The Plague

The Plague is a side-scrolling run-and-gun platformer set in a bleak, apocalyptic future where monsters and aliens have overrun the world . You control a muscular, Conan-like hero armed with a machine gun, who must fight through hordes of enemies to complete each level . The gameplay involves running, jumping, shooting, and climbing ropes, with a variety of power-ups to collect, including different weapons and bombs for emergencies . The enemies range from giant flies and eyeballs to spear-throwing creatures that attack in set patterns . At the end of each level, a large guardian boss must be defeated . The game is also known for a unique feature: if you achieve a high score, you can paint a banner for the start of the third level .

Amiga

Released in 1990 by Innerprise and developed by Critical Design, The Plague is remembered for its enormous, colourful sprites and impressive visuals that pushed the Amiga's hardware . The music was composed by Ron Klaren . However, critical reception was mixed. While some praised the graphics and the generally responsive controls , the game was widely criticized for its extreme difficulty, often attributed to pixel-perfect jumping requirements, poor collision detection, and frustrating level design . Many reviewers found the gameplay repetitive, as enemies lack artificial intelligence and follow predictable patterns, leading to boredom after a short time . The game's outdated mechanics and one-way scrolling were also noted as flaws . The Plague received an average rating of 70/100 from some editorial reviews, but is often cited as a title that fell short of its potential .