Altered Beast
Altered Beast | |
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Sega System 16 |
Altered Beast
The game was developed by
Altered Beast's arcade release and its various ports have all received mixed reviews, mainly targeting the game's gameplay and graphics. The game has been re-released several times for various consoles and as part of video game compilations, and two sequels to the game have been developed.
Gameplay
Altered Beast is a
The game's premise is that Neff, ruler of the underworld, captures the goddess Athena. Angry, her father, the Olympian god Zeus, decides to choose a champion to save her. Respecting the bravery of Roman Centurions, Zeus resurrects one of them and empowers him as a champion. The game's player character is the resurrected Roman Centurion, given extra power by Zeus so they can battle Neff and his supernatural minions.[7] In the original arcade game, the end credits include the revelation that the whole game actually depicted a staged film production.[8]
Whenever a player defeats a white
Development
Altered Beast was developed by
One of Uchida's goals was to create flashy visuals that would surprise players, so he asked his lead artist to focus just on the player character's transformation sequences for one month. Additionally, he and his team used the
There were planned features for the game that Uchida did not have the opportunity to implement, namely a pressure-sensitive button. Discussions took place but a deal could not be reached with the owner of the patent of the pressure-sensitive device over the small number to be ordered. The failure to secure the button meant that half of the planned character actions had to be removed. Uchida claims that the reduced complexity of the game caused by this caused players to tire of Altered Beast quickly. Despite this, Uchida was proud of the reactions he was getting from players during play testing.[7]
Releases
Released in June 1988,
In addition to the Genesis and Master System, Altered Beast was ported to several platforms, including for PC Engine, PC Engine-CD, Famicom, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Amiga. Several of the conversions for European systems were completed by Activision. Certain differences are seen between the several versions of the game. Some of them, like the Master System version, were missing levels. Others provided additional beasts to mutate into, such as a humanoid lion, shark, and phoenix forms seen in the Famicom version, ported by Asmik.[7]
The Genesis version is included in the compilations
Reception
Aggregator | Score | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer and Video Games | 69%[25] | 68%[25] | 60%[27] | 87%[26] | ||
HobbyConsolas | 45%[28] | |||||
The Games Machine (UK) | 69%[32] | Positive[29] | 70%[32] | 43%[31] | 87%[30] | 60%[32] |
Commodore User | 7/10[33] | |||||
GamesPreview (DK) | 43%[34] | |||||
PowerPlay (DE) | 17%[35] | 53%[35] | ||||
Sega Power | [36] | [36] | ||||
Sega Pro | 68%[37] | |||||
S: The Sega Magazine | 53%[38] | |||||
VideoGame (BR) | [39] |
In Japan, Altered Beast was the second highest-grossing arcade game of the month in July 1988.[40]
Upon its initial arcade release, Altered Beast received mixed reviews. Commodore User called it "a clever game, and well worth a few tens of anybody's money."[33] Computer and Video Games criticized the game's plot as being unoriginal and the graphics as "large and clumsily drawn".[2] Your Sinclair stated the game was "not recommended to those that are still living".[41] By contrast, Crash called the graphics "nifty" and suggested that despite the repetitive plot, the gameplay is compelling.[42] The Games Machine offered a positive review, stating that while the game is not highly visual like Out Run or Space Harrier, the gameplay makes the game worth a play.[29]
The various ports of Altered Beast received more mixed reviews. The Games Machine gave the Mega Drive version a positive review on the faithful arcade conversion.
Julian Rignall of Computer and Video Games criticized the Master System version, stating that while he is a fan of the arcade version, the reduced graphics, slow gameplay of the port, and fussy collision detection are significant issues.[27] Contrary to their praise for the Mega Drive port, The Games Machine called the Master System version "a middling conversion of a nice coin-op".[31] Electronic Gaming Monthly was more positive, claiming the game "does a good job of capturing most of the familiar play mechanics of its arcade cousin."[9] Sega Pro called the Master System version "a shame, since the Mega Drive version was a great success."[37] S: The Sega Magazine stated that there are better arcade conversions on the Master System and that Altered Beast, while having a passable soundtrack, suffers from poor animation and control issues.[38]
Mega placed the game at #10 in their list of the 10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time.[43] Its re-release for the Wii's Virtual Console was given a lukewarm reception by GameSpot and IGN, describing the game as merely decent with some nostalgic value.[44][45] The Xbox Live Arcade re-release was even described by IGN as a "relic of the arcade heyday that just doesn't hold up today".[46]
Legacy
Video game journalist Ken Horowitz stated that video gamers identify the "rise from your grave" opening from the game, whether they are fans of Sega's games or not. According to Horowitz, Altered Beast's biggest attraction is its charm, which was reduced in the modifications to the game's Genesis port, and has called the game "one of the more memorable concepts Sega conceived."[8] Uchida has expressed surprise over the sustained popularity around his arcade games, stating "When I occasionally visit videogame arcades in the US, I still see people playing my Altered Beast and Golden Axe games. It proves to me that, if the game is good, people will still pay good money to play it."[7]
Sequels
Altered Beast has received two sequels. Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms, developed by 3d6 Games and published by THQ, is a 2002 sequel for Game Boy Advance in the style of the original arcade game. It adds new features like power-ups and beast forms, as well as 15 levels.[47] While the graphics are improved compared to the original game, the scrolling mechanic remains the same.[7] A PlayStation 2 title known as Jūōki: Project Altered Beast in Japan and Altered Beast in Europe was released by Sega in 2005.[7] It was planned for a North American release as well, but was later cancelled.[48] Rather than serving as a sequel to the original game, the newer title features a more modern setting that is unconnected to the original game, with a darker and more violent tone. Uchida advised on the project, and stated, "We really couldn't steer away from the violence aspect. The American marketing side was cheering us on, so we did it as best we could." The 2005 Altered Beast received mixed reviews for its camera system and poor graphics.[7]
In 2014, Sega announced a partnership with Evan Cholfin for film and TV projects based on their games.[49] Altered Beast was announced as an animated project in 2016.[50]
Popular culture
Altered Beast has been referenced in other media. In 1993,
The line "Rise from your grave"[52] is in the intro of The Last Podcast on the Left.[citation needed]
Competition
On October 31, 2019, ZeeGee_ of New York achieved the world record for fastest speedrun at 6 minutes 10 seconds on the Sega Genesis,[53] while thu_ox placed second with 6 minutes 12 seconds on the Nintendo Wii. Apostle Studios achieved the world record of highest score with 6,621,500 on the Sega Genesis, while Samuel Clemens of California placed second with 1,008,300 points on July 19, 2022, on the PlayStation 4.[54][55] As of 2022[update], Guinness World Records does not recognize records of Altered Beast.
