Bio Menace

Infobox VG| title = Bio Menace


developer = Apogee Software
publisher = Apogee Software
designer = Jim Norwood
engine = "Commander Keen" engine"
released = August 3, 1993
genre = Run and gun/platform
modes = Single player
ratings = OFLC: G8+
platforms = MS-DOS
media = 3 1/2 floppy disk
requirements =
input = keyboard, joystick

"Bio Menace" is a 2D, side-scrolling, platform game both developed and published by Apogee Software in 1993 for MS-DOS. It was built on a licensed version of id Software's "Commander Keen" game engine, and was known as "Bio Hazard" during production. Apart from the engine, all in-game content was created by the game's designer, Jim Norwood.

The player controls the protagonist, Snake Logan, a top CIA operative. Upon receiving reports of Metro City being invaded by mutants, Snake is ordered to fly recon over the city. However, after crash landing in Metro City, Snake is forced to complete his mission on foot.

The game has three episodes, the first of which was released as shareware, the rest being available commercially. The episodes are:

* Episode 1 - Dr. Mangle's Lab
* Episode 2 - The Hidden Lab
* Episode 3 - Master Cain

Sales of the game were discontinued in 2000 due to problems with more modern operating systems.

Apogee released the game as freeware on December 23, 2005 as a "Christmas present" and the full game can be downloaded from the Apogee website. It is not unlikely that this decision was made due to the results of an earlier poll on the 3D Realms forums, where visitors could pick a game they would like to see released as freeware from a list of discontinued Apogee games. See also list of commercial games released as freeware.

Gameplay

The basic goal of "Bio Menace" is to control the main character Snake Logan through the levels of each episode; rescuing the hostage and reaching the exit, or killing a boss monster and reaching the exit. Most levels require Logan to pick up items such as keycards to access new areas, and ultimately, the exit. The levels are also full of monsters that can be shot and killed, or avoided. Logan also has the opportunity to collect bonus items to increase his overall score.

Snake Logan's default weapon is a gun that shoots regular bullets, but this can be upgraded to shoot different projectiles by collecting various power-ups. Logan can also use hand grenades, found throughout the levels, to kill monsters. He also has access to secret maneuvers that have effects varying from a shield surrounding Snake to a powerful green beam. Monsters have varying amounts of hit points, therefore some require more hits than others in order to be killed. Another interesting point is some monsters cannot be killed at certain intervals, or with certain weapons.

Logan only has a limited amount of health (8 units on easy mode, or 4 on medium or hard mode) that decreases as Logan takes damage from monsters. He dies if this health bar reaches zero. When Logan dies he is returned to the beginning of the level, or the midway beacon if he found it in the level before dying. Snake has only a limited number of lives, and if he runs out the player must start the episode over again. The player can save the game at any time and place.

Items

* Machine Gun - Gives Logan 90 shots that can be shot more rapidly than the default weapon.
* Super Bullets - More powerful bullets that inflict 5 times the damage regular bullets do. They can kill monsters in fewer hits than the default weapon.
* Plasma bolts - Turns's Logan's gun into an energy weapon that can kill most monsters in one hit.
* Green Grenade - Grenade that is thrown and explodes on contact.
* Red Grenade - Incendiary grenade which explodes on contact, or creates a fire which spits fireballs and moves in the direction the grenade was thrown.

* Land Mines - Mines that can be set on the ground. These explode when a monster walks over them.
* Shard - These act as keys that open important areas in the game.
* Keycard - Turns off beams that prevent Logan from passing them.
* Keys - Regular keys that open doors that often contain bonus items.
* Exit Key - Turns off the beam that prevents Logan from accessing the exit. Acquired from the level hostage or boss.
* Special Key - Opens a special door.
* Gems - Red gems that bestow Snake an extra life when he collects 50.
* First Aid Kit - Restores Logan to maximum health.
* Invincibility Potion - renders Logan immune to monsters and their missiles for a brief period of time.
* Secret Level Gem - Gem that gives Logan points and access to the secret level.
* 1-Up - A mini-Snake Logan that gives Logan one extra life.
* Bonus Items - Found mostly in doors that give Logan extra points.

ecret levels

All three episodes contain secret levels that can be accessed by collecting the secret level gems, which are usually well hidden in the levels. These levels allow Snake to collect large amounts of bonus items, gems, and 1-Ups. Snake can still die in these levels, because most of them contain monsters and other various dangers.

Though not a secret level, there is an Easter egg in episode two. In the 10th level, "Specimens Lab", you can enter a "Secret Door" and meet the programmers running the game "Behind the scenes". In exchange for you not telling anyone, they let you grab some goodies from their storeroom, which is filled with various items from Apogee's Bio Menace, Duke Nukem and Commander Keen. If you attempt to attack them, they will shoot back at you.

External links

* [http://www.3drealms.com/menace/ Bio Menace] - Official page, including download of the game
*
* [http://www.chat-paradise.co.uk/shrine/idexshrine.html Bio Menace Shrine] - Detailed info on the game