🎮 Gameplay and level types
At first glance, Alien Storm looks like a classic side-scrolling beat 'em up. You move through city streets, defeat waves of enemies, and continue to the next area once the screen is clear. But the game doesn't stick to that formula for long. SEGA built the levels around several different gameplay styles, which keeps the pace changing from one mission to the next.
The most common sections play out like a traditional brawler. Your character walks through the streets fighting aliens at close range with their main weapon. One small twist is that enemies often hide inside ordinary objects. Trash cans, street signs, and other pieces of scenery can suddenly open up and reveal an alien waiting to attack. It makes every part of the environment feel suspicious, especially when you're moving through a crowded level.
From time to time the game switches to a crosshair shooting stage. Instead of controlling your character directly, you move a targeting reticle across the screen and shoot aliens as they pop out of buildings and windows. These segments are short but fast-paced, and they break up the rhythm of the street fights.
The third type of mission feels closer to a shooter. Your character runs forward automatically while you focus on firing at enemies in front of you. These run-and-gun sections move quickly and usually appear between the main combat stages.
Because the game rotates between these different level types, Alien Storm rarely feels repetitive. Just as you settle into one style of play, the next mission shifts perspective and asks you to react in a different way.
👥 Playable characters
At the start of Alien Storm, you choose one of three members of the Alien Busters team. Each character uses a different weapon, which slightly changes the feel of combat.
- 🔫 Garth uses a blaster that fires energy shots straight ahead. His weapon has good range and allows him to deal with enemies before they get too close.
- 🔥 Karen carries a flamethrower. The stream of fire spreads in front of her and can hit several aliens at once, which makes her effective when enemies crowd around the player.
- ⚡ Scooter is a combat robot equipped with an electric whip. His attacks strike quickly and can reach enemies a short distance away, giving him a more close-range fighting style.
All three characters also have a powerful special attack that uses part of the energy meter. When activated, it clears most enemies on the screen and can help when the fight starts getting out of control.
🗝 Cheats and secrets
The Genesis/Mega Drive version of Alien Storm includes a hidden option that lets you change the number of starting credits. This can be useful if you want a few extra continues while learning the game or playing through it with a friend.
Change starting number of credits
Enter Options from the main menu and input the following sequence:
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Press Enter to return to the main menu. Then open Sound Test, and press Enter again to go back.
Enter Options once more. A new setting called Credits will now appear, allowing you to adjust the number of starting credits.
🕹 Playing Alien Storm today
Alien Storm is still easy to pick up. The controls are simple, the action starts quickly, and the levels move at a steady pace. One moment you're clearing aliens in a street fight, the next you're aiming at creatures jumping out of windows or blasting through a fast shooting section.
You can play Alien Storm online directly on this page using the SEGA Genesis version of the game. Just start the game, choose one of the Alien Busters, and the mission begins almost immediately.
It's the same straightforward arcade-style action the game was known for - quick stages, strange enemies hiding in everyday objects, and just enough chaos to keep each level interesting.