Official Score
Overall - 50%
50%
Foreign Frugglers is a barebones package that just can’t dethrone Space Invaders. The gameplay is inoffensive, but what is present here is nothing too out of the ordinary.
The aliens have come out to play in Ultimo Games’ new title Foreign Frugglers. Can these four heroes save the day, or is this throwback to Space Invaders a losing battle?
Foreign Frugglers Review
Players will be able to step into the shoes of Juan, Sylvia, Johnny, and Jennifer in this arcade-like title. There’s no plot here to make things confusing – just a bunch of aliens that need to be destroyed, a number of weapon power-ups, and unlimited ammo. The ultimate goal? Take down these threats without becoming fruggled in the process.
Using a vertical format, players will fire upward in a style similar to Space Invaders. Alien patterns are similar, with most foes scurrying from side to side, dropping blasts down on all would-be heroes. There are some wrinkles to the formula though – some aliens drop bombs, giant aliens take multiple hits to take down, and there’s even a boss waiting for players at the end of it all. There is also the occasional shield power-up that can be nabbed, which provides temporary relief through all alien fire.
Despite all of this, it is all stuff players have seen before. Though players can jump as the hero and pick up weapons like shotguns, rifles, and machine guns, it feels all too familiar. There’s even conveniently placed cover that can be shot through to be a makeshift shield. The aliens and aesthetics that make up this world are inoffensive, but fail to make a lasting impression in the process. It’s not bad, mind you, but it doesn’t have the same impact as the title and works it was inspired by.
Players will fight their way through five different waves, completing the game and saving humanity after the fifth wave is over. All of the action of this title takes place in the same area, with no alternative backgrounds to speak of. Though there are achievements and a local leaderboard, a successful playthrough proves to be a bit on the short side. Players are given four lives (which are signified by each of the survivors), and there is not too much of a learning curve. The lack of online leaderboards or co-op play in its current state is sorely lacking, and greatly affects its replay value.
Unfortunately there’s not a lot here to keep people coming back. Players can adjust their display by going with different filters (including CRT), tweaking the pixel scale, and changing the palette, but these are purely cosmetic choices. As the options state, more play modes will be added later, so what you see right now is what you get.
Foreign Frugglers is a barebones package that just can’t dethrone Space Invaders. The gameplay is inoffensive, but what is present here is nothing too out of the ordinary.
