Alien Hominid
Encyclopedia
Alien Hominid 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 a high definition version titled Alien Hominid HD was released on Xbox Live Arcade
on February 28, 2007.
, where one hit instantly kills, and can be played simultaneously with one or two players. Players play as the titular hominid who has to fend off waves of secret agents. His main arsenal is a blaster, while players can also melee close-up enemies and use a limited amount of grenades. Advanced moves include rolling under shots, jumping on and biting off enemies heads, temporarily scaring other enemies, and digging underground and dragging enemies down with them. Players can collect a variety of power-ups which simultaneously give players extra grenades, a shield and unique ammo. Players can also drive vehicles, ride on top of a monster and pilot a UFO. Completing certain tasks will unlock hats the players can dress their Hominid in. The main game features sixteen stages spread across three areas, Urban, Russia and Area-51. Outside of the main game, there are three multiplayer modes; Challenge, Neutron Ball and Pinata Boss, a PDA game, featuring around 200 levels and a level editor, and a retro minigame, Super Soviet Missile Mastar. The PAL version contains an extra mode, All You Can Eat, while the PDA level editor is absent from the XBLA version.
in August 2002. It is often referred to as the Alien Hominid "prototype" by The Behemoth. Inspired by side-scrolling shooter games such as Metal Slug
, the flash game features a little yellow alien who has crash landed on Earth and must fight through hordes of FBI trying to capture him. The game consisted of one level containing two bosses, who would later reappear in the retail version. It became very popular among the online gaming set and has currently been played over 19 million times. 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, even offering to produce the game. Paladin and Fulp agreed, forming The Behemoth
. In the course of two years, Alien Hominid became a much larger project than its online prototype. While 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. 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".
, 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.
, using a lance weapon based on his ray gun. He is playable to anyone who has also downloaded Alien Hominid HD on the XBLA version, while he is unlocked by completing said level on the PlayStation Network version of the game. The green eyeball from an early boss fight also appears as an Animal Orb, firing lasers at enemies. Hominid appears as a playable character in the XBLA version of Team Meat's Super Meat Boy
, another game that originated as a flash game on Newgrounds. The Super Soviet Missile Mastar minigame from Alien Hominid was released as a free app for iOS on February 7, 2011.
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
video game released for Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
in 2004 through publisher O~3 Entertainment
O~3 Entertainment
O3 Entertainment was a licensed American third-party video game publisher for Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft video game platforms including the Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox, and Xbox 360...
. A PAL
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
version was later released during May 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
through ZOO Digital Publishing
ZOO Digital Group
ZOO Digital Group Plc is a provider of creative media services and software for the film industry. The business works with major film studios to deliver creative media for printed materials and audio-visual content...
. A Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
version (co-developed by Tuna Technologies
Tuna Technologies
Tuna Technologies is an independent games development company founded in 1996 by programmers Alex Amsel and Mark Fitt, specialising in creating games across a range of home computer and games console systems....
) has also been released in Europe. The game was developed by The Behemoth
The Behemoth
The Behemoth is a video game development company that was created in 2002 by John Baez, artist Dan Paladin , and programmers Tom Fulp , Brandon LaCava, and Nick Dryburgh. Dryburgh later left the company. The Behemoth development studio is located in San Diego, California...
. The Xbox version is not compatible with the Xbox's successor, the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, but a high definition version titled Alien Hominid HD was released on Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
on February 28, 2007.
Gameplay
The game is a side-scrolling shooter in a similar vein to games like Metal SlugMetal Slug
is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform developed by Nazca Corporation and published by SNK. It was originally released in 1996 for the MVS arcade platform. The game is widely known for its sense of humor, fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action...
, where one hit instantly kills, and can be played simultaneously with one or two players. Players play as the titular hominid who has to fend off waves of secret agents. His main arsenal is a blaster, while players can also melee close-up enemies and use a limited amount of grenades. Advanced moves include rolling under shots, jumping on and biting off enemies heads, temporarily scaring other enemies, and digging underground and dragging enemies down with them. Players can collect a variety of power-ups which simultaneously give players extra grenades, a shield and unique ammo. Players can also drive vehicles, ride on top of a monster and pilot a UFO. Completing certain tasks will unlock hats the players can dress their Hominid in. The main game features sixteen stages spread across three areas, Urban, Russia and Area-51. Outside of the main game, there are three multiplayer modes; Challenge, Neutron Ball and Pinata Boss, a PDA game, featuring around 200 levels and a level editor, and a retro minigame, Super Soviet Missile Mastar. The PAL version contains an extra mode, All You Can Eat, while the PDA level editor is absent from the XBLA version.
