Covered In Bees
Survive the Swarm
Imagine waking up with hundreds of angry bees stuck to your body. You can barely move, your arms are flailing wildly in a comical panic, and you have no idea what is going on. This is the exact situation you find yourself in Covered In Bees, a quirky homebrew title for the Atari 2600 that turns a mundane medical emergency into a frantic video game challenge.
The game was created by Sam Pennington, Alex Scarlata, and Lauren Stukes, who designed a single-screen experience that relies on pure chaos rather than complex mechanics. You do not start with any tools or weapons. Instead, you start covered in bees. The visual of your character flailing their arms in a comical fashion sets the tone immediately: this is not a serious survival horror game, but it is certainly a stressful one.
Your primary objective is straightforward but difficult to execute. You must navigate a single screen field patrolled by bees while trying to locate a specific item, such as an epi-pen. Finding this item is the only way to advance to the next level. However, the path to that item is never clear. The screen is filled with moving targets, and your character's movement is intentionally awkward due to the weight of the insects clinging to you.
Playing Covered In Bees feels like trying to walk through a crowded room while everyone is grabbing at your clothes. The bees are not just background decoration; they are active obstacles that move around the screen, making it hard to predict where it is safe to step. You have to keep an eye on your character's position relative to the swarm while simultaneously scanning the entire screen for that elusive epi-pen.
The challenge lies in the tension between speed and control. If you move too fast, you might run into a bee and take damage or get stuck. If you move too slowly, the bees might surround you completely, leaving you with nowhere to go. The game forces you to make quick decisions about which direction to flail your character toward, often guessing where the safe path might be.
One of the most engaging aspects of this game is its humor. The premise is absurd, and the execution leans into that comedy. Watching your character struggle against the swarm provides a lighthearted break from more traditional platformers or shooters. It is a short, punchy experience that does not take itself too seriously, which makes it easy to jump in for a quick round.
As you progress, the difficulty ramps up slightly. The bees may move faster or cluster in tighter groups, making it harder to find a clear path to the next item. You will need to develop a sense of timing and spatial awareness to avoid getting trapped in corners or against the edges of the screen.
There are no power-ups or special abilities to collect other than the main objective item. This simplicity is part of the game's charm. It strips away unnecessary complexity and focuses entirely on the core loop: find the item, avoid the bees, repeat. The lack of complicated menus or tutorials means you can start playing almost immediately.
If you enjoy games that rely on chaos and humor rather than deep strategy, Covered In Bees offers a unique experience. It is a testament to the creativity of homebrew developers who can take a simple concept and turn it into an entertaining challenge. The game does not try to be realistic; it embraces the absurdity of being covered in insects and turns that premise into a fun, frantic test of reflexes.
Keep your eyes peeled for the epi-pen at all times. It might appear anywhere on the screen, often hidden behind the swarm or near the edges. Patience is key, but so is speed. You need to balance careful movement with the urgency of escaping the hive before you are overwhelmed.
This Atari 2600 homebrew title stands out for its clever use of limited hardware to create a memorable mood. It captures the feeling of panic and confusion in a way that is both frustrating and funny. Whether you are looking for a nostalgic trip back to classic gaming or just want to see what happens when developers get creative with simple sprites, this game delivers a distinct and entertaining experience.
So, gear up for another round of chaotic navigation. The bees are waiting, and the epi-pen is out there somewhere. Good luck finding it before you become part of the swarm yourself. You can also try more Atari 2600 games from the same system.