imported>NaccMan at 14:32, 14 December 2025

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{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alien Soldier
| image = Alien Soldier Coverart.png
| developer = [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]]
| publisher = [[Sega]]
| producer = Hideyuki Suganami
| programmer = Hideyuki Suganami Keiji Fujita Masato Maegawa Fukuryuu
| artist = Kaname Shindoh [[Hiroshi Iuchi]] Tsunehisa Kanagae Takehiro Shiga
| composer = Norio Hanzawa
| released = {{Vgrelease|JP|24 February 1995|PAL|May 1995|NA|1995 ([[Sega Channel]])}}
| genre = [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|Run and gun]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive]]
| caption = Japanese cover art
}}

'''''Alien Soldier'''''{{efn|In Japanese: {{nihongo||エイリアンソルジャー|Eirian Sorujā}}}} is a [[Side-scrolling game|side-scrolling]] [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]] video game developed by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive]]. Retail copies were released in Japan and [[PAL territories]] while in North America it was only available exclusively via the [[Sega Channel]] cable service. The story follows a powerful being named Epsilon-Eagle, who after being nearly killed becomes determined to avenge his near death and save his planet. The character has a variety of weapons and moves that the player must master to complete the game. Many gameplay ideas are borrowed from Treasure's earlier Mega Drive release, ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' (1993). However, ''Alien Soldier'' puts an emphasis on challenging [[boss (video game)|boss]] fights with short and easy levels serving as downtime in-between.

Treasure began development on four games after the release of ''Gunstar Heroes'', among these was ''Alien Soldier''. Development lasted two years and was led by Hideyuki Suganami, who originally held ambitious plans and wanted to build the entire game himself. With the market for the Mega Drive quickly shrinking to make headway for the incoming [[32-bit]] [[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|fifth generation]] hardware, Suganami received support from other Treasure staff and released the game with only about half of his original ideas realized. The team designed and marketed ''Alien Soldier'' explicitly for "hardcore" Mega Drive gamers, designing its difficulty and scoring methods for those that enjoyed the system's strong action game library.

''Alien Soldier'' was released towards the end of the Mega Drive's lifecycle in February 1995. Critics praised the game for its challenge and gameplay; these sentiments carried over into retrospective reviews where critics also highlighted the game's graphics, soundtrack, and overall intensity. Some negative critique was directed towards the hard difficulty, steep learning curve, and unorthodox gameplay, but many still recommend it to fans of ''Gunstar Heroes'' and the run and gun genre. The game's first re-release was on the [[PlayStation 2]] in Japan for the ''[[Sega Ages#Sega Ages 2500 (PlayStation 2)|Sega Ages 2500]]'' series which includes different regional releases and extra features. It was also re-released worldwide on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] in 2007, [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in 2011, the [[Nintendo Classics]] service, and the [[Sega Genesis Mini|Sega Genesis Mini 2]] in 2022.

==Gameplay==
[[File:MD Alien Soldier.png|thumb|left|Epsilon-Eagle firing at one of the game's bosses]]
''Alien Soldier'' is a [[Side-scrolling game|side-scrolling]] [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]] video game in which the player controls the main character, Epsilon-Eagle, through 25 stages and 26 bosses.<ref name=ign/><ref name=eurog/> The gameplay has been compared heavily to ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]''; however, putting a much larger emphasis on boss fights, and lacking any 2-player option.<ref name=ign/> The stages are notably short, populated with weak enemies to serve as downtime between the more difficult boss battles. There are two difficulties in the game, "supereasy" and "superhard". Enemies on the hard setting are only slightly more difficult; however, there are no passwords or unlimited continues as in the easy mode.<ref name=gamespot/>

Epsilon-Eagle can run, [[double jump (video gaming)|double jump]], hover in the air, and use six different types of weapons. Only four can be equipped at any given time, but the player may choose which weapons they would like to equip before the game starts. Each gun has its own ammunition bar which can be replenished; if it is depleted the player will be left with a little firepower. The player can also perform a dash across the screen, which when at full health, will become a deadly move called "Phoenix Force" that will damage any enemies in its path. There is also a counter move, that if timed properly, will change enemy bullets into health.<ref name=gamespot/> Epsilon-Eagle can attack in either fixed-fire or free-moving styles. The first makes him immovable while firing a weapon, instead allowing for quick aiming, while the second allows walking and shooting simultaneously with the sacrifice of directional accuracy.<ref name=ign/>

