AlphaMan

AlphaMan is a video game in the role-playing (rpg) genre originally released in 1995. It is currently playable on DOS.

AlphaMan is a fun freeware 'Roguelike' (i. e. , 100% ASCII-based) game written by Jeff Olson.

It is set in the future of Earth, after a nuclear disaster. Like Electronic Arts' earlier Fountain of Dreams, the player assumes the role of a mutated human struggling to save the planet from annihilation. Instead of fancy items like Rogue's magical artifacts, AlphaMan features technological relics, e. g. high-tech weapons (laser gun, flamethrower, various grenades) and other equipment (protective suits like the anti-radiation suit, a microwave oven, which can be used to ripen berries, and a microcomputer). Like all other Roguelike games, it has an ASCII interface and takes place in a post-holocaust desert.

However, despite its unconventional premise and easy interface, the feel of the game is sparse, lonely, and unfinished. The AI borders on idiotic (it runs towards the player, randomly moving from time to time), and the gameplay in general is shallow: monsters and locations seem to have few distinguishing features, and the plot barely advances. To Olson's credit, AlphaMan presents many user-friendly options that ADOM and NetHack should emulate. The game remembers recent castle and lair levels, so there is no longer a need to reset. For example, most of the falling objects will still be there when you return to an already visited location.

Entering 'AlphaMan somename' will now generate a new character if the saved file somename. alf does not exist. There are separate 'Halls of the Dead' for different difficulty levels, and experience bonuses at the end of the game for each successfully completed 'subquest'. The main map key (F5) shows the regions you have visited (useful for searching for monoliths). In version 1. 1 some new devices have been added: flash grenade, UV helmet, Geiger counter, neutron suit and radar detector.

Overall, however, AlphaMan does not offer gameplay complex enough to keep Roguelike fans satisfied. Recommended if you're new to Roguelike games in general, or want to try Rogue in a futuristic setting. Overall, a decent attempt with inconsistent parts that don't quite gel into an engrossing game. It's worth a look, no doubt, and it's fun for a while . . but don't expect it to be the next NetHack.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.