Xenic

In 2090 the Global Union Organisation has replaced the United Nations. The organisation aspires the highest level of prosperity possible for humankind; and with success: in 2195 all diseases on earth are cured, poverty is gone and breakthroughs in science are made. This is noticed by an unknown race of the planet Morzique who admire humankind's progress. Both planets start an alliance: the United Planetary Nations.

In 2257 many other planets have joined but things have changed for the worse. The Morziqians are the leading power in the United Planetary Nations and population of humankind has grown explosively resulting in mass race revolts on Earth. When a small group of human rebellions also succeed in a mission to Mars and claim that planet as their property, Earth is placed under custody by the Morziqians.

Towards the end of the twenty-third century, Morziqians are intimidating leaders from Earth and a large Morziqian strikefleet is heading towards our blue planet. For once, the races on Earth stop their mutual battles and prepare for the ultimate war. The era of chaos has begun.

Xenic places you in a ZX-G Firefly Type F fighter. Viewed from slightly above and behind the spaceship, the camera scrolls into a 3-D environment in all directions. There are seven levels to negotiate situated above huge crowded cities on earth, earth's oceans, space and on the futuristic world of Morzique. A striking feature is the fighter cannot collide with the backgrounds. This is a good thing, though, as from the word go Morzique spaceships fly into the screen from all directions and fire at you at an alarming rate. Luckily, you have three types of weapon at your disposal: standard fire, three smart bombs, and by holding down the fire- and smart bomb-keys simultaneously, a laser beam. Certain destroyed ships leave behind three types of power-ups: mint-coloured orbs add 10% energy to your energy bar, green orbs gain 100 points and red orbs gain 200 points. Finally, at the end of a level a huge end-of-level boss awaits and needs to be put to rest.

When a level is finished, gained points can be spent in the expansion-screen. Here you can upgrade to more powerful weapons and bombs or to better spacecraft like the Krma Griffin, ARN 23 Reaper, 0F4A Aurora, OZM Hell Driver or OM Hidride. Choose wisely, as the choice of weapon and ship heavily influence your success in the next level.

The game can be played by one or two players, using keyboard only. It is possible to save the game between levels.