[ Retro Scan ] Can You Take the Terror?
January 23rd, 2017 by Benj Edwards
A very good existential question for these times
I seem to recall Alien 3 being a fairly well-received game for the Super NES. But I’m not sure I’ve ever played the Genesis version. In fact, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen the Alien 3 film, despite being a fan of the first two films in the Alien series.
So what do I know about this game? Nothing!
But I like the art in this advertisement. Its headline question very clearly conjures up how I feel these days about uncertainties in life, the economy, and politics.
Speaking of the economy, I recently started a Patreon campaign to fund my work on this site. In fact, everyone donating $10 or more a month on Patreon is getting access to a 600 DPI version of this scan (along with access to full research interviews used in future articles). At some point I hope to make available high-res versions of all the previous Retro Scans available to select patrons as well.
Discussion Topic: What’s the scariest classic video game you’ve ever played (let’s say pre-1997)?
January 24th, 2017 at 12:10 am
Alone in the Dark (PC – 1992) was pretty creepy and foreboding, but it’s hard to be scared of the simple polygon graphics. I remember encountering the first creature and wondering what it was, only to find out later it was actually a monster and not some weird duck.
January 24th, 2017 at 7:47 am
The original Castle Wolfenstein.. I can still remember walking around, dreading that “HALT!” and “Kommen Sie!”. Always made me jump out of my skin.
January 25th, 2017 at 4:43 am
” In fact, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen the Alien 3 film, despite being a fan of the first two films in the Alien series.”
I’d say being a fan of Alien and Aliens is the BEST reason to not watch Alien 3.
When I was little, the scariest game we had was the 99/4a version of Hunt The Wumpus.
It was special because when the wumpus got you, you were treated to what kids these days call a “cutscene” of the Wumpus’ jaw closing down on you, and that can scare the bejeezus out of a six-year-old with an active imagination.
January 25th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
Ditto on the general feeling of impending terror. The German word is Vernichtungsgefühl.
The scariest pre-1997 side-scroller has to be Abuse. It’s nearly a perfect action side-scroller.