Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold is a 1993 first-person shooter developed by JAM Productions and published by Apogee Software. Released on December 3, 1993, for PC (DOS), it was built on an enhanced, heavily modified version of the Wolfenstein 3D engine. Despite introducing several major technical and gameplay innovations to the genre, the game is famously known as a “victim of timing,” having been released exactly one week before id Software revolutionized the industry with the launch of Doom.

Core Story

Set in the 22nd century, you play as British Intelligence agent Robert Joseph “Blake” Stone. Your mission is to infiltrate the heavily guarded facilities of the S.T.A.R. (Scientific and Technical Advanced Research) Institute to stop the brilliant but megalomaniacal geneticist, Dr. Pyrus Goldfire. Dr. Goldfire plans to overthrow Earth’s government and enslave humanity using an army of specially trained human conscripts, genetically engineered mutants, and hostile alien species. Over the course of six distinct episodes, Blake must navigate Goldfire’s secret installations, sabotage his operations, and repeatedly face off against the mad scientist himself.

Gameplay and Features

While it looked similar to Wolfenstein 3D, Blake Stone introduced a wealth of new mechanics that made it a much deeper and more interactive experience:

• Engine Upgrades: It was one of the first games of its kind to feature textured floors and ceilings (whereas Wolfenstein used solid, flat colors), significantly improving the visual atmosphere.
• Friendly NPCs: Not everyone in the facility is an enemy. Players encounter friendly “Informant” scientists who can be spoken to for hints, ammunition, and tokens. Accidentally (or purposefully) shooting them negatively impacts your score at the end of the level.
• Vending Machines: You can collect food tokens scattered around the maps and spend them at futuristic food dispensers to replenish your health.
• The Auto-Map: To solve the notorious “maze-wandering” frustration of early shooters, the game introduced a highly useful mini-map that players could bring up to see explored areas and locate missing doors.
• Complex Level Design: Levels feature one-way doors, teleporters, hidden rooms behind pushable walls, and multiple colored keycards (gold, green, yellow, blue, and red) needed to progress via the main elevators.

PC Version

Originally released as a shareware title for MS-DOS, the PC version was the definitive way to experience the game. Today, running the original game requires a DOS emulator like DOSBox. However, the modern retro-community has kept the game alive through excellent source ports (like the BStone port), which allow the game to run natively on modern operating systems with high-resolution scaling, updated control schemes (like modern WASD and mouse-look), and improved audio. The game is also readily available on digital storefronts like Steam and GOG.

Console Versions

Unlike its contemporary Wolfenstein 3D or the later Doom, Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold never received official home console ports during its era. It remained strictly a home computer experience, though it did see later releases for macOS and the Amiga. Today, console players can only really experience it through unofficial homebrew ports on modded hardware or via emulation.

Quick Note

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold is a phenomenal, colorful retro shooter that perfectly bridges the gap between the simplistic maze-crawling of Wolfenstein 3D and the frantic, demonic action of Doom.

In short: If you are a fan of “boomer shooters” and want to experience a fascinating, feature-rich piece of FPS history—complete with sci-fi espionage, laser pistols, and friendly scientists—Agent Stone’s mission is well worth playing today.