Gaming News - December 2006

San Francisco, CA (December 12, 2006) - SEGA today announced Alien Syndrome, developed by Totally Games.  Alien Syndrome will launch simultaneously for Nintendo's Wii system and the PSP.

From SEGA:

Alien Syndrome features two fast-paced action-RPG modes – the dramatic and engaging single-player campaign, plus an infinitely replayable co-op multiplayer mode for up to four players. Derived from the classic SEGA arcade game, Alien Syndrome's new action-RPG gameplay makes it easy to pick up and play, while its depth and wealth of features and missions keeps it challenging for all gamers.

In Alien Syndrome, players will take control of the game's strong and enigmatic heroine – Earth Command Trooper Aileen Harding – and battle a variety of fearsome aliens and colossal bosses. Gamers will choose from a wide selection of character specialties and skills as they progress through an engrossing campaign, protected by many different types of armor and using a variety of melee and ranged weaponry. Players can improve their heroine's statistics and discover a huge number of powerful new abilities as they fight through infested spaceships and bizarre alien planets.

"SEGA is updating its classic franchises and re-imagining these brands on next-generation and portable consoles for today's gamer," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Alien Syndrome uniquely combines arcade-style shooter gameplay with RPG elements, making it the only fast-paced, sci-fi action-RPG on the Wii and PSP."

Alien Syndrome features 20 different weapons including flamethrowers, quad-barreled lasers, nanobot swarms that dissolve enemies, and incendiary grenades that shoot fire geysers from the ground. Each weapon offers advantages and disadvantages, dependent upon how it is used and the specializations players have chosen to adopt. Alien Syndrome's fast-paced combat also allows for any number of combat strategies to defeat over 100 different alien enemies at one time.

"Completely re-designed from the ground up for the PSP and the Wii, this new Alien Syndrome offers a refreshing blast-athon on a venerable classic," said Larry Holland, President and Creative Director of Totally Games. "As well, it has allowed us to exercise our science fiction chops to the fullest to create a totally involving futuristic action-RPG game experience."

Aileen has an indestructible battle-robot assistant trailing her at all times. This helpful companion will automatically attack nearby targets during battle. It also acts as a vendor through which players can purchase or sell items at any time, as well as construct better weapons and synthesize more powerful items. Additionally, the robot can be upgraded with abilities such as healing and charging weapons.

Alien Syndrome on the Wii will utilize the Wii Remote's motion-sensitive technology to allow players a full range of motion when slashing through enemies, unloading on bosses, or running and gunning through hallways. Gamers will also be able to access new game modes and mechanisms that expand on the core gameplay. These new features include using the Wii Remote to craft new items, to enhance existing items and character abilities, and to hack into computer systems.

For gamers on the go, Alien Syndrome on the PSP system is Wi-Fi enabled so that up to four players can play cooperatively in various multiplayer modes.