If you grew up during the time when personal computer games were predominantly available on discs, the experience of UFO 50 will likely resonate with you. Many remember their childhood when parents purchased collections of CD-ROMs that included anywhere from 50 to over 100 games. These were complete games, often released years earlier, yet still enjoyable. Excitement filled the air as I inserted the disc, but it quickly morphed into anxiety. The vast selection was overwhelming! I recall acquiring a Sega collection that featured several titles from the Genesis era, such as Comix Zone and Altered Beast. With so many options, I felt uncertain about where to start. Once I made a choice, the thought lingered—were there better games to explore instead? Was I wasting my time?
UFO 50: A Reflection of Modern Overload
UFO 50 serves as a metaphor for our adult lives filled with choices. Platforms like Netflix offer more viewing options than we could ever watch, while Spotify provides an endless stream of music. Similarly, gaming services such as Game Pass and PS Plus present an overwhelming array of games to choose from. In today’s market, it seems we live amidst an abundance of content available at a low monthly fee, much more than we can realistically enjoy. However, UFO 50 transcends this model. Each of the 50 games has been meticulously crafted by adept developers and arranged in a manner that ensures a seamless experience from one game to the next. Unlike the Sega CD-ROM I once owned, which featured a hodgepodge of games from various studios, UFO 50 represents a cohesive vision, as its fictional developers thoughtfully considered their legacy before launching the collection.
Nostalgia Meets Stress in UFO 50
Playing UFO 50 evokes a sense of nostalgia, but this does not diminish the pressure of the vast selection. My journey began with Barbuta, UFO Soft’s first offering and one I had seen gameplay footage of before purchasing the collection. In this platformer, players take on the role of a daring explorer navigating a trap-filled castle. If you perish, you respawn from a speckled egg, but after five deaths, it’s game over. I enjoyed my time with Barbuta, relishing the exploration—until a ghost reminiscent of Spelunky appeared to claim my egg-lives. Yet, as I played, thoughts of the other 49 games nagged at me. Should I really be investing so much time in just this one?
Discovering My Favorite Game
After a few moments, I switched to Ninpek, another platformer, but one that leaned into a faster, infinite runner style, unlike any game from the early ’80s. According to the Steam page, the developers aimed to create an entertaining and unexpected experience for modern players, choosing to move beyond traditional genres and design norms. This approach proved effective. While I found Ninpek enjoyable, its rapid pace resulted in numerous deaths within a short span. I grasped the concept quickly and moved on. After a brief stint with Paint Chase, a game that merges elements of Pac-Man and Splatoon, I returned to the second title in UFO Soft’s fictional lineup, Bug Hunter. This game quickly became my favorite; it’s a tactical experience reminiscent of Into the Breach focused on exterminating bugs. I invested a full hour into it, while others only held my interest for a few minutes. At last, I felt the stress dissipate. It reminded me of my past experiences with that Sega collection. Eventually, while exploring, I rediscovered Shining Force, a strategy RPG from the Genesis era that I cherished. I spent countless hours on the PC version and even purchased the Game Boy Advance remake. The essence of the collection was not merely about introducing me to 100 games that I would complete and enjoy equally, but rather to help me discover one or two gems that I would truly love. Everything else was just a bonus. Although I have many more titles in UFO 50 to explore, Bug Hunter has become my Shining Force—a standout amidst the offerings.
My Enthusiasm for UFO 50
As the title suggests, I can’t recommend UFO 50 enough—it’s a must-play!
