The Swarm is Coming... (ZX Spectrum)
A downloadable game
Now Free!

The Swarm is Coming - Awarded Crash Smash - Crash Magazine Oct/Nov 2021
Hello Bremner...welcome to Proxima Mining Co.
Since the colonisation of Proxima B in 2112, Humans have been mining Proxima Moon Alpha for the element Proximium.
Scientists have discovered that Proximium has a unique characteristic, being able to distort the space/time continuum.
Proximium has now been incorporated into the first successful experiments with teleportation, enabling small, non-living, items to be transported across space time in seconds. Scientists working at the Moon Base are working hard to improve the capabilities of the first ‘Materializer-ZX’ (Mat-ZX) aiming to get it to a point where humans can be teleported, which they hope will help to rapidly accelerate the colonisation of Proxima B and further human expansion across the galaxy.
You are Bremner, an engineer working at the Moon Base, generally fixing things that the scientists break or lose. One morning you are outside the Moon Base with your senior colleague Mortimer, inspecting some strange mineral deposits that have recently appeared on the surface.
You have a MAT-ZX with you, useful for the canteen to teleport your sandwiches to you...although it makes the cheese taste funny... when you hear the dulcet tones of Lt. Katie Swain in your ear....
Bremner...Bremner...Bremner...
About the game
The game is split across 4 files available in 128K and 48K version. In addition there is a training mission that we recommend you start with to help you get used to the controls and game mechanics.
swarm0-training.tap PROXIMA MINING CO. BASIC TRAINING (Start here!)
swarm1-xxx.tap MISSION 1
swarm2-xxx.tap MISSION 2
swarm3-xxx.tap MISSION 3
swarm4-xxx.tap MISSION 4
Missions 2,3, and 4 require access codes which are granted by successfully completing the prior mission. You can restart any mission using an access code, there are multiple codes dependent on difficulty and your performance.
NEW: Update 2 released 9/11/2021
Pleased to report the 128K version potential issue has been fixed, please download the latest version, includes other improvements & fixes (see the README file in the download for details)
Controls
All keys are re-definable. Default keys:
MOVEMENT: (8-Way directional)
Q -----UP
A -----DOWN
O----- LEFT
P -----RIGHT
K + Q,A,O or P----- STRAFE
Space -----FIRE
1----- WEAPON SELECT (up)
2----- WEAPON SELECT (down)
I----- MAT-ZX Menu (request a supplies teleportation drop)
Also supports Kempston & Sinclair Joysticks (we recommend redfining keys first for the additional keys required that are not supported by single button Spectrum joysticks)
MELEE Rapidly Tap the FIRE key
Should you be caught in a fist-fight the MELEE icon will appear in the weapon slot in the HUD. Rapidly tap the FIRE key to win the fight by filling the MELEE meter beneath the icon
Status | Released |
Rating | Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars (10 total ratings) |
Author | Minilop |
Genre | Action |
Tags | 8-Bit, Retro, Top Down Adventure, Top down shooter, ZX Spectrum |
Average session | About a half-hour |
Inputs | Keyboard, Joystick |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
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Hi, I’m contacting you because I want to make a homebrew tribute USB. I’m collecting as many content creators as possible. I also want to include a profile for each one, with a few details, such as their logo, avatar, name, work completed, projects, etc., so you can see who’s behind their creations.
That profile, along with any material you allow me to upload, will be placed on a USB drive. This will act as a database of creators and their creations, and will be updated as I connect with new people.
The USB I’m thinking of creating will be one of those rubber-type USBs, shaped like a Spectrum computer, something that looks really nice. The idea is that those who contribute material, and if they want to buy one or more, will get it at cost price, and those who just want to buy one, it will cost a little more.
The idea is that if enough are sold, enough to recover the initial investment, the profits that the rest of the USBs could generate will be distributed among the people who have contributed material to the project, via transfer, PayPal, or however possible, even if possible, that the USB will be free. Obviously, you can buy more than one, but only one of them can be free.
It’s not necessary or mandatory to buy the USB, only if you like it or want it.
If you’re interested in this project, you can contact me at this email, flopping@gmail.com. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know and I’ll answer them. Do you think the idea is a good one? Would you like to participate in the project? Let me know. Best regards.
Juan.
Nice game. Our German-language review can be found in our recorded livestream starting at 03:25:36. Subscription to our YouTube or Twitch channel is welcome. 🙂
muy buen juego
Gracias por sus amables comentarios
Great game thank you
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment!
Just purchased to encourage you to make more great games, Thank you. <3
Whoop! consider me encouraged, thanks so much for your support Paul :)
what's the length of the game ?
5 X 48k files. A training tutorial and 4 missions. About 80 screens.
Brilliant game. BRILLIANT.
As mentioned in my "review" on stream this is Alien Breed inspired with Space Hulk Tactical top down elements and it WORKS. Hard as balls and good for it. Really enjoyed, thank you so much for making my life as a retro gamer and retro streamer a pleasure even 30+ years after the fact.
Thanks so much man, really enjoyed your stream, was so gratifying to hear your comments especially when you said it felt like 'top down Doom' as that was exactly what I set out to create...although it mutated with other influences like MGS and obviously Alien Breed. I also got a bunch of ideas from watching you play that I will put into the update.
Hi Minilop, is there a demo to publish your game ? Thanks in advance.
Email me minilopretro@gmail.com
Congrats man, great game
Thanks so much
Hurrah! Huge game! Excited to play it 'for real' :)
Keep doing what you're doing!
QS =D
Thanks Sheepy!