How to Play
The game with patch 1.2 has been tested on Windows 7 64-bit and Windows 10, works okay. The game supports widescreen. You may encounter some issues while playing, so here's our guide how to play Area 51 on modern systems.
Also, you cannot install the game directly from the original discs on Windows 7 and newer OS, if you want to install the retail version of the game (it released on 1 DVD/3 CDs) - follow this guide on PCGamingWiki. Retail version of the game was protected by infamous StarForce DRM, so don't launch the game right after installation, first install NoCD.
Here's some methods how to install the game other ways:
Install & play guide:
- Download and run Setup. It is installer for the free version that was distributed by US Air Force
- Install the game
- After you installed the game - install the patch 1.2 for US version (the patch is inside the archive)
- Optionally install FOV fix (instructions inside the archive)
- Open the directory with the game and find A51.exe. Right click on A51.exe - Properties - Compatibility - Set "Run this app in compatibility mode with Windows 2000 or XP" and "Run as administrator"
- Launch the game and play. If the game doesn't work - try to launch the game, then open Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del by default) and check for processes A51.exe and rundll32.exe. Close A51.exe but don't touch rundll32.exe (it's a Windows app for running old apps from 32-bit operational systems, most old games running through rundll32.exe). Now try to launch the game again, it must work. Don't forget to close rundll32.exe process in Task Manager after finishing playing
Notes:
- That way you will get clean game without any fixes. Alternatevily, you can run the Full-Rip (it is already pre-installed game). Full-Rip was created by Archive.org user LividBunny, please visit this page for more details
- It is highly recommended to install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for the correct work of the game
- Also it is recommended to install RAD Video Tools and K-Lite Codec Pack for the correct work of in-game videos
- The game works on DirectX 9, so if you're using Windows 8, 8.1, 10 or 11 - you need to enable DirectPlay: Go to Control Panel, and select 'Programs'. Select 'Turn Windows features on and off', click on 'Legacy Components' and check the box 'DirectPlay'. Select OK, once the installation is done, restart your computer
- By default the game has FOV = 60, you can change it by using FOV fix. Simply copy files from the archive to main game directory, then open Settings.ini and set desired FOV
- On some systems lighting will be broken and all textures will be black. This is a DirectX 9 issue, use WineD3D or dgVoodoo to fix it. For more details check PCGamingWiki
- The game doesn't have FPS cap, which can result in broken in-game physics if the game runs on more than 60 FPS. You need to limit game's framerate, there's 2 methods to do that:
- Install an app that allows to limit the framerate, like RTSS or Bandicam, read this guide for framerate limit utilities
- If you're using dgVoodoo 2.75 or later version - open dgVoodoo.conf with Notepad and find the line FPSLimit = 0. Change "0" to "60" to limit the game's framerate to 60 FPS
- Don't forget to check PCGamingWiki page if you have troubles, it is very useful
Install & play guide for Project Dreamland:
- Download Project Dreamland from our page
- Unzip the archive and launch Area51-Launcher.exe
- If the launcher doesn't work and stuck in an endless loop verifying the game's files, do the next: go to
Project Dreamland/resources/app/game folder and create desktop shortcut for A51.exe. Then click right mouse button on that shortcut, select Properties and add following launch parameter: --launcher (it should looks like Project Dreamland/resources/app/game/A51.exe --launcher )
Notes:
- Project Dreamland is using dgVoodoo to make the game work on modern systems without troubles. If you want you can change dgVoodoo settings in dgVoodooCpl.exe, it is located in
Project Dreamland/resources/app/game folder - Project Dreamland already has 60 FPS limit, the framerate was capped through dgVoodoo
- Visit GitHub page and ModDB for more information about Project Dreamland
Install & play guide for Area 51 Preservation Project is available on author's website. Also, check this Reddit thread for more details
Note: Area 51 Preservation Project is using DirectX 9 wrappers that also required Vulkan API installed. If you don't have it - download it from here(click on "Latest Runtime/Zip"). Also, if you have laptop with integrated AMD graphics - you may experience some troubles. In that case use dgVoodoo wrapper instead of Preservation Project wrappers
Area 51 installer created by Area 51 Online community can be downloaded on Itch.io, that version is the best if you want to play in multiplayer. For more information visit Area 51 Online community website or their Discord server
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Comments and reviews
the moment you start transitioning to an alien is one the most memorable moment ever
ich kan im spiel nicht richtig springen !!! manchmal drüke ich merfach die lertaste und der springt nur einmal!!! was ist das???
For some reason cutscenes still keep stuttering even when i force the game to run in a single core, if someone know a fix i will post it in pcgamingwiki
Here’s the archive.org for the Magipack versions of Blacksite and Area-51
https://archive.org/details/area-51-dylogy
الكائنات الفضائيه ايلون ماسك على الكمبيوتر
You should put the correct link for the Magipack repack here:https://www.magipack.games/area-51-2005/.