==Plot==
The premise of ''Alien Soldier'' is provided with a long text scroll at the start of the game. After the game has begun, it is not referred to again.<ref name=ign/> In the year 2015, the A-Humans of A-Earth{{efn|The Japanese version uses the terms "A-Humans" and "A-Earth" while the European version uses "Sierrans" and "Sierra".}} have created genetically engineered A-Humans capable of super intelligence and strength, as well as parasitic co-existence with machinery and animals, particularly humans. A terrorist organization known as Scarlet rose up within this race and sought to dominate the rest of the A-Humans and A-Earth by locking the planet down and keeping anyone else out. During the height of Scarlet's power, an assassination attempt on the group's leader, Epsilon-Eagle, was carried out by a special forces group. Scarlet fought back with their powers, and the battle somehow breached the space-time continuum. Epsilon was gravely injured and cast somewhere into the continuum.

With Epsilon-Eagle seemingly gone forever, another Scarlet member known as Xi-Tiger took control of the organization. Under his rule, Scarlet became too brutal even for Scarlet, and they wished for Epsilon to reclaim his position. More or less isolated from the rest of the group, Xi sought to find and assassinate Epsilon himself. He planned an attack on an A-Human research laboratory, where children with special abilities had been kidnapped and experimented on. Upon arriving, Xi-Tiger sensed the presence of Epsilon in one of the boys. However, he was unsure because he could not pinpoint the evil from Epsilon, who had entered the boy's body and was now living as a parasite. Xi-Tiger took a young girl hostage and threatened to kill her unless Epsilon revealed himself. The boy flew into a rage and morphed his body into Epsilon himself. Xi seemed to sense this strange power, and in fear, killed the girl and fled. Epsilon had completely split his dual personality apart, with both good and evil Epsilons now chasing after Xi-Tiger.<ref name=as>''Alien Soldier'', Sega Mega Drive, Japan 1995, Treasure Co., Ltd.</ref>

==Development==
[[File:Sega-Mega-Drive-JP-Mk1-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|right|''Alien Soldier'' was developed for and marketed towards hardcore Mega Drive players.]]
After developing ''Gunstar Heroes'', [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] was divided into four teams working on separate projects: ''[[Dynamite Headdy]]'', ''[[Light Crusader]]'', ''[[Yū Yū Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen]]'', and ''Alien Soldier''.<ref name="interview4"/> Development of ''Alien Soldier'' lasted two years and was led by Hideyuki Suganami, who from the start wanted to make the entire game himself. Despite [[32-bit]] [[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|fifth generation]] hardware already on the market, he chose to program the game for the [[16-bit]] Mega Drive, claiming that he may have been too captivated by the idea of making an "action shooting" game which the system was known for.<ref name="SSMjp3">{{cite magazine|title=Hyper Mega Express for 16bit User: エイリアンソルジャー - 開発者! 1996/NAMI 『AS』|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=3|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=March 1, 1995|pages=120–122|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004224651/http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/|date=2016-10-04}}).</ref> Treasure explicitly targeted the game for "hardcore" Mega Drive players and designed its difficulty and end-game scoring methods with this in mind.<ref name="TSoG">{{cite book|title=前川正人とエイリアンソルジャー|work=The Style of Games|language=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004224651/http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/|date=2016-10-04}}).</ref> Suganami described the game as "for Mega Drivers custom" and proudly placed the phrase on the game's title screen alongside a Mega Drive advertising slogan: "Visualshock! Speedshock! Soundshock!".<ref name="interview4">{{cite web|title=名作アルバム -『ガンスターヒーローズ』-|url=https://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview4.html|website=sega.jp|access-date=16 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114011934/http://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview4.html|archive-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>

