Alien Highway
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| Developer(s) | Mark Haigh-Hutchinson |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Vortex Software |
| Platform(s) | Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum |
| Release | 1986 |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Alien Highway: Encounter 2 is an isometric action game released by Vortex in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was programmed by Mark Haigh-Hutchinson and is the sequel to Highway Encounter.
Gameplay[edit]
Gameplay is similar to Highway Encounter, with the player controlling a "Vorton" robot in its attempt to deliver a bomb to an alien base at the end of a highway. Various enemies and obstacles lie in its path.
A notable difference is that the player has a single Vorton with an energy meter, instead of five lives; accordingly, the bomb must be pushed by the player, whereas in the previous game it was pushed by the player's spare Vortons.
Development[edit]
Mark Haigh-Hutchinson, the developer
"After Highway Costa [Panayi] wanted to come up with something completely different again. Since I was now working full-time for Vortex it was decided that I should write Alien Highway whilst Costa developed his new ideas. I had previously written Android One for the Amstrad CPC (in my spare time at University) and then converted Highway Encounter to the CPC in 8 weeks after graduation. Alien Highway attempted to retain the essence of the original game yet expand the gameplay and introduce a random element into the game. It was also considerably faster than the original."[1]
Reception[edit]
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Amstrad Action | 89%[2] |
| Amtix | 80%[3] |
| Crash | 88%[4] |
| Computer and Video Games | 33/40[5] |
| Sinclair User |  [6] |
| Your Sinclair | 9/10[7] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Computer and Video Games | C+VG Hit[8] |
| Your Sinclair | Megagame[9] |
Alien Highway received positive reviews.
References[edit]
- ^ Mark Haigh-Hutchinson, "The History of Vortex Software", March 1995
- ^ Wade, Bob (June 1986). "Action Test". Amstrad Action. No. 9. pp. 48–49.
- ^ "Reviews". Amtix. No. 8. June 1986. p. 33.
- ^ "Reviews". Crash. No. 29. June 1986. p. 23.
- ^ "Software Reviews". Computer and Video Games. No. 56. June 1986. pp. 14–15.
- ^ Rook, Gary (June 1986). "Software". Sinclair User. No. 51. p. 43.
- ^ MacDonald, Rachael (July 1986). "Screen Shots". Your Sinclair. No. 7. p. 35.
- ^ Game review, Computer & Video Games issue 56, June 1986, page 14
- ^ Game review, Your Sinclair issue 6, July 1986, page 35
External links[edit]
- Alien Highway can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
- Alien Highway at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- Alien Highway at MobyGames