Everything runs OK for me but I have problem with CGI cutscenes. No intro was played at the beginnig and I'm unable to play it even from Extras in the menu.
Is there any fix for it?
None of these downloads work fully, you can launch the game and start it but all the textures are black once you launch the game so you cannot really see anything.
EL AREA51 PARA MI EUNO DE LOJUEGUOS MAS CHIDOS PORQUE AY ECUENTRAS TODO SOBRE TECNOLLOGIA ALIENIGENA ADEMAS DE$
Like our friend RugalB88 2024-07-27 :::
It's unplayable on Win 11... The textures are black. I've installed the DirectX 9 Wrappers, but when the game start, the screen is white and I'm forced to close the game from the task manager...
The 'RIP version' is fully working and this is a great game! Thanks MYAB.
Just go for the MagiPack repack instead. Its clean and works a treat.
https://www.magipack.games/2023/03/area-51-2005-full-game-repack-download.html
Project Dreamland contains uds:Trojan.win32 within Area51Logic.dll. As flagged by Kaspersky. Instantly deleted.
It's unplayable on Win 11... The textures are black. I've installed the DirectX 9 Wrappers, but when the game start, the screen is white and I'm forced to close the game from the task manager...
I ran the Setup, patch, and FOV fix options, but the game doesn't even start up. The icon appears for 1 second on the task bar and disappears. I've tried it multiple times with different Windows XP Service packs and in administrator mode, but each time it does the same thing.
Just finished a play thru with Magipack version. Everything went great!
Well, apparently the source code of this game ended up getting leaked. They did storm area 51 after all...
Hi!
I try to play online with my friend i've download the project dreamland but it try to connect on gamespy does anyone help me with that ?
Alternative download:
https://www.magipack.games/2023/03/area-51-2005-full-game-repack-download.html
The Project Dreamland installer got flagged by my Windows Security
A Trojan:HTML/Phish.JSHB.
THANK YOU MYABANDONWARE. One of the best games of its time. it was really fun to play it a couple of times. Only thing is it had a little less horror elements and more arcade or shooting elements. you can hold 2 same or different guns in both hands and feel overpowered. MUST PLAY for all fan of video games - shooting and horror.
Works on Windows 10 22H2 BUT it lags like hell. Like, from the slideshow cutscenes, to in-game cutscenes and gameplay - everything lags big time. And I have tried different compatibility modes and some stuff from PC Gaming Wiki, but nothing helps but only makes it worse. So yeah, wish I could play this game, because this is my favorite game from back in the days, but it does not work properly.
I need a tutorial video on how to safely combine project dreamland and the preservation project.
Also the Ethan cole slideshow cutscenes' audio keeps looping after each sentence and my frame rate keeps dipping at times. How do I fix that?
I got into the game now. Fov resets after the 2nd cutscene is there a way to keep the fov intact?
my game crashes everytime I created a new campaign...
Hello.... first off all thank you for your work, brilliant work, can ask i ask u the Project Dreamland game includ all Game Extras what u have here at download area?
i ask u if i must to download some extras from u to apply or this have already everything applied.... thank for your response in advance
Now this is a piece of nostalgia I didn't even know I had
When I start playing, the game appears dark, without light. I have Windows 11 and an RX 6500 XT.
Can't get Project Dreamland to start
It has the "Verifying Files.." loop and "A51.exe --launcher" to shortcut won't do anything.
HavE yOU SeeN bOinIS CidE Moen
Thanks for the Project Dreamland download. It works perfectly on Win10 (Feb 2023)!
Project Dreamland is pre-installed Area 51 with some fixes. It includes full game and doesn't require the disc for launch. You can just download it & run
I want to ask 2 things:-
1- Setup below project dreamland is the DRM free setup?
2- Does project dreamland have base game or only mod?
Thank you
We have updated the game, added DRM-free Setup and Full-Rip, plus Project Dreamland and Area 51 Preservation Project patch that should help you to run the game on modern systems.
We made a big guide how to install & play the game on modern machines, please don't forget to check it out.
P.S. We recommend you not to try to install retail version (it released on 3 CDs/1 DVD) if you don't have experience with StarForce DRM; StarForce DRM doesn't work on Windows 7 and newer OS and can break your PC
To set italan language, edit the file LangConfig.ini, and substitute
English=1
with
Italian=1
Never install this for any reason whatsoever, I did and I had to reinstall windows.
Game runs fine, missing a few cutscenes most notably the last one but the game is fun
Windows 10 x64 funcionando tranquilo.
Pra funcionar, fiz o passo a passo do "F0XTR0X": Abrir o prompt de comando, digitar a letra do "disco" (no meu caso, a ISO foi montada na F) seguido de dois pontos e dá enter. Fica: F:
Depois digitar o comando: msiexec /i "area 51(R).msi" /qb
Depois pesquisei no Google mesmo o patch que o "GVM/2K9-UCREST" falou: (patch version 1.1.89007).
