Abuse

Abuse is a 2D side-scrolling sci-fi shooter developed by Crack Dot Com and published by RedHat in 1995 for DOS and Linux. It eventually made its way onto the Mac, Amiga, Acorn 32-bit, GP2X, and iPhone, to name a few.

In the not so distant future, you take on the role of current maximum security prisoner, Nick Vrenna, who is trying to find a way to escape his confinement. Nick gets his chance when the other inmates cause a riot. However, this prison is of the horrific experiments on humans variety, and the uprising causes an infectious pathogen to be released, making all of the people turn into something a little less human. Now Nick must suit up, grab a weapon, and fight for his survival.

Abuse plays in a run and gun style that puts me in mind of Contra (one of my favorites). Enemies include infected humans, as well as the prison’s active security system featuring robots and laser turrets. There is no set linear gameplay to follow and scads of hidden areas and secrets to find. There are also several weapons to acquire and upgrades hidden around to give you a boost.

Abuse was very well-received when it was released and remained a cult classic of the genre. With a dark, gritty atmosphere and cast of freaky enemies, this is one run-and-gunner that deserves to be revisited.