A. E.
     A. E. is an excellent shoot down
the aliens arcade game.  It also was a
game that reminded me that every now
and then it helps to read the
literature which comes with even the
games that one buys.  As I slipped the
disk into the drive, I thought another
typical shoot-em up I can handle that
without looking at instructions.  So
I booted her up and began to play.
For some unknown reason, I couldn't
determine how to make my projectiles
destroy the aliens.  One time they
would fall short and the next time
they would go too far.  Finally,
after almost giving up, I consulted
the documentation (when all else
fails, right.)  There before my very
eyes was the solution to my problem,
the bombs are launched by pressing a
paddle button and are detonated by
releasing the button.  With this
minor part behind me, I returned to
the fray.  The mission here is a
familar one; destroy the aliens to
make the universe safe for humanity.
If any real visitors from other
planets ever decide to visit, I hope
we give them a more cordial reception.
This game has several different levels
and at each level the rays (aliens)
become harder to destroy.  The player
must successfully destroy three waves
before advancing to the next level.
This means killing all of the rays in
the wave.  Of course, points are given
for each ray destroyed.  The player
receives 3 battle stations to begin
with and can add another through
progression to a certain level.
     This game is from Broderbund
and retails for $29.95.  The graphics
are 3-D and are excellently done.
If you are an arcade player who likes
the shoot-em down variety, I advise
you seriously consider adding this
game to collection.
!