Software:Area 51: Site 4

From HandWiki
Area 51: Site 4
Area51Site4.jpeg
A promotional photo for the game
Developer(s)Atari Games/Mesa Logic
Publisher(s)Atari Games
SeriesArea 51
Platform(s)Arcade
Release
Genre(s)Shooting
Arcade systemAtari Media GX hardware

Area 51: Site 4 is a light gun arcade game developed by Atari Games and released in 1998. It is a sequel to the original Area 51,[1] picking up where that game left off. Though the graphics have been improved, they rely on the same FMV streaming technology as the original, and the gameplay remains largely the same as the original game.

Gameplay

The game is broken down into two menus: field exercise and adventure. Field Exercise is the main mode of the game. The training levels are based on brief missions where the player must complete all "training challenges" and the "real mission" (in either order). Completing all the training challenges will involve shooting zombies that are contained in the labs, shooting barrels being thrown right at you, protecting a bus from aliens trying to roll it over, and destroying alien ships, turrets, and missiles. In the final mission, the player must go into a vast warehouse to destroy a giant red alien with multiple limbs, shooting zombies and aliens. The player will lose a life if hit by an enemy, shooting a S.T.A.A.R. team member, failing to complete a quota or letting the bus tip over where the player must protect it.

After the game is beaten, a short sequence of clips are played involving S.T.A.A.R. members, ending with the message, "S.T.A.A.R. Wants You!" similar to the real-world Uncle Sam army recruitment posters. The intro is only seen in attract mode as an intro loop. The end credits can only be seen after playing without putting initials.

Reception

The Atari Times gave the game a positive review, stating "I cannot tell you enough that this game is very good. I mean it has great graphics, It has OK sound, amazing control and incredible gameplay. I mean, what more could you ask for in an arcade shooter?"[2]

References

  1. Matt Cabral, "Area 51: A History of Violence," PlayStation: The Official Magazine 004 (March 2008): 82–83.
  2. "Area 51 Site 4 - the Atari Times". http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=228. 

External links