In 1982, a team of young developers established the game studio UFO Soft. Despite their limited technology, consisting of 8-bit graphics and 32 colors, they showcased the pioneering spirit of gaming during its initial wave of innovation. Over the course of eight years, they released games that were both ingenious and eccentric. Now, a collection called “UFO 50” has brought together 50 of their most beloved titles. However, there is one catch – UFO Soft never actually existed.
This delightful experiment in retro gaming and metafiction was conceived by Derek Yu, an American indie developer renowned for his popular platformer “Spelunky.” Yu came up with the idea to compile a series of short arcade games in the style of the 1980s and release them as a single package. He enlisted other indie developers to contribute to this project. To add depth to the collection, he created a fictional game studio called UFO Soft and included snippets about its development history within the digital margins.
Upon opening “UFO 50,” players are greeted with icons representing each individual game. These games span various genres found in arcades during the 1980s – from fighters to shooters, stealth to strategy. Each game possesses its own storyline and progression while being accompanied by catchy chiptune soundtracks and visually stunning psychedelic graphics.
Fans familiar with retro gaming will recognize references from classics like “Streets of Rage,” “Bubble Bobble,” and “Gradius.” However, each title offers unexpected twists that elevate them beyond mere imitations: for example, “Caramel Caramel” combines spaceship shooting with a clever photography mechanic; “Mini & Max” is an endearing platformer where players can alter their size at will; in the inventive adventure game “Mortol,” players must strategically die multiple times using their corpses as stepping stones towards an exit.
While these titles possess distinct NES-era aesthetics, many also incorporate elements inspired by contemporary gaming trends such as Metroidvania mechanics or tower defense influences. Additionally, there are some surprising outliers like “Night Manor,” a genuinely unsettling point-and-click horror adventure; or “Party House,” an eccentric strategy game centered around hosting an unforgettable house party experience.
As a complete package, UFO 50 chronicles rapid technological advancements from rudimentary early games like Barbuta to polished final titles such as Cyber Owls. Although these games may seem relatively simple compared to modern standards, they offer immense pleasure through their focus on experimentation within technical limitations. Ultimately, UFO 50 serves as both a jubilant celebration of early video games’ promises and a gentle reminder about forgotten aspects: joyfulness,
innovation,and boundless possibilities.