Suganami was deeply invested in ''Alien Soldier'' and devoted a lot of personal time to developing it.<ref name="SSMjp3"/><ref name="TSoG"/> He began developing the game himself as the sole designer and programmer. At the time, Mega Drive games typically required two designers and two programmers, but Suganami wanted to challenge himself and see if it was possible to create the game himself.<ref name="interview4" /> He originally had ambitious plans for a large backstory, but in order to make their deadline of 3 January 1995, the majority of it was cut from the game. As the deadline approached, he came to realize he would not be able to complete ''Alien Soldier'' himself, and so additional staff were added to provide him support. He worked overtime during the New Years holidays in order to complete the game while the market for the Mega Drive was quickly shrinking. Only about half of the team's original ideas were completed in time for release.<ref name="TSoG"/><ref name="GH5">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-hihyou-vol.-05-game-magazine-scan-jp/page/37/mode/2up|title=Treasure|magazine=Game Hihyō|volume=5|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=September 1995|pages=36–43|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004224651/http://shmuplations.com/aliensoldier/|date=2016-10-04}}).</ref> They originally planned to create 100 bosses, but this was cut much shorter due to the time constraints.<ref name="works">{{cite book|title=Sega Mega Drive/Collected Works|page=291|last1=Stuart|first1=Keith|year=2014 |isbn=9780957576810}}</ref> One of the bosses that was included, "Seven Force", was originally featured in ''Gunstar Heroes''.<ref name="segaint3">{{cite web|title=名作アルバム -『ガンスターヒーローズ』-|url=https://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview3.html|website=sega.jp|access-date=16 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114011929/http://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview3.html|archive-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>

== Release ==
''Alien Soldier'' was released on 24 February 1995 in Japan,<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1855|title=エイリアンソルジャー [メガドライブ]|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115043/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1855|archive-date=2018-07-27|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-27}}</ref> followed by Europe in May.<ref name="meanmachines" /> The game received a physical cartridge format in Australia, Europe and Japan, but in North America, the game was delivered exclusively through the [[Sega Channel]] cable service.<ref name="ign" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/11/the-sega-channel?page=2|title=The SEGA Channel|date=2008-06-11|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716170812/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/11/the-sega-channel?page=2|archive-date=2018-07-16|url-status=live}}</ref> Released late in the Mega Drive's lifecycle and after the release of the Sega Saturn, ''Alien Soldier'' pushed the system to its technical limits.<ref name="segaagesint">{{cite web|title=「SEGA AGES 2500シリーズ Vol.25 ガンスターヒーローズ～トレジャーボックス～」～奥成プロデューサーに再びインタビュー!～|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20060314/ages.htm|website=game.watch.impress.co.jp|access-date=16 September 2017|date=14 March 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206181723/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20060314/ages.htm|archive-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> Suganami wished he continued working on it after release, believing he could have improved on the story and graphics.<ref name="SSMjp3"/> Years later, Yosuke Okunari of Treasure addressed concerns that ''Alien Soldier'' was released as an incomplete game, stating that the notion is only derived from Suganami having originally had large ambitions that were never realized.<ref name="segaagesint" />

