Description

"Area 51" for the Sega Saturn is a light gun shooter video game originally released in 1995, depicting a scenario straight out of UFO lore. Set within the secretive and storied boundaries of the U.S. military base, Area 51, players are cast in the roles of elite special agents tasked with containing an outbreak of aliens who have taken over the facility. The goal is to shoot through waves of alien attackers and infected base personnel, working towards uncovering the source of the alien invasion. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the Sega Saturn version supports the use of light guns (like the Virtua Gun), though it can also be played with a standard controller.

The game was notable for its use of digitized video technology, which incorporated real actors and actual physical environments into its graphics, a technique popularized in the early 90s by games like "Mortal Kombat." This gave "Area 51" a distinctively realistic and cinematic feel, setting it apart from other arcade-style shooters of the time. Developed by Mesa Logic for Atari Games, it was one of the first arcade games to be converted to home systems that faithfully retained the excitement and pace of the arcade experience. Its popularity in arcades was significant, leading to its successful ports to several home consoles, including the Sega Saturn, and it has since been recognized as one of the influential classics in the light gun shooter genre. The game also included hidden gameplay features and alternate routes that could be unlocked, adding elements of strategy and replay value beyond the straightforward shooting mechanics.

Gameplay

Area 51 - Gameplay

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