ALIEN 50 is a 2D action strategy indie adventure game for PC that blends board defense, run and gun platforming, and helicopter air combat into a single hand-drawn experience with an adult animation style. The premise follows Sergeant Steve, the lone defender of a farm in Santa Aurora after aliens arrive to seize gold, water, and cattle, leaving floating saucers and abducted livestock in their wake. Players take on the alien Consortium threat across varied gameplay systems that switch between tactical placement and direct combat.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on three distinct systems that players rotate through during stages. Board defense places units on a six-lane grid where troops can be repositioned at any moment to counter advancing alien waves and ultimately target the mothership. Available units include riflemen for basic firepower, shield troopers for frontline holding, snipers for ranged precision, tanks for heavy armor, helicopters for aerial support, and portals for repositioning or surprise attacks.
Run and gun sections shift to side-scrolling action where players run, jump, and shoot through invaded locations while rescuing captured cows. Helicopter segments put players in control of aircraft to navigate storms, engage enemy squadrons, and confront large bosses in open skies. These systems combine strategy with real-time action, requiring quick decisions on unit placement alongside precise shooting and flight maneuvers. The hand-drawn art style carries an adult tone across all sections, emphasizing the chaotic farm invasion theme.
Game Modes
Board defense forms the tactical backbone, with players building and adjusting squads on the six-lane board to repel hordes and destroy the central threat. Run and gun delivers linear progression through specific environments including an invaded farm, a barn, a mine, a moving train, and another dimension. Helicopter combat focuses on aerial dogfights and boss encounters amid stormy conditions.
Additional options expand replayability with endless modes for sustained challenges, artillery training for targeting practice, and duel training against bots. The campaign structures these elements into 10 stages that advance a comic-book style narrative. Two difficulty settings are available, with Legendary mode removing checkpoints for a stricter test of skill. The Peddler's shop allows purchases of ammo and gear to customize loadouts between stages.
Story and Content
World 1 delivers a complete campaign across its 10 stages, supported by comic-book storytelling that unfolds the alien invasion of Santa Aurora. Unique bosses appear throughout, such as the Cook, the War Blowfly, the Foreman, and the Parasite Cow, each presenting distinct combat encounters tied to the overall threat. The narrative follows Sergeant Steve's stand against the Consortium's resource grab, incorporating the farm setting and cattle motif into the progression.
Text support covers English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Extra modes like endless play and bot training provide ongoing single-player content beyond the main campaign. Future updates are planned to add new worlds and a 1v1 online mode pitting humans against aliens.
Is It Worth Playing?
ALIEN 50 suits players who enjoy indie titles that merge strategy and action without relying on multiplayer for core enjoyment. The three-way gameplay mix offers variety within a single package, appealing to those interested in board-style defense alongside platforming and aerial combat. World 1 stands as a finished experience with its 10 stages, bosses, and shop system, while Legendary difficulty and training modes add depth for repeat play.
Those seeking a focused single-player campaign with hand-drawn visuals and a humorous premise around alien cattle theft will find the current content substantial. The absence of the announced online mode means the game remains single-player focused for now, making it a strong choice for solo strategy-action fans who value mechanical variety over large-scale multiplayer. Updates for additional worlds could expand its scope further in time.