The game's first re-release was in Japan in 2006 on the [[PlayStation 2]] as part of the ''[[Sega Ages#Sega Ages 2500 (PlayStation 2)|Sega Ages 2500]]: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box'' compilation together with ''Gunstar Heroes'' and ''Dynamite Headdy''.<ref name="segaagesint" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Sega Ages: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box Import Impressions|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-ages-gunstar-heroes-treasure-box-import-impressions/1100-6145955/|website=GameSpot|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828091154/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-ages-gunstar-heroes-treasure-box-import-impressions/1100-6145955/|archive-date=28 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Okunari worked on the emulation software for the release and was delighted he would be exposing the game to more people.<ref name="segaagesint" /> The original cartridge has become rare and expensive due to low production numbers and positive word of mouth, selling for over 20,000 yen (~US$200) in used game stores by 2006. The PlayStation 2 release includes both PAL and Japanese versions, video filter options, and a recorded full playthrough done by an expert.<ref name="segaagesint" /><ref name="itmedia2500">{{cite web|title=10年以上を経てもなお色あせない、メガドライブのマスターピース|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0603/13/news044_2.html|website=www.itmedia.co.jp|access-date=16 September 2017|date=13 March 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411140559/http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0603/13/news044_2.html|archive-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> ''Alien Soldier'' was released again worldwide in fall 2007 on the [[Wii]] via the [[Virtual Console]] download service, and again for [[Microsoft Windows]] on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on 6 January 2011. The game was also re-released on the [[Nintendo Switch]]'s [[Nintendo Classics]] service on 16 March 2022.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="ign" /><ref name="steam">{{cite web|title=Alien Soldier on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/71116/|website=Steam|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231080351/http://store.steampowered.com/app/71116//|archive-date=31 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 82%<ref name=grankings>{{cite web|title=Alien Soldier for Genesis - GameRankings|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/564342-alien-soldier/index.html|website=GameRankings|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531175421/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/564342-alien-soldier/index.html|archive-date=31 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CP = 88%<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Elvira|date=April 1995|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero042/Consoles%20+%20042%20-%20Page%20131%20(1995-04).jpg|title=Alien Soldier|language=fr|magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]|issue=42|page=131|access-date=September 4, 2021}}</ref>
| CVG = 80/100<ref name="cvguk">{{cite journal|title=CVG Review / Showcase: Alien Soldier|journal=Computer and Video Games|date=June 1995|issue=163|pages=52–57}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref name=eurog>{{cite news|title=Alien Soldier Review|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_101107?page=2|newspaper=Eurogamer.net| date=10 November 2007 |access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816045504/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_101107?page=2|archive-date=16 August 2016}}</ref>
| Fam = 24/40<ref name=fam>{{cite journal|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: エイリアンソルジャー|journal=Weekly Famicom Tsūshin|date=3 March 1995|issue=324|page=41}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref name=gamespot>{{cite web|last1=Provo|first1=Frank|title=Alien Soldier Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/alien-soldier-review/1900-6182745/|website=GameSpot|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035148/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/alien-soldier-review/1900-6182745/|archive-date=27 January 2019|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name=ign>{{cite web|last1=Thomas|first1=Lucas M.|title=Alien Soldier Review|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/27/alien-soldier-review|website=IGN|date=27 November 2007 |access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820121946/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/27/alien-soldier-review|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MMS = 85/100<ref name="meanmachines">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-33/page/n79/mode/2up |title=Mega Drive Review: ''Alien Soldier'' |magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]] |issue=33 |date=July 1995 |pages=80-81}}</ref>
| NLife = 8/10<ref name=nlife>{{cite web|last1=Calvert|first1=Darren|title=Review: Alien Soldier (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/11/alien_soldier_virtual_console|website=Nintendo Life|date=3 November 2007 |access-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811105009/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/11/alien_soldier_virtual_console|archive-date=11 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)''
| rev2Score = 7.5 / 10<ref name="SSMjpas">{{cite magazine|title=Hyper Mega Express for 16bit User - メガ・ギアドッグレース: エイリアンソルジャー|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=3|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=March 1, 1995|page=128|lang=ja}}</ref>
}}
For its original [[Mega Drive]] release, ''[[Famitsu]]'' provided ''Alien Soldier'' with a score of 24 out of 40.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=fam/> ''[[Mean Machines Sega]]'' called it "a real gameplayer's game", citing the unrelenting waves of enemies and high difficulty. They noted how Treasure was beginning to establish a pattern of good games, and called ''Alien Soldier'' a modern classic.<ref name="meanmachines"/> Simon Clays of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' found it to be challenging and unique by basing its gameplay on boss fights. Other editors from the magazine complimented the boss design and animations.<ref name="cvguk"/>

Frank Provo of ''[[GameSpot]]'' reviewed the Wii Virtual Console release in 2007, citing the excellent graphics, sound, and general intensity of the game. He noted initial difficulty adjusting to the controls and game design. However, once accustomed, he said, "you start totally feeling what it must be like to be an army of one trading firepower with some of the universe's largest, most elaborate creatures. That's a great feeling."<ref name=gamespot/> Lucas M. Thomas of ''[[IGN]]'' noted the game's many similarities to ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' and recommended ''Alien Soldier'' to those who enjoyed it. "''Alien Soldier'' is a long-lost piece of [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]]'s action gaming legacy," said Thomas. "It's got the fast-firing, high-energy, overly-explosive intensity that fans of the company have come to expect."<ref name=ign/> Darren Calvert of ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' described the graphics and animation as some of the best on the Mega Drive. He found the game difficult, but still enjoyable for fans of the run and gun genre.<ref name=nlife/> Dan Whitehead of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' described the game as "manically-paced" and "bizarrely creative" while also providing a disclaimer that it's "really hectic and difficult if you're not into this sort of thing."<ref name=eurog/>
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://vc.sega.jp/vc_aliensoldier/}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/alien-soldier}}

{{Treasure video games}}

[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Treasure (company) games]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games about terrorism]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2015]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

Alien Soldier - Revision history

imported>NaccMan at 14:32, 14 December 2025