Awesome vs Turrican
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Awesome is a 1990 science‑fiction action game from Psygnosis for the Amiga and Atari ST. It blends overhead shooting, Asteroids‑style segments, and a pre‑rendered ray‑traced intro, delivering a diverse arcade experience. The game pits the player against the antagonist John Winner and features music by Tim Wright, with its art by John Harris. Its legacy lives on as an in‑joke in Lemmings, highlighting its cult status among retro gamers.
Turrican is a 1990 side‑scrolling action shooter created by Manfred Trenz and released by Rainbow Arts. Set on the abandoned colony of Alterra, you control a bio‑engineered mutant warrior tasked with destroying hostile lifeforms and the rogue AI MORGUL. The game features vibrant pixel art, a synth‑driven soundtrack, and intense boss battles across multi‑level environments, delivering a classic retro experience that still feels fresh for modern players.
- Diverse gameplay styles keep sessions fresh
- Iconic retro graphics and intro sequence
- Memorable soundtrack by Tim Wright
- Cult classic status with Easter eggs in Lemmings
- Fast‑paced, addictive gameplay.
- Rich variety of weapons and upgrades.
- Challenging boss battles.
- Atmospheric retro graphics and music.
- Limited to single‑player only
- Runs only on legacy hardware (Amiga/Atari ST)
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited to single‑player mode.
- High difficulty may deter casual players.
- Original controls feel dated on modern keyboards.
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Awesome
View all →
Alternatives to Turrican
View all →
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataTurrican offers cheaper, more accessible retro shooter gameplay on modern hardware, while Awesome targets collectors who want a niche, legacy‑hardware experience.
Key differences
- •Price: Turrican $29.99 vs Awesome $49.99.
- •Platform support: Turrican has no legacy‑only restriction; Awesome runs only on Amiga/Atari ST.
- •Content scope: Turrican provides five multi‑level worlds, weapons upgrades, and hidden routes; Awesome focuses on alternating top‑down and vector stages with a single intro sequence.
- •Difficulty: Turrican is explicitly high‑difficulty; Awesome’s difficulty is described only as progressive.
- •Audio/visual emphasis: Turrican highlights a synth soundtrack; Awesome highlights a pre‑rendered ray‑traced intro and artwork by John Harris.
Gameplay & fun factor
Turrican offers five distinct worlds, weapon upgrades, and boss patterns, giving broader play variety than Awesome's limited stage types.
Platform availability
Turrican has no stated legacy‑only requirement, making it usable on modern PCs; Awesome runs only on Amiga/Atari ST.
Price & value
Turrican costs $29.99 versus Awesome's $49.99, delivering more content for less money.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Turrican includes hidden secrets, alternate routes, and weapon upgrades across five worlds; Awesome offers fewer distinct gameplay modes.
Difficulty & accessibility
Awesome’s difficulty is described as progressive, likely gentler than Turrican’s explicitly high difficulty.
Graphics & performance
Awesome features a pre‑rendered ray‑traced intro and celebrated box art, appealing to retro graphics enthusiasts.
Choose Awesome if…
Buyers who own Amiga/Atari ST and value cult‑status graphics and a milder difficulty curve.
Choose Turrican if…
Buyers who want a cheaper, modern‑compatible retro shooter with deep content and challenge.
Common questions
Can I play Awesome on a current Windows PC?
No; Awesome is limited to Amiga and Atari ST hardware.
Which game offers more replay value?
Turrican, with hidden secrets, alternate routes, and weapon upgrades across five worlds.
Is the price difference justified?
Turrican costs $20 less and provides broader content, making it better value for most players.