Extrial

STORY / GAMEPLAY
In Extrial your mission is to collect the soldiers that are running around on the platforms by reaching them and crouching down so they can hop into your robotic machine while avoiding or shooting incoming armed robots and other extraterrestrial life forms. There are 3 levels to get through, each with its own end-level boss which obviously you must defeat to be able to progress to the next level. You need precision in every step you take, especially while jumping to platforms, while nasties are also shooting at you! A small hit at a corner, and you’re dead. An incredibly hard game but pretty cool in visuals and sounds.

GRAPHICS / SOUND
Graphics are fine, and it is obvious that a great deal of care and attention has been taken over them, although a bit outdated for a late (1995) Amiga OCS/ECS game. The backgrounds are nicely realized and very well detailed depicting ruins of a destroyed civilization, while its planet is now occupied from nasty aliens and robotic machines. However, the color palette used is quite dark, though every detail is vibrant and easily identifiable. Sprites themselves are also nicely colored, drawn, shaped and animated, giving the game some visual variety.
The main-menu soundtrack is far from thrilling musical experience, but is well composed. There is a spot effect for every single bullet fired, while the game utilizes mostly sampled explosions when you or your enemies die. The in-game music matches to the game's atmosphere, although a bit repetitive.