Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold is a 1993 first-person shooter from JAM Productions, published by Apogee for DOS. It uses an enhanced version of the Wolfenstein 3D engine.

Gameplay

In the year 2140, British Intelligence agent Robert Wills Stone III, better known as Blake Stone, is sent to stop Dr. Pyrus Goldfire. Goldfire’s STAR organisation is creating alien mutants in six secret facilities, funded by his ability to replicate gold.

Compared with Wolfenstein 3D, it adds a lot: textured floors and ceilings, lighting, and friendly characters.

• Episodes: Six episodes of 11 levels each.
• Informants: Friendly scientists who give hints, items or ammo.
• Keycards: Coloured keycards open locked areas.
• Automap: Added after players got lost in Wolfenstein 3D.
• Weapons: Five weapons, from an auto-charge pistol to a plasma discharge unit.
• Ratings: A score system rates how thoroughly you finish each level.

The sci-fi setting and the Informants give it more character than Wolfenstein, but the levels are long and mazy, and the mutants repetitive.

Critics were positive, and Computer Gaming World called it “a high quality, first person blast-fest”. But it came out a week before Doom, which buried it.

Verdict

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold is a polished, enjoyable shooter that improved on Wolfenstein 3D in many ways. It was overshadowed by Doom, but it’s still a solid game for retro FPS fans.