Alien Syndrome

An overhead-view arcade shoot-'em-up released by Sega in 1987. Players step into the boots of marines Ricky or Mary, tasked with infiltrating alien-infested space colonies to rescue every hostage within a strict time limit before a massive mutant boss blocks the exit. A variety of weapons — including flamethrowers, lasers, and radiation guns — can be picked up throughout each stage. Two-player cooperative play is supported. The labyrinthine maps, tense pacing, and eerie atmosphere made Alien Syndrome one of Sega's defining early sci-fi action titles, and it was subsequently ported to the Master System, Famicom, and several other home platforms.