Invasion From Beyond (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  James Mielke
• Reviewed on: 01/29/1999
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 11/30/1998
• Originally published on GameSpot: Invasion From Beyond (PlayStation) Review

A surprise piece of software from unsung developer King of the Jungle (its last title, Agent Armstrong, never came out here), Invasion From Beyond arrives like a bolt out of the blue and adds an exciting new take on the "vehicular combat" genre. While not conceived in a Twisted Metal/Vigilante 8 sort of way, there are many things that fans of those other games will find familiar here. As a member of a group assigned to investigate the arrival of, and ultimately protect the world from, an invading armada of space aliens, you take command of an aircraft and set out to do battle in this mission-based shooter.

Similarities between Invasion and other vehicular shooters like Vigilante 8 include fully destructible 3D environments, frenetic action, and awesome light sourcing. The thing that separates Invasion from other games of this nature, aside from the 1950s B-movie premise, is the dazzling 50-60fps speed of the game engine.

During the course of the game, you will receive a large number of mission objectives, which are read in the mission subscreen. After each message you receive from your HQ, you will be given any number of instructions, ranging from escort assignments, to protecting scientists, to simply shooting down as many UFOs as possible. Control is well thought out and has brought some interesting new twists to the usual aim-and-shoot control schemes. By moving the targeting cursor, instead of the ship, it is easier to track alien ships from this third-person perspective than you'd expect. Although it takes a little getting used to, it enables the gamer to rely on skill rather than some cheesy auto-aiming function.

The ambiance in Invasion is awesome. The UFOs hover and buzz so "realistically" you'll hardly be able to contain yourself as HQ tells you to "hold your fire." Not all UFOs move the same. Huge motherships and carriers move slowly and ominously, while fighter ships zip around like wasps on a summer day. Fortunately, you're able to power up your ship during the course of each mission. You can also upgrade you ship in between missions if you rescue enough scientists. With over 30 missions, of differing complexity, you can be sure you won't finish this game anytime soon.

Continue reading