Alien City Blitz is a game written by Roger D. Burge and published by Binary Zone PD for the Commodore 64. Released as part of the public domain software scene, the game is a top-down shooter set in a futuristic alien city. Players control a spacecraft tasked with navigating through the city, destroying enemy targets, and avoiding obstacles. The game features a simple yet challenging gameplay loop, with players required to balance offense and defense while maneuvering through tight spaces.
The visuals of Alien City Blitz are typical of early Commodore 64 games, utilizing the system's limited graphical capabilities to create a sci-fi atmosphere. The alien city is depicted with blocky, colorful structures, and the player's spacecraft is a small, agile sprite. Enemy designs are minimalistic, reflecting the constraints of the hardware. The game's soundtrack, if present, would likely consist of basic chiptune melodies or sound effects, common for public domain titles of the era.
Gameplay revolves around clearing waves of enemies while navigating the city's maze-like layout. The player must destroy specific targets to progress, with enemies becoming more aggressive as the game advances. The controls are straightforward, using the joystick for movement and a single button for firing. The difficulty increases as players advance, with faster enemies and more complex level designs.
Alien City Blitz is a product of the public domain scene, which allowed independent developers to distribute their work freely. Binary Zone PD, the publisher, was known for releasing a variety of Commodore 64 games and utilities through this model. The game reflects the creativity and experimentation of hobbyist programmers during the 1980s, offering a simple but engaging experience for players of the time.