A história que você está procurando talvez seja " Demônios Espaciais "?
Parece que atinge o período de tempo correto, inclui ser sugado para o jogo, ter que salvar pessoas e evitar que os monstros do jogo sobrevivam. Veja abaixo um resumo da Wikipedia:
The main four characters in the book are Andrew Hayford, Ben Challis, Elaine Taylor and Mario Ferrone. The plot starts when Andrew's dad brings him an exciting prototype video game from Japan. Andrew, who is a video game enthusiast, shows it to his best friend Ben Challis, who agrees to play the game with him. Later, two other players are introduced to the game: Mario Ferrone and Elaine Taylor. It is later revealed that it is possible to get transported into the game by means of a special gun, which only works when a strong beam of hate is directed at someone. Later on, the four get trapped inside the game and gradually work out the only way to escape and thus win the game is if they conquer their hate.
A capa também tem os alienígenas negros na capa também. Embora eles não sejam excepcionalmente proeminentes.