Alien Swarm Download

• Developer: Valve
• Genre: Action
• Works On: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
• Tags: Alien, Shoot Em Up, Shooter, Top Down, Violent

Reviews

EvilGamer
The gameplay is simple enough, the player just has to get from point A to point B. There are small hints to an actual story spread across certain levels via blood trails, bodies, and active data pads. You can take your time and immerse yourself in the game's premise when you're playing offline but I don't suggest doing so during online play as you may end up being left behind a door that's been welded shut and you may have no means of getting it open again. At least your marine knows what went down as he goes down, if that's any consolation. In this game, though, dead is dead. Once a marine bites the dust, he stays down. There are no re-spawns and the player with the dead marine will have to stay out of the rest of the game.
The controls might take a little getting used to, as it still uses the “WSAD” system to move while aiming with the mouse even with its top-down view. The controls are intuitive and aiming is easy. The view also provides a complete 360 of the nearby environment so you can see where the aliens are coming from and hopefully swivel in time to shoot them before they can get to you. The game is very helpful during offline practice, telling the player what key to press to get a desired effect. This was especially useful when this reviewer played as Special Weapons and did not have a hand-held welder. Going near a door will prompt a pop-up of the effect desired (Reinforce Door) and what key to press to do so yourself or give the command to a fellow marine. Of course, during online play, one can simply type in chat to communicate with the other players.
The games graphics are polished and is very appropriate for its theme. Dark corners abound and the lighting is just bright enough to see the aliens and still keep a sense of suspense. Audio is done well. There are even hints of the memorable motion sensors from the popular movie franchise the game is based on, which only adds to the games charm. Alien Swarm knows what it is, accepts it and goes to town with it, a fun romp around the block shooting aliens down with guns.
The game has been released for free along with the SDK. This simply means anyone can make new levels and share them online. The game's online play is still active and servers are not hard to find, though one should not expect Left 4 Dead 2 levels of activity. It is enjoyable played either alone or with up to three other folks that has nothing better to do for an afternoon that to mow down a horde of aliens into a messy, green pool. Note, though, that you have to sign up with Steam to get the game.