Check out our review of  Mark of the Deep, another promising national indie game.

Survival, rhythm, and identity in a new dystopia

The protagonist of Alex and the Aliens is a black hero, the last human survivor on Earth, tasked with stopping alien domination through dance, courage, and creativity. The proposal is bold, but the narrative execution stumbles in trying to blend humor and tragedy. The promise of impactful narrative choices does not materialize, creating a sense of disconnect between proposal and delivery.

Fluid gameplay and interesting visuals mark the beginning of the journey, but the excessive comedic movements and high difficulty in hitting enemies end up hindering engagement. The narrative, although ambitious, gets lost in long texts and uneven pacing.

Access the game directly on the  Steam Store for Alex and the Aliens



What are action and adventure games with dance?

Action and adventure games usually combine exploration, combat, and problem-solving. In this case, the differentiator is the use of dance as part of combat — a creative choice that needs adjustments to achieve greater fluidity.

The scenarios are well crafted, and the NPCs bring charm to the game world. There is a clear artistic concern in the design of environments and the protagonist, who stands out among indie characters for their strong presence and striking visuals.

Vibrant visuals and captivating setting

The graphics are well executed for an independent game, with a focus on 3D modeling, lighting effects, and a dynamic camera that allows exploring every detail of the distorted universe of Alex and the Aliens. The animations are simple but effective, and sometimes amusing.

The effort to create a unique visual identity is notable, with elements that allude to both science fiction and Brazilian surrealism, a trait increasingly common in indie games from the country.



Creative mechanics and controls in need of refinement

Gameplay is where the game shines the most — when it works. The combat system with different weapons (sword, arrow, light gun) is fun, requiring precision and synchrony. However, aiming presents challenges, and the lack of a complete settings menu limits the experience.

Basic controls do not allow for audio or brightness customization, impacting accessibility directly. For an indie game, this is a crucial point that deserves attention in future updates.

Electronic music as a soundtrack of resistance

The soundtrack is one of the highlights. With pulsating electronic beats, the game manages to transport the player to a universe where music is also a weapon. Nevertheless, the contrast between the tone of the music and the seriousness of the narrative creates a certain dissonance. A revision in the sound design could better align gameplay and immersion.

We thank Fire Game Studios for providing the access key for review via Steam, enabling this analysis.