Alien Sky
| Alien Sky | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | KraiSoft Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | KraiSoft Entertainment (Windows) Oberon Media (Xbox) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Fixed-screen shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Alien Sky is a fixed-screen shoot ʼem up video game developed by New Zealand studio KraiSoft Entertainment. Originally distributed as shareware for Microsoft Windows on 8 March 2004, it was later included in the launch line-up of Xbox Live Arcade for the original Xbox on 4 January 2005, where it was sold digitally by Oberon Media.[1][2]
Gameplay
[edit]The players control a starfighter that can move horizontally along the bottom of the screen while firing upward at waves of aliens reminiscent of Space Invaders and Galaga.[3][4] Power-ups award temporary weapons—including laser cannons, homing missiles and screen-clearing nuclear bombs—while certain enemy types erect barriers, steal power-ups or ram the player, requiring different tactics.[5] The campaign is divided into ten missions, each ending with an oversized boss encounter; high scores may be uploaded to a worldwide leaderboard.[6]
Development and release
[edit]KraiSoft Entertainment designed Alien Sky as an arcade homage built with in-house tools. Following its 2004 Windows debut, Russian publisher Noviy Disk issued a boxed edition titled Alien Sky. Vrashdebnye nebesa (Враждебные небеса).[7] Microsoft later licensed the game for the original Xbox’s fledgling Xbox Live Arcade service, bundling a time-limited demo on the 2004/2005 Xbox Live Starter Pack disc and offering the full version via digital download.[2][8]
Reception
[edit]The Windows edition holds an average critic rating of 74% on MobyGames, based on five contemporary reviews.[9] Andrew Williams of *Bytten* praised its “solid, colourful action”, but felt later stages became repetitive.[10] Retrospectives on early Xbox Live Arcade line-ups note the title’s faithful retro design and modest production values.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Alien Sky – Releases". MobyGames. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Xbox Live Arcade 2005 Game Demo Disc". Internet Archive. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Kasavin, Greg (26 September 2006). "Alien Sky Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Рецензия на игру Alien Sky. Враждебные небеса" (in Russian). Absolute Games. 7 October 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ Bulić, Nemanja (1 February 2007). "Test fun: Alien Sky 1.7.8". Svet Kompjutera (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Вердикт. Локализации. Враждебные небеса" (in Russian). Igromania. 23 November 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Alien Sky". My Abandonware. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Xbox Live Arcade's Early History – E3 2004 Announcement". 9 March 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Alien Sky (Windows)". MobyGames. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Andrew Williams (25 March 2004). "Review – Alien Sky". Bytten. Retrieved 4 June 2025.