See also
- Alien Storm – 1990 video game
- Die Hard Arcade – 1997 video game
- Bloody Roar – a 1997 series of 3D fighting games
Notes
- ^ Jūōki (獣王記, "Beast King's Chronicle")
References
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- ^ EMAP. p. 106.
- ^ "Altered Beast (Registration Number PA0000370979)". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ AllGame. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ AllGame. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ AllGame. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bevan, Mike (January 2014). "The Making Of: Altered Beast". Retro Gamer. No. 124. Imagine Publishing. pp. 46–49.
- ^ ISBN 9781476631967.
- ^ a b "Altered Beast - Top Secret!". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 2. July 1989. p. 67.
- ^ ISBN 9780957576810.
- ^ Fahs, Travis (April 21, 2009). "IGN Presents the History of SEGA". IGN. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (November 22, 2006). "Sega Genesis Collection Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
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- NintendoLife. Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ "Altered Beast". Microsoft. June 10, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ "Altered Beast on PS3". Playstation.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ Donlan, Christian (June 21, 2017). "Sega's back catalogue is headed to mobile with Sega Forever". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- NintendoLife. Archivedfrom the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ SEGA. "Genesis Mini". genesismini.sega.com. Archived from the original on 2019-08-17. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ "SEGA Genesis Switch Online adds five new games for December 2021". Nintendo Everything. December 16, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-17. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- CBS Interactive. Archived from the originalon 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Scotford, Laurence (November 1989). "Altered Beast (Amiga Version)". ACE. No. 26. p. 64.
- ^ a b "Console Wars". ACE. No. 26 (November 1989). October 1989. p. 144.
- ^ Computer + Video Games. No. 96. p. 80.
- ^ "Complete Games Guide" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
- ^ a b Rignell, Julian (May 1989). "Mean Machines". Computer and Video Games. No. 91. p. 86.
- Hobby Consolas(in Spanish). No. 6. March 1992. p. 104.
- ^ a b Hogg, Robin (October 1988). "Confrontation: Coin-Op". The Games Machine. No. 12. pp. 30–31.
- ^ a b "Sega Mega Drive: Altered Beast". The Games Machine. No. 19 (June 1989). 18 May 1989. p. 17.
- ^ a b "Altered Beast". The Games Machine. No. 18. May 1989. p. 49.
- ^ a b c d e "Version Updates". The Games Machine. No. 26. January 1990. p. 21.
- ^ a b "Arcades: Altered Beast". Commodore User. No. 60 (September 1988). August 1988. pp. 94–5.
- ^ "Konsol Tests". GamesPreview (in Danish). No. 6. June 1989. p. 48.
- ^ a b "Videospiele". PowerPlay (in German). No. 16. July 1989. p. 54.
- ^ a b c "The Hard Line". Sega Power. No. 23. October 1991. pp. 52–55.
- ^ a b "Sega Software Showdown". Sega Pro. No. 1. November 1991. p. 19.
- ^ a b "Game Test: Altered Beast". S: The Sega Magazine. No. 9. August 1990. p. 12.
- ^ "Sistema Sega Master System". VideoGame (in Portuguese). Vol. 1, no. 3. May 1991. p. 49.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 336. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 July 1988. p. 29.
- ^ "Slots of Fun". Your Sinclair. No. 34. October 1988. p. 103.
- ^ "Arcade Action: Altered Beast". Crash. No. 57. September 1988. p. 77.
- Future Publishing. October 1992. p. 85.
- ^ Kasavin, Greg (2006-11-19). "Altered Beast for Wii Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
- ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (2006-11-19). "Altered Beast for Wii Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
- ^ Hatfield, Daemon (2009-10-09). "Altered Beast for Xbox 360 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
- ^ Harris, Craig (December 12, 2002). "Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ Cook, Chris (2004-11-01). "Sega's Altered Beast Cancelled For The US". GameInformer.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- ^ Graser, Marc (December 11, 2014). "Sega Taps Evan Cholfin to Adapt its Videogames for Films, TV, Digital Platforms (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ McNary, Dave (December 5, 2016). "Sega's 'Altered Beast,' 'Streets of Rage' Games to Be Adapted for Film, TV". Variety. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Christina (September 1995). "King of Pop". Spin. p. 73.
- ^ Rise From Your Grave || Altered Beast (Arcade), retrieved 2023-07-29
- ^ "Beat the Game (Single Player)". Speedrun. Elo Entertainment Inc. Archived from the original on 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
- ^ "Altered Beast: Highest Score (Sega Genesis Classics)". Video Games Records. Archived from the original on 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
- ^ "Altered Beast for Genesis". Recordsetter. Archived from the original on 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
External links
- Altered Beast at the Killer List of Videogames
- Altered Beast at MobyGames
- Altered Beast at SpectrumComputing.co.uk