Welcome, earthlings and conspiracy theorists alike, to Area 51, a game that’s probably about as classified as your Aunt Bertha’s secret chili recipe. Released in 1996 on the PlayStation, this light gun shooter invites you to blast your way through extraterrestrial foes and genetically modified zombies. It’s got action, excitement, and more grinding than your Saturday night at home. Now, strap in and let’s explore the skillset required to keep your virtual self from turning into alien goo.
Area 51 throws you into a chaotic conflict where you actually play a Special Tactical Advanced Alien Response (yes, that’s real fancy jargon) team member. Your mission? Penetrate the depths of Area 51 and set off a nuclear self-destruct sequence, all while dodging the undead and ultra-funny extraterrestrial beings. Each level is more packed than a can of sardines at a family reunion, featuring various sections like warehouses and dank tunnels. Sure, it’s not exactly the glamorous Hollywood portrayal of military operations, but it gets the job done! One of the most prominent challenges arises from your ability to keep your team members—unsurprisingly referred to as STAAR team members—alive. You see, if you accidentally er, blow them away, you trigger ‘Kronn Hunter’ mode. Alexander the Great had it easy compared to your struggle of avoiding friendly fire here! Oh, and let’s talk weaponry! You start with a semi-automatic pistol. I know, thrilling, right? But don’t panic! As you shoot targets, you can upgrade your arsenal to a machine gun, shotgun, and even an automatic shotgun. Hitting enemies correctly will reward you with increasingly fun methods of taking out foes (and can we give it to them for the fun of blowing things up?). Advanced weapons allow you to keep the fire going, while any hits you take downgrade your weapon back to basic. You might say that makes it a bit of a hot potato situation, you know? On top of that, you have grenades scattered around like Easter eggs. Are you feeling lucky? They can take out a horde of enemies at once—perfect for that moment when things get heated and you realize dodging will no longer save you. Plus, bonus rooms and destructible environments allow you to engage in mini-shooting exercises or find secret items that could stoke the fires of your hopeful gamer heart. Still, the game has a varied roster of foes ready to skewer you, with aliens bouncing in from every corner. They come in different flavors—some punch, some shoot, and others hurl things that aren’t supposed to fly. You have zombie soldiers that keep things lively and, if you’re not careful, dead! Horror movie vibes here, except you’re controlling the demise of those who rise from your headshot mishaps. Good luck with that one—perseverance is key. You’ll find yourself dancing with strategy, prioritizing dodging over all else, and testing your reflexes like you’re in an Olympian competition.
Now let’s chat visuals. For 1996, the graphics were actually quite the spectacle—if your definition of ‘spectacle’ involves aliens shrinking from well-placed shots while bursting into colorful bits. The environments boast smooth transitions, but don't expect today’s ray-traced, ultra-high-resolution graphics. They elected to adopt a classic digitized video style combined with pre-rendered 3D environments, which gives it a nostalgic aura for some and a ‘what did I just play?’ feeling for others. The level design could be likened to a retro sci-fi series; think VHS fuzziness meets alien invasions. Overall, it’s charming but not groundbreaking—kind of like your aunt's hand-knit award-winning sweater: nice but not exactly a fashion statement.
In conclusion, Area 51 on PlayStation is a nostalgic blast from the past. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe question your ability to shoot accurately. Its challenges offer a distinctive set of skills ranging from reflexes to strategy, and while it might not stand shoulder to shoulder with modern standards (sorry, Fortnite lovers), it has enough charm and retro fun to keep you entertained. So grab your light gun (or controller if you're one of those people), and dive into the chaos. Who knows? You may just save the Earth or end up being abducted by an alien under-cover council. What could be cooler than that?
Another SquareThought Site