Welcome back to the retro future, where aliens are meaner, grittier, and decidedly less friendly than your last Tinder date. In Alien Breed: Impact, Team17 resurrects its classic franchise from the dead, and trust me, these aliens didn't sign up for any kind of zombie apocalypse in space. Prepare your thumbs for frantic shooting against foes that firmly believe in no mercy and zero manners.
Imagine taking a trip to space with your favorite alien-hunting hero, Theodore J. Conrad, as he gets thrust into a series of hairy predicaments on a ghost ship. Each level is like a puzzle crafted by a deranged architect who is obsessed with deadly aliens rather than happy little trees. Your missions include collecting keycards, restoring power (because who doesn't love flipping switches in sci-fi settings?), and escorting innocents who are probably more trouble than they're worth. While this sounds about as fun as assembling IKEA furniture, it actually manages to be exciting, partially because each gun upgrade can be the difference between life and a face full of alien teeth. Conrad can run, shoot, and yes, procure a delightful assortment of weaponry, ensuring that he can obliterate alien hordes in style. The camera plays nice too, allowing for 45-degree rotations that help ease the headache from the endless shooting and evading you'll inevitably partake in.
Visually, Impact resurrects the 90s with a sprinkle of modern polish, like an old classic car with a shiny new paint job. The environments jump out at you, infused with the kind of lighting that makes you say, 'Ah, this is why I upgraded my TV!' There's a decent amount of detail and character in the alien designs, ensuring they're appropriately grotesque. Rest assured, each alien will be lurking in dark corners ready to pop out and send your heart racing faster than your latest gaming achievement.
In the end, Alien Breed: Impact is like that relative who shows up at family gatherings: a little strange, slightly outdated, but ultimately endearing. While it may not deliver a full course meal (or a futuristic buffet), it offers enough thrills and spills to satisfy a nostalgic night of gaming. The experience may grow a tad repetitive over time, but the explosive action and intriguing narrative make it worth the ride. Slap on a score of 7.0 and invite your couch co-op buddy over; the aliens aren't going to shoot themselves. Remember, when it comes to alien infestations, better aim for the head!