Retro Style Carnage!

Alien Scumbags is a 2D platform shooter created by MonsterFinger Games and is available on the Steam platform for $8.99 and has a playable demo to try out as well.

I need to say this up front, when I first learned about Alien Scumbags I was convinced it was going to be a super-fast paced gore fest that needed twitch reactions to blast through all the aliens at top speed. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that, even though this may be doable on lower difficulties, this game is more of a methodical 2D platform shooter akin to the greats of the past like Duke Nukem (2D), Jazz Jackrabbit, and Commander Keen. If you try to go in guns blazing, even on the next difficulty up from the lowest, you’re going to die…quick.

You are Master Chef, cook extraordinaire with a penchant for violence and saving humanity! Your goal is simple; kill the alien scumbags that have taken over your colony ship and “Make Space Great Again”. All jokes aside, basically just kill anything you come across and try to progress deeper into the ship. Along the way you will pick up collectables that will unlock other characters to use, extended weapon ammo, and boost your score.

There’s something very satisfying about the gameplay in Alien Scumbags. Each shot feels ‘meaty’ and powerful and the Master Chef’s constant one liner’s gave me a big sense of nostalgia for the older games mentioned earlier. In general the platforming is handled well and overall gunplay works great. Speaking of which the selection of available weapons is refreshing, and the Sawblade gun in particular made me giggle a few times at how ridiculous it was. The only hit I have to give it in this department is that ladders feel a bit floaty, especially combined with the sprint. Definitely not game breaking, just an observation.

Graphically the characters, enemies, weapons effects, and environments are done extremely well and are super polished. This is the kind of pixel art work that I would love to have a diorama of in my personal collection! A few outstanding mentions have to go to the creepy doll factory’s background, the blue boomers, and the pools of acid scattered around.

In the audio department I was very surprised that the game’s story scenes were completely voice acted, and each actor does a great job bringing the characters to life. The ambient music fits well and helps re-enforce the creep factor and stressful situations.

All in all, Alien Scumbags was a very fun experience that I would recommend to anyone that enjoys a good 2D platform shooter. If you’re easily offended by vulgarities or demonic gore, maybe this is not the one for you.

Also once you’re done ( it is fairly short ) be sure to check back regularly. By the time this review is published, the new Scumbros mode should be available to play and more content is on the way!