just which system sells more units.
 

D-X

Member
DemDereNads said:
Would it sell better on the DS than it would on the Wii/PSP? And would it even work on the DS? Certainly would be a totally different game on the DS.

There's more things to think about than just which system sells more units.

Agreed it would be a totally different game.

With Afterburner, Alien Syndrome, Sonic Rivals, Full Auto 2, Virtua Tennis 3 Sega seem to be pushing the system despite its poor retail performance. For the surprise hit DS, Sega are producing Charlotte's Web. Purely from a financial stance it seems a poor choice.
 

farnham

Banned
D-X said:
Agreed it would be a totally different game.

With Afterburner, Alien Syndrome, Sonic Rivals, Full Auto 2, Virtua Tennis 3 Sega seem to be pushing the system despite its poor retail performance. For the surprise hit DS, Sega are producing Charlotte's Web. Purely from a financial stance it seems a poor choice.


and oshare love and berry will probably sell 1 million copies

oh and there is sankokushi taisen..
 

jarrod

Banned
DemDereNads said:
Would it sell better on the DS than it would on the Wii/PSP? And would it even work on the DS? Certainly would be a totally different game on the DS.

There's more things to think about than just which system sells more units.
Going by those pics, geometry looks about DS level actually. :lol

Y'know, unless it's Sumo Digital ports/revisions of SEGA AM made arcade games (ie: Outrun 2/2002 & VT3/WT).... I sort of think this whole contracted-western-developer-reviving-old-IPs-thing was a really really bad idea.
 

farnham

Banned
jarrod said:
Going by those pics, geometry looks about DS level actually. :lol

Y'know, unless it's Sumo Digital ports/revisions of SEGA AM made arcade games (ie: Outrun 2/2002 & VT3/WT).... I sort of think this whole contracted-western-developer-reviving-old-IPs-thing was a really really bad idea.


why no Virtua Tennis 3 on Wii.. it would be a perfect fit..
 

Fady K

Member
Hmmm, they announce this around the same week they acquire the Alien license. I wonder if this is part of it. Games looks so-so. Wonder if itll play well.
 
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