| Alien Hominid |
Alien Hominid box art on the Nintendo GameCube. |
| Developer(s) |
The Behemoth
Tuna Technologies (Game Boy Advance version) |
| Publisher(s) |
O3 Entertainment (North America)
Zoo Digital Publishing (Europe) |
| Designer(s) |
Dan Paladin, Tom Fulp |
| Aspect ratio |
1080i 16:9 (HDTV) (Xbox 360 only)
480p 5:4 (EDTV) (Progressive scan holding X+O on game starting)
480i 5:4 (SDTV)
576i 14:9 (PAL version) |
| Platform(s) |
North America and Europe
PC (Flash Game) PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360 (XBLA)
North America only
Nintendo GameCube
Europe only
Xbox, Game Boy Advance
|
| Release date(s) |
PC (Flash Game)
NA August 7, 2002
PlayStation 2
NA November 18, 2004
EU May, 2005
Nintendo GameCube
NA November 18, 2004
Xbox
EU May, 2005
Game Boy Advance
EU February 3, 2006
Xbox 360 (XBLA)
NA February 28, 2007
|
| Genre(s) |
Run and gun |
| Mode(s) |
1-2 Player (main game/minigames), 1-4 Player (PDA Game) |
| Rating(s) |
ESRB: Teen (T)
OFLC: M15
PEGI: 12+
|
Alien Hominid (released as Alien Hominid HD on Xbox 360) is an independently developed console video game released for Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube in 2004 through publisher O~3 Entertainment. A PAL version was later released during May 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox through ZOO Digital Publishing. A Game Boy Advance version (co-developed by Tuna Technologies) has also been released in Europe. The game was developed by The Behemoth. The Xbox version is not compatible with the Xbox's successor, the Xbox 360, but was made available for download on February 28, 2007 on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 points.[1]
Origin of Alien Hominid
Alien Hominid began on the popular Adobe Flash website, Newgrounds, in August, 2002. It is often referred to as the Alien Hominid "prototype" by The Behemoth. The online version was programmed by Tom Fulp, who owns Newgrounds; while the 2D artwork was done by Dan Paladin (who also goes by the online alias "Synj"). This game features a little yellow alien who has been shot down by the FBI and crash-landed on the Earth, and must retrieve its now stolen spacecraft from the FBI. The gameplay involved quick reflexes and a basic side-scrolling formula while a player controls the alien and defeats FBI agents and their creations. Side-scrolling gameplay such as this has been made popular by video games such as Metal Slug (a title with which it is frequently compared to by critics and fans). Though only one stage of the online game was produced, it became very popular among the online gaming set, featuring over 18 million views on Newgrounds alone.
Later in the year, then-co-worker John Baez approached Paladin as a fan of Alien Hominid. He suggested that Paladin and Fulp make a console version of the game. Baez even offered to produce the game. Paladin and Fulp agreed, forming The Behemoth.
The game
In the course of two years, Alien Hominid became a much larger project than its online prototype. Whilst 3D graphics were considered initially, The Behemoth decided nothing compared to the traditional 2D stylings of the prototype. The art of Paladin, who drew all visual aspects of the game by hand, became much more refined (though still cartoon-like and inviting). The project was entirely re-coded for consoles, and many new gameplay features were created. The final product contained sixteen stages (set in three different locations)Urban, Russia and Area-51; Area-51 consists of the final boss. There are hundreds of enemies and numerous bosses. Six minigames were also added, the "PDA Game," with 200 different levels and a level editor, "All You Can Eat", "Super Soviet Missile Mastar", "Challenge", "Neutron Ball" and "Pinata Boss". Matt Harwood of Petrified Productions, who had previously worked with Paladin, created all of the music for the game. DJH has been credited with extensive play-testing, citing Alien Hominid as "the pinnacle of arcade entertainment".
PDA mini game
By using the Alien's PDA, a mini game can be played. This mini game is reminiscent of early platform games like Pitfall or Super Mario Bros.. The graphics are presented as simplistic monochromatic designs, but the animation is fluid. The player must guide a stick figure character to the end of the level, each level being only one screen large. The player(s) must traverse around blocks of many shapes and sizes and defeat all of the enemies in the level and then travel to the exit. The game has 200 levels and a level editor (the level editor was removed in the XBLA version, and the number of levels was reduced to 50 with several level packs for sale). The player has many moves at his or her disposal, such as jumping, double-jumping, pushing rocks and boats, riding in the boats, and killing himself to start the level over. The minigame also has several environmental hazards such as spikes, crumbling floors, and water. It is possible to play this PDA game with up to four players simultaneously. Additionally, the game was modified for the PAL release (see Differences between U.S. and European release).
Press
Even before its release, Alien Hominid received notice in gaming magazines such as Play, GMR, Edge, Dragon, and even popular non-gaming magazines such as Wired. In reviews for the game, it was critically acclaimed for its old-school style gameplay, tough level of difficulty, and quirky humor. The game also won many small awards, most notably at the Independent Games Festival (for Innovation In Visual Arts, Technical Excellence and the Audience Award).
Copies of the game are sold primarily through its online website, www.alienhominid.com, for ten dollars (American). The website also offers merchandise such as skate decks, t-shirts and action figures. The website was developed by Tom Fulp.
Alien Hominid became one of the games spoofed by Mega64 on June 3, 2008.[2]
Differences between U.S. and European release
When the PAL version was developed for Europe in 2005, a number of new features were added.
- 14:9 aspect ratio instead of 5:4 (at least on PS2 version)
- 25 levels built by U.S. fans were added to the 200 level PDA Game.
- A "replay" function was added to single-player.
- A brand new 2-4 player mini-game called "All You Can Eat", featuring the Fat Kids, was made exclusively for the PAL version. It is a button masher where you have to eat all of the food in front of you to win.
- A glitch in level 3-5 that allowed a player to get massive amounts of points was removed.
Appearances in other titles
Hominid appears during one of the levels in The Behemoth's 2nd game, Castle Crashers, using a lance weapon based on his ray gun. He is playable to anyone who has also downloaded Alien Hominid HD. The green eyeball from an early boss fight also appears as an Animal Orb, firing lasers at enemies.
Reception
References
External links
