Exolon
1987
- shooter
- platform
- action
- science fiction
- single player
The story
Exolon is a classic side-scrolling action game developed by Hewson Consultants and released in 1987 for various 8-bit home computer platforms. Players control Vitorc, a space marine equipped with an armored exoskeleton suit, as he navigates through 125 screens of hostile alien terrain. The game's core gameplay revolves around precise shooting, strategic grenade use, and skillful maneuvering to overcome a relentless array of enemies and environmental hazards. Known for its high difficulty level, Exolon challenges players with fast-paced action that demands quick reflexes and careful planning. What sets Exolon apart is its distinctive visual style, which pushed the graphical boundaries of 8-bit computers in its era. The game features detailed sprites and backgrounds that create a unique sci-fi atmosphere, complemented by a pulsing soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience. This combination of challenging gameplay, striking visuals, and atmospheric audio helped Exolon stand out in the late 1980s gaming landscape, earning it a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts. Despite its simple premise, the game's intense action and memorable presentation have secured its place as a notable title in the history of side-scrolling shooters.
What it’s like
Hard-edged sprites and flip-screen rooms of cold blue and grey alien caverns, each one snapping into place with a jolt rather than sliding smoothly, so the world feels like a sequence of stark, self-contained chambers. The soundtrack is a sparse electronic pulse that rises under the blasts and grenade thumps. The vibe is tense, mechanical isolation: a lone armoured figure pushing through an endless hostile maze under a constant clock of threat. Pacing is brisk and unforgiving, with short bursts of shooting, careful ledge-hopping and sudden deaths that send you back to the start of the screen. Violence is abstract and bloodless, all sparks, explosions and enemies dissolving into pixels, with no gore and no sexual content. The main feeling is frustration mixed with the satisfaction of a hard-won room. It suits a late evening session at a retro setup, or anyone who wants a demanding arcade challenge with a stark, lonely sci-fi look. It is best for players who enjoy memorising patterns and learning from repeated failure.
More games like Exolon
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Exolonand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
