Alien Carnage Review: A Nostalgic Blast from the Past
Alien Carnage (originally known as Halloween Harry) stands as a time capsule of early PC gaming, offering simple yet satisfying run-and-gun action that once captivated neighborhood kids gathering around the single computer on the block. This classic shareware title, now legally available as freeware, delivers a straightforward alien-blasting experience that balances nostalgic charm with gameplay elements that show their age. While its violence feels tame by modern standards and its platforming mechanics primitive, the game retains an undeniable appeal through its weapon variety and quirky personality.
The core gameplay loop remains engaging decades later: players navigate platforming levels while torching zombies that turn ghostly white before disintegrating, collecting coins dropped by enemies to purchase upgrades from vending machines. The arsenal delivers satisfying variety, ranging from the standard flamethrower to heat-seeking rockets and the almighty Omega weapon - each providing distinct tactical options against the creatively designed enemies. Particularly memorable are the ceiling-crawling blobs that squelch menacingly overhead, demonstrating the developers' knack for creating distinctive adversaries within technical limitations.
I, for one, will continue to return to Harry and his alien shredding ways over and over again.
Gohst
Beyond the core shooting mechanics, the game establishes its personality through unexpected humorous touches. Between rescuing beautiful women (a staple of the era's action games), players encounter mysterious Elvis impersonators hidden throughout the levels - absurd Easter eggs that provide delightful surprises. This offbeat charm helps offset the occasionally frustrating platforming sections that feel dated compared to modern precision designs. The campaign structure holds up surprisingly well too, spanning four substantial chapters with multiple levels each - unusually generous content for a shareware title of its time.
While nostalgia certainly enhances the experience, Alien Carnage stands on its own as a competent action-platformer that understands its strengths. The straightforward "kill everything" objective remains satisfyingly pure, and the weapon upgrade system adds just enough progression to maintain engagement. For modern players, it serves as both an entertaining curiosity and a valuable historical artifact showing how developers created compelling experiences within tight technical constraints. The fact that it's now completely free removes any barrier to experiencing this slice of gaming history.
Verdict
Nostalgic shareware shooter with satisfying weapon variety
