Point and Click adventure games are largely unrepresented on Sega’s Dreamcast console. Stupid Invaders from Ubisoft is an attempt to change that situation. In a way that we still hold a soft spot for 2D platformers, Stupid Invaders is like a pleasant blast from the past. The story goes like this, five aliens crash land on Earth and are in hiding while the necessary repairs are carried out on their ship. Suddenly, things go horribly wrong as an evil scientist Dr. Sakarin decides to capture th ... more >>

Point and Click adventure games are largely unrepresented on Sega’s Dreamcast console. Stupid Invaders from Ubisoft is an attempt to change that situation. In a way that we still hold a soft spot for 2D platformers, Stupid Invaders is like a pleasant blast from the past. The story goes like this, five aliens crash land on Earth and are in hiding while the necessary repairs are carried out on their ship. Suddenly, things go horribly wrong as an evil scientist Dr. Sakarin decides to capture the aliens. He sends his bounty hunter, Bolok who encases your four alien friends in a block of ice. You must stop Sakarin and Bolok, save your friends and make it back to your planet.

As one of the later titles for the dying platform, the Dreamcast version of Stupid Invaders looks lovely, even if it is a pre-rendered game. Backgrounds are comical to say the least, but create a wonderful fantasy setting for the game. You must guide your little orange friend through the various locations across the planet that is Earth, and meet a number of strange beings, otherwise known as humans. Progression isn’t made simply through telling your character where to go; you must use the objects and props lying around and make use of them to overcome the obstacles that await you. Should you make it through this taxing game, you’ll be rewarded with some of the greatest and most bizarre comedy ever seen in a video game, or anywhere else for that matter.

The gameplay in Stupid Invaders is decidedly puzzle-based. You wander about the levels looking for items while trying to figure out solutions to immediate problems. For example, at the start of the game you are stuck in the bathroom with Bolok trying to break the door down. There are a couple of items located in the toilet that can be combined together to provide a means of escape. There are some points in the game where you can actually die, so it is important to save often to avoid frustration. If you solve a puzzle correctly you are often rewarded with a comical cut-scene.

If you like figuring out puzzles and fancy something slightly different, this game will appeal to you. Stupid Invaders is also compatible with the Dreamcast mouse for a better control method than using the standard controller. Comedy and puzzles is the essence of Stupid Invaders and that’s no bad thing.
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