Scurge: Hive (PS5) | REVIEW | An Alien Infestation Action Adventure From 2006!!!

Published by Ratalaika Games and Shinyuden, this 2006 Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance original by Orbital Media makes it's way onto modern PlayStation platforms seeking a new audience. In Scurge: Hive we meet the plight and protagonist through textual dialogue, and pixelated cutscenes early on. It seems Jenosa Arma, a bounty hunter for hire, is called to investigate an alien infestation borne from a planet research facility on Inosa. 

On route Jenosa and her AI companion Magellan get boarded by that same alien infestation forcing them to abandon ship and continue their mission on the destination planet. It is here contamination not only manifests in the form of enemy creatures, but also as a biological contagion for Jenosa, depleting her health rapidly once the infection reaches 100% via contact. Regardless of threat her goal remains and that is to gather intel, and return it for payment due.

Sectioned off into numbered excerpts (chapters) laden with heavy dialogue, and intermittent room exploration gated off by puzzles, platforming, and the requirement for key cards Jenosa must carefully navigate, and avoid contact with the alien threat while dealing damage to it with her blaster gauntlet. She has with her newly acquired suit the ability to jump, shoot, and pull objects via grapple tool. This plays into the isometric environment layouts that are mapped out through touchpad map access, and made accessible through met requirements be it switch triggers or key cards. 

As she goes about her mission in this maze-like facility for intel Jenosa must also contend with the aliens in various forms from lesser mobs to static gore, and gargantuan bosses. As contamination takes hold the more Jenosa gets hit in these skirmishes or the more she comes into contact with the red infestation her contamination level rises. Once it reaches 100% health starts depleting and the only remedy is decontamination chambers found across the facility's rooms, some gated by key card access. Something that doubly acts as a save point for progress sake.

The ultimate goal in each and every excerpt is to carefully navigate the interior, seek the intel and key cards as well survive long enough to face off against a boss. This repeats with new lesser enemy threats, new hazards, and more platforming puzzles. All to the tune of three different difficulty settings including NORMAL, HARD, and EXTREME.

For those struggling to complete the game there is a bonus cheat menu available from the start in the settings that allows for things like zero contamination. This makes it possible to see the game through to the end, and to unlock the bonus modes and features that are unlocked through progress. Additionally there's a gallery that includes art and booklet screenshots from the original release. Beyond that things like screen adjustment, visual filters, and audio options are available for the tweaking. 

The Presentation ...

Surprisingly for a NDS and GBA port this modern re-release actually looks like effort was made to make it PS4 and PS5 compatible. As jarring as movement might be onscreen at times the game looks impressive for a handheld game playing out on the big screen. It is pixel prominent by design, and filled with some impressive sprite work. Even the cutscenes look current indie worthy by comparison. The isometric design, and 3D animations breathe life into the gory and partially sanitized interior of Inosa's research facility. The type written text can get annoying, but the sci-fi friendly soundtrack overshadows this minor issue.

The Verdict ...

Though brutally challenging, and not exactly perfect in the way of twin stick shooting, Scurge: Hive does well enough to bring the alien infestation sub-genre to a new light. It's a game that most likely missed the first go around, but can thankfully pick up for cheap with added bonuses for the PS4 or PS5. It's a game that won't break the bank, and will offer something unique in a world of copycat ideas. The visual upscaling is perfect and the presentation settings, icing on the cake. If you like Metroid or games like Alien Syndrome on the PC this is the perfect pick for you!!!