Xenon

STORY / GAMEPLAY
Human colonies are under attack by a mysterious and violent alien species called "The Xenites" (probably originating from planet Xenon). You're an elite pilot named Darrian and it's time to take action, defend your colony and engage the attackers in a battle with your secret weapon (an armored tank that can transform into a mighty aircraft! This transformation is quite unique for its time but it seems that it's effecting the gameplay quite a bit, as the game is an arcade shooter and when transforming (from air to ground) it slows down the action; a fact that can sometimes become frustrating. The transformation between these two different vehicles can be triggered almost at any time of the game (except during the mid and the end of any level boss sections). Along the way there are several power ups available to collect, necessary to destroy particular enemy structures or even battleships (plus the intelligent bosses at the end of each level.)

GRAPHICS / SOUND
The Amiga version is identical to the Atari ST. The graphics are superb for its time and the installations are wonderfully drawn. Although the backgrounds look quite similar throughout the game, occasionally changing in colors and textures being mostly tiles, the installations give this metal-like sense with nice shadows whilst the sprites are nicely detailed. Everything moves fast and smooth (especially when airborne). At the beginning of each sector there is a digitized face that announces the sector's number (i.e. "Sector One"). The face is no other than Bitmap Brothers' Eric Matthews! The game's sounds are also of high standards, consisting of some atmospheric tunes composed by David Whittaker along with great explosion and shooting sound effects plus the awesome Eric's voice! The zappy and kaboom sounds enhance the game a lot and give a wonderful feel. I must admit though that the in-game music sounds better on the Atari ST version(!)

THE ARCADE VERSION
The arcade version of Xenon is actually based on the Arcadia Systems' Horizontal Conversion Kit, a specially modified Amiga 500 arcade board (!)

GAMEPLAY SAMPLE VIDEO
On our video below you may watch the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Atari ST and Arcade (Arcadia Systems' Amiga based) versions of the game. The Arcadia Systems' version is at 12:42.