Current version:Game Boy (GB)
Heiankyo Alien

Heiankyo Alien

Heiankyo Alien is a Game Boy action game released in 1990 developed by Live Planning. It centers on puzzle, maze, or device solving, movement and immediate actions, and enemy and hazard responses, with controls, information, and pacing arranged around a monochrome small screen, a directional pad, and two main action buttons.

AI score · out of 10
7.8 / 10
View review
My list

Reading your list from this browser…

About this game

Heiankyo Alien is a Game Boy action release centered on puzzle, maze, or device solving, movement and immediate actions, and enemy and hazard responses. Stages build pressure through routes, enemy patterns, and changing objectives, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make its immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on campaign length or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Readable animation, hits, and hazards determine whether feedback remains dependable, while silhouettes, contrast, and audio cues need to remain clear on the monochrome display. The main genre-specific friction is that period-specific collision rules, limited guidance, and repeated ground after failure can raise the entry barrier. In addition, password or battery saves, link-cable requirements, display blur, manual dependence, and regional language can affect use of the original cartridge today. This description covers only this release and excludes emulator features, modern-port conveniences, and content from other platforms.

Recommended games

Related game recommendations on this platform

Game Boy (GB)

AI review

AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:

7.8 / 10Game Boy (GB)

A compact and tense trap-setting chase.

The New Version mode of Game Boy Heiankyo Alien turns ancient streets into a compact tactical maze. Instead of shooting pursuers directly, you prepare holes, lure aliens into them and refill the traps before they escape. Other aliens can rescue a trapped companion, while the final survivor speeds up, keeping positioning important throughout an attempt. A digs and B fills, but an incomplete hole cannot finish the job, so stopping at the wrong moment can be more dangerous than continuing to run. Expressive sprites and Japanese-flavoured music give the tension a playful identity. Short rounds fit spare moments well. The penalty is that dying resets every enemy, making a near-complete stage painful to repeat. It suits players who enjoy mastering positions and preparations, rather than those looking for extensive story or persistent growth.

Strengths

  • Tense trap timing and enemy interaction
  • Expressive sprites and distinctive music

Weaknesses

  • Deaths reset the full stage
  • Focused, limited structural variety

Who it is for: Fans of short maze chases and trap planning.

Play notes: Primarily evaluates the GB New Version; digging and filling take time.

View scoring basis
DimensionReview stateScoreWeight
Dimension

Short attempts suit handheld play, though deaths repeat completed work.

Reviewed6.8 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Digging, filling and enemy rescues create tense positioning.

Reviewed8.0 / 10Not provided
Dimension

New-mode sprites and music give the small maze strong personality.

Reviewed8.4 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Digging and filling are clear, but their completion time requires learning.

Reviewed7.8 / 10Not provided

Review sources

Not provided

Core information

Developer
Live Planning
Publisher
Meldac
Release date
1990
Platforms
Game Boy (GB)
Content kind
Game
Release state
Released
Region
Worldwide
Official website
Not provided
Offline minimum players
Not provided
Offline maximum players
Not provided
Online minimum players
Not provided
Online maximum players
Not provided
Tags
Puzzle SolvingPlatformingFast-pacedReal-time CombatReplayableLinear LevelsSolo-friendlySide-scrollingDodgeMain Story Under 10 Hours2D Graphics
Supported game languages
Not provided
Requires base game
Not provided
Standalone
Not provided
Age ratings
Not provided
Play modes
Single playerMultiplayer
Perspectives
Not provided

Release editions

Sources

Not provided