Xenon 2: Megablast

Xenon 2: Megablast, released in 1989, is a legendary vertical-scrolling shooter that solidified The Bitmap Brothers as the "rockstars" of the European game development scene.
While it was a massive hit on the Amiga and Atari ST, the DOS version (especially in VGA) was a standout title that proved PCs could handle high-intensity, stylish action.
Before even discussing the gameplay, you have to mention the music. The game features a digitized version of the hit track "Megablast (Hip Hop on Precinct 13)" by Bomb the Bass.
It was one of the first times a real-world pop song was successfully integrated into a video game, giving it an incredibly "cool" and modern feel for the late 80s.
The plot is classic sci-fi: an alien race called the Xenites has planted five time-bombs throughout history. You must pilot the Megablaster starship through five distinct biological and mechanical zones to destroy these bombs. Each level ends with a massive, screen-filling boss (often looking like a giant organic sea creature or a mutated insect) that requires a specific strategy to defeat.
Xenon 2 isn't just a standard "fire and forget" shooter; it introduced mechanics that were quite advanced for the time:
- Reverse Scrolling: Unlike most shooters where the screen moves at a fixed pace, Xenon 2 allows you to reverse the scrolling. If you miss a power-up or get trapped in a tight corner, you can pull back and fly downward to "re-play" that section of the level.
- Crispin’s Swop Shop: Between levels (and sometimes halfway through), you visit a shop run by a grumpy, cigar-chomping alien named Crispin.
You use "credits" collected from destroyed enemies to buy upgrades. You can buy additional cannons, heat-seeking missiles, and the iconic "Nashwan" power-up, which turns your ship into a nearly unstoppable force of destruction. In certain areas, you can dive "under" the scenery to avoid walls or find hidden paths.
The Bitmap Brothers had a very specific aesthetic: highly detailed, metallic, and gritty. The DOS version supported VGA (256 colors), which captured the shimmering, organic-metallic look of the levels perfectly. The sprites are large and detailed, and the explosions were some of the most satisfying in the genre.

What is abandonware ?