Bio Menace

Bio Menace is an action platform game developed almost entirely by Jim Norwood and published by Apogee Software in 1993 for DOS only. It became freeware in 2005.

The game utilizes Id Software’s Commander Keen engine and uses roughly the same type of menu system and display. It also features a Mario-esque feature of hitting beacons to start from that point in the level should you die.

Take an early ‘80s action flick plot line (think Escape from New York) about a hero sent by the government to take out some sort of evil bad guy, add some mutants, and throw in a name featuring the word “snake” and you’ve got yourself Bio Menace. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I love early ‘80s action flicks. Playing as Snake Logan you have to take out the evil Dr. Mangle before he can destroy the city. Snake can jump, climb, and kneel, as well as fire his weapon and throw grenades. Snake has to kill various mutants (that explode upon death), while collecting keys to open doors. He must also save hostages to gain the key to the next level. Bio Menace has 3 episodes: Dr. Mangle’s Lab, The Secret Lab, and Master Cain, each with their own set of levels.

At the time it was released, it got a lukewarm reception to say the least. As a 2D game It kind of got overshadowed by all the 3D games of it’s like being released. Bio Menace may not be groundbreaking or earth shattering in any way, but it’s still fun. I feel like Jim Norwood put a lot of work into this one and it’s fun enough to be worth checking out.