"Timeless Classic"

Introduction:
When looking back to my early days of gaming, Alphaman is one of my all time favorites. It is a DOS based, ASCII, action/RPG. This game relies on humor and story, rather than flashy graphics and scantily clad women.

Gameplay: 9/10
The mechanics of the game are fairly straightforward. Your character has a range of stats that are pretty standard for any RPG. These stats increase as you play. The method of fighting enemies ranges from simply pressing up against them, to throwing any number of objects (cigarette machines included), to blowing them away with a special mental or physical power. Aside from surviving battles, you must keep your character rested and fed.

The only aspect of the gameplay that is frustrating is the incredible ease with which your character can die. Getting caught in a trap or killed by a random monster will remind you of the necessity of saving often.

Story: 10/10
The story is incredibly refreshing. No more teenage angst, amnesia, or love stories. Nope, you, a mutant, have to stop an evil villain (aided by a music legend and some TV stars, of course). Because of the lack of graphic detail, the battles are supplemented with text. While this text may sound boring, the developer has some great comments such as: "You deserve a pat on the back" and "Another one bites the dust." The enemies that you encounter also add to the experience(The first time I defeated a "Bush" only to witness it transform into a "Quayle," I was too stunned to laugh).

Graphics/Sound: 6/10
The graphics may cause problems for some. As earlier mentioned, this game is done in ASCII, so every part of the game is built with simple ASCII characters. Your main character is a smiley face, and each different enemy is represented by a different letter. People who buy games for the graphics may not be able to overcome this setback. The game, however works well with the graphics and a boost to the graphics in this game might actually be a large step back.

As for sound...there is none. So queue up some good mp3s and enjoy the game with your own custom soundtrack. Because of the age of this game, it is probably better that way anyways.

Replay Value: 10/10
Three difficulty modes, combined with random maps, random dungeons, and random starting special abilities make this game timeless. Each play through produces a new experience. The added ability to create your own weak enemy only complements the overall value.

Final Recommendation:
If you want something entertaining and simple, this game is for you. It is shared, legally, all over the net as shareware. Mr. Olson has a link, that or may not work, posted in his FAQ. All in all a great game. Its free, so try it already.

Overall: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/06/04