Na instalação deu erro na hora de substituir o A51.exe na pasta do game. Eu abrir o arquivo do patch pelo WinRAR, extrai o A51.exe do patch e substituir manualmente na pasta origem onde o game está instalado. Após isso, funcionou perfeito!
Game wont start and it keeps saying I need windows 95 in order to run the game
beck_454 vc tem que achar dois braços e usar os dois ao mesmo tempo, eu acho que é isso, faz muito tempo que joguei
@YOUNG GAMER, In the case of the Starforce protection of the game, the latest official patch (patch version 1.1.89007) must be applied. This patch also makes the retail version DRM-Free. Regarding the interruption when installing, you can use this patch by following the instructions given in the link: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/profile/6098-ucrest/?status=82&type=status
* It is important to note that this patch is for the 1DVD version. In any case, the first thing to do is to mount the disc image and then run the patch. Select the installation language and wait for the process to finish. Finally, the update patch (patch version 1.1.89007) is downloaded and the game is no longer protected by Starforce and DRM-Free.
To play the game now. Just download from ModDB free version of the game, and latest patch for retail version and extract patch content into free version.
A truly excellent game. First time through, very spooky and challenging. One of the best ever, I hope you enjoy it too
The ISO version 1.8 GB uses Starforce protection
Downloaded the ISO version 1.84 GB,but installer says it was interrupted,and game does not install.
The No Install version has no cutscenes.
olá boa noite esse jogo área 51 naquela fase em que ele tem pegar o braço do soldado morto pra abrir a porta, fica bugando não abre tentem me ajudar com bug por favor.
obrigado
This game brings back so many memories. it was certainly ahead of its time. As a child I didn't as much attention as I could have to the story but now I have the opportunity to relive this gem and get to know the "lore" if you will. The no install version seems to work fine for me even the jump function works as it should. I wish this had been more popular than it was.
Why no audio on the No install version? I played this game on PS2 as a child and sucked ass but I really want to get farther into it. Pls help :(
I share two links:
- The DVD image of the videogame ( https://archive.org/details/a-51-pcdvd-disk_efigs ).
and...
- The patch to install the video game in 64bits Windows systems ( https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/profile/6098-ucrest/ ).
Tested on Windows7, 8, 8.1 and 10 x64.
I remember enjoying this one more than the Blacksite : Area 51 successor.
Great website!
Very good horror sci fi shooter! With David Duchovni!
For people having trouble getting the ISO to install:
With Area 51 Disc 1 in the cd\dvd drive, open a command prompt window. Type in the letter of the drive, followed by a colon and press Enter. You should now have a prompt starting with the drive letter.
Type in the following command line and press Enter:msiexec /i "area 51(R).msi" /qb
Also I had to change the compatibility mode to Win XP SP2.
Hope this helps someone.
anyone having trouble with jumping. its because of framerate. have to lock it or physics in game are messed up.
the jump command doesn't really work
Its a pretty awesome game, but the jump command doesn't really work that well.
it wont install !! the setup fails and it says that it was interrupted, i have windows 10 x64 what should i do please?
Personally, it would be just as good if someone were to post the sequel, BlackSite here as well.
I kan't instal from WinRaR
Giocato sulla PS2
This game was like the movie Terminator 2. Way ahead of it's time. A very good shooter, exciting and smooth running. This might also be the most realistic game that describes the actual Area 51. I honestly do not have anything negative to say about it.
it's good game but fov is bad gives me a headache.
Some of the cutscenes are not working, the intro, the outro... all the cutscene that does not use the in-game ressources
Loved this game as a kid, had rented it on ps2 and it was just fun to play through.
Having a framerate in excess of 100fps breaks your ability to jump. Find some way to force 60fps to fix it.
I got the no install version, for some reason the jump action refuses to work? i can't get past a part because I can't jump. anyone have a fix on this?
I remember playing this in 2007 as a 6-year-old and my older brother was spooked of it. We revisited it years later, as our younger selves didn't get far into it past the mutagen part, and I have to say it holds up nicely. The game is rather difficult at times but is nonetheless an experience.
Is this the game where Marilyn Manson voices an alien?
This review refers to the No Installation version.
Area 51 is a FPS gem from 2005 that features high quality graphics and superb audio even when run on PCs with no video card. The visuals are realistic and enhance the game's immersion. Combined with its intense sound design, the results are exciting and creepy. One can hear mutants and other nasty bots stalking you through the corridors. Unlike most single player games, your squad's bots are fun to be alongside and useful during the many high energy fights through the underground facility. The campaign is therefore like a series of multiplayer matches. Best of all, Area 51 is a sci-fi and light horror title that combines the thrill of early shooters with the realism of Halo but with graphics that are respectable to this day.
The installer doesn't work, it gives the message that it was interrupted, but it happens as soon as you click the Install button and nothing has even started to install.
When I try to install the files, it does not seem to work?
Pretty good game. I have it on OG Xbox.
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.