Alien Hominid HD
- November 1, 2023
- The Behemoth
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreAlien Hominid HD is a fast-paced 2D side-scroller with hand-drawn graphics and intense gameplay. Play as an alien fighting against government agents, using a variety of weapons and abilities. Challenge yourself with three difficulty options and co-op mode, perfect for both casual and hardcore gamers. Experience the humor and excitement that started it all, now available on Steam.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- Alien Hominid HD is a nostalgic and charming game that retains its unique art style and humor, making it a delightful experience for fans of the original.
- The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, reminiscent of classic run-and-gun titles like Metal Slug, providing a rewarding experience for players who enjoy difficult games.
- The remaster offers improved graphics and performance, including support for higher resolutions and framerates, making it a definitive version for both new players and returning fans.
- The game lacks online co-op functionality, which was available in previous versions, limiting multiplayer options to local play only.
- Some players find the difficulty level to be unbalanced, with certain bosses and enemy placements leading to frustrating experiences.
- There are minor changes from the original release that some fans may not appreciate, such as missing music tracks and altered gameplay mechanics.
- graphics48 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of classic Adobe Flash animations, which have aged remarkably well. The remastered version enhances the visuals with higher resolutions and smoother frame rates, making the game feel fresh and modern while retaining its original appeal. Overall, the unique and humorous aesthetic, combined with stable performance, contributes to a visually engaging experience that resonates with both nostalgic players and newcomers.
“The biggest thing that makes this game stand out is definitely the amazing art style, which this remaster improves upon by including higher resolution artwork.”
“The graphics have not aged due to the art style; it feels fresh and as new as ever with the modern tweaks.”
“Cleaned-up visuals still hold up, but I'll always have a soft spot for the hand-drawn originals on console, plus the moves you can pull off are as satisfying as ever.”
“The art style, given that this was the Behemoth’s first console release, is very much reminiscent of Adobe Flash, and I really like it even today.”
“This was an adaptation of a Flash game that made it to consoles in 2004, and not only that, it was an unprecedented 2D game with hand-drawn graphics released in an era where most players were drawn to the greatly accelerating graphical improvements as games slowly got more and more lifelike.”
“That being said, some people may not like that type of art style or gameplay, which is understandable.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, challenging mechanics that blend humor and personality, reminiscent of classic run-and-gun titles like Metal Slug and Mega Man. Players appreciate the snappy movement and tight controls, though some may find the difficulty level daunting, especially compared to other titles from the same developer. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience, with a balance of challenge and enjoyment, enhanced by stable performance and vibrant graphics.
“The gameplay is a nice balance of hard-n-absolute fun.”
“Great platformer with really fun twists and weapons, fantastic gameplay with snappy movement, love it!”
“The gameplay is fast, hard and never lets up.”
“I'll 100% the game but yikes, only get the game if you're a big Behemoth fan and are prepared for gameplay significantly harder than BattleBlock or Castle Crashers.”
“A somewhat short but very challenging Metal Slug/Mega Man-inspired run and gun side-scroller, where at times my skill issue had gotten me frustrated at some of the game's very frantic and fast-paced gameplay.”
“The gameplay is fast, hard, and never lets up.”
- music28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while many players appreciate the soundtrack's charm and its nostalgic ties to previous versions, some feel it lacks memorability and intensity to match the game's fast-paced action. Notably, the soundtrack features the Xbox 360 OST, which is similar to the PS2 version but omits key tracks, leading to disappointment regarding the absence of certain iconic pieces. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, but some fans wish for a more complete and impactful auditory experience.
“The music is impeccable as ever, the art is charming in its simplicity and oozes classical behemoth mastery that I've grown up with on Castle Crashers and BattleBlock Theater.”
“Tight gameplay, amazing soundtrack and overall a fun experience.”
“First and foremost, I would like to say I have fond memories of this game, having played the demo millions of times as a little kid and having listened to the soundtrack for years to come.”
“This means that for people revisiting the game, they will not experience the original space/ending cutscene music from the PS2/GC versions of the game, and other changes from the 360 version will persist in this version of Alien Hominid.”
“However, it uses the Xbox 360 OST which is just like the PS2 version but with a few key songs missing.”
“The ending doesn't hit as it should without the proper ambient song it used to have, neither does 1-5 after you get the speakers for your spaceship.”
- humor21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a funny alien protagonist and a cast of cute, amusing characters, while steering clear of cringe-worthy toilet humor. Players appreciate the blend of humor with engaging combat and nostalgic elements, making it a fun and entertaining experience despite some minor bugs. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the game's personality and enjoyment.
“It's also void of the cringe toilet humor found in most of the Behemoth's games, which is a major plus.”
“Great humor, funny combat, and the Behemoth games' art style.”
“Peak side-scrolling shooter mechanics with humor and personality.”
- story12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of the story aspect, with some players noting a lack of a significant narrative while others appreciate the humor and unique level design that contribute to the overall experience. Despite the absence of a deep storyline, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and enjoyable mini-games, making it a memorable title in the indie genre.
“It includes so many mini-games, cosmetics, and a storyline of unique levels.”
“☐ no story”
“Overall, I love the game, the humor, the mechanics, and of course, the story.”
“Compared to all the early indie games like Gish and Cave Story, this one holds up surprisingly well.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is limited due to its short length and lack of progression, but it offers fun for completionists through hat unlocking and high score challenges. While some players find the fast-paced combat spammy, speedrunning adds a layer of replay value. Overall, it can be enjoyable, especially if purchased on sale.
“The main replayability is to either unlock missing hats (which have no indication on how to unlock, but they aren't obscure enough to really be a big negative) or getting a high score, either by better play or on a higher difficulty.”
“In terms of replay value, there's a ton here for completionists.”
“One thing that I am not a huge fan of is how fast the normal attack can be shot, which can feel extremely spammy and is used a lot in speedruns, which is essentially the main replay value of Alien Hominid.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding in the game can be extremely time-consuming, often requiring significant dedication and strategy to achieve specific milestones. Many recommend utilizing particular levels and safe spots for efficient farming of kills and achievements, indicating that a substantial investment of time is necessary to progress.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“For some more specific achievements, I personally used level 2-1 for Head Chomper, where I camped the outpost, Urban Challenge for Survivalist by staying in cars and charged shooting enemy cars, and camping on top of the first 3-3 computer for Killing Spree, as it is a safe spot for farming 1,000 kills.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is heavily criticized during intense moments, particularly in the chapter 3 boss fight, where an overwhelming number of enemies creates a chaotic environment that detracts from the experience. Players feel that the constant barrage of enemies and the need to manage multiple threats leads to a frustrating and cluttered atmosphere, making it difficult to engage with the game's intended tension and immersion.
“The absolute worst example of this would be the [spoiler]electrical boxes[/spoiler] boss fight in chapter 3, which is a constant flood of troopers parachuting in and shooting at you while you have to deal with shooting the boss's multiple targets (lest you get hit with an unavoidable screen nuke) and keeping the troop numbers to a reasonable level so the atmosphere doesn't fill with 80% lead while you scramble to stop the screen nuke.”