Differences between U.S. and European releases
When the PAL version was developed for Europe in 2005, a number of new features were added.- 14:914:914:9 is a compromise aspect ratio of 1.56:1. It is used to create an acceptable picture on both 4:3 and 16:9 televisions, conceived following audience tests conducted by the BBC...
aspect ratioAspect ratioThe aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,...
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 rewind" function was added to single-player allowing play at any point in a level.
- 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. This idea was later re-used in The Behemoth's next game, Castle CrashersCastle CrashersCastle Crashers is a beat 'em up console video game independently developed by The Behemoth and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It features music created by members of Newgrounds. The Xbox 360 version was released on August 27, 2008 via Xbox Live Arcade as part of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade...
, under the title, "All you can quaff". - A glitch in level 3-5 that allowed a player to get massive amounts of points was removed.
Development
Alien Hominid began as a flash game developed by programmer Tom Fulp and animator Dan Paladin, which was released on NewgroundsNewgrounds
Newgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. Founded on July 6, 1995 by Tom Fulp, the site primarily hosts Adobe Flash animations and games, but also features a music-oriented page, along with an art portal...
in August 2002. It is often referred to as the Alien Hominid "prototype" by The Behemoth. Inspired by side-scrolling shooter games such as Metal Slug
Metal Slug
is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform developed by Nazca Corporation and published by SNK. It was originally released in 1996 for the MVS arcade platform. The game is widely known for its sense of humor, fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action...
, the flash game features a little yellow alien who has crash landed on Earth and must fight through hordes of FBI trying to capture him. The game consisted of one level containing two bosses, who would later reappear in the retail version. It became very popular among the online gaming set and has currently been played over 19 million times. 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, even offering to produce the game. Paladin and Fulp agreed, forming The Behemoth
The Behemoth
The Behemoth is a video game development company that was created in 2002 by John Baez, artist Dan Paladin , and programmers Tom Fulp , Brandon LaCava, and Nick Dryburgh. Dryburgh later left the company. The Behemoth development studio is located in San Diego, California...
. In the course of two years, Alien Hominid became a much larger project than its online prototype. While 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. 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".
Press
Even before its release, Alien Hominid received notice in gaming magazines such as Play, GMRGMR (magazine)
GMR was a monthly magazine on video games that was published by Ziff-Davis — the publisher of such magazines as PC Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and Computer Gaming World . GMR was launched in February 2003, being sold in only the Electronics Boutique chain of video game stores...
, Edge
Edge (magazine)
Edge is a multi-format computer and video game magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. It is known for its industry contacts, editorial stance, distinctive anonymous third-person writing style, yearly awards and longevity....
, Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, 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
Independent Games Festival
The Independent Games Festival is an annual festival at the Game Developers Conference, the largest annual gathering of the indie video game industry. It was founded in 1998 to assist and inspire innovation in video game development and to recognize the best independent video game developers...
(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
Mega64
Mega64 is a low-budget series of comedy skits centered on video games.-Premise:In the not too distant future, a sinister scientist named Dr. Poque creates the most powerful video game console ever assembled...
on June 3, 2008.
Legacy
Hominid appears during one of the levels in The Behemoth's 2nd game, Castle CrashersCastle Crashers
Castle Crashers is a beat 'em up console video game independently developed by The Behemoth and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It features music created by members of Newgrounds. The Xbox 360 version was released on August 27, 2008 via Xbox Live Arcade as part of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade...
, using a lance weapon based on his ray gun. He is playable to anyone who has also downloaded Alien Hominid HD on the XBLA version, while he is unlocked by completing said level on the PlayStation Network version of the game. The green eyeball from an early boss fight also appears as an Animal Orb, firing lasers at enemies. Hominid appears as a playable character in the XBLA version of Team Meat's Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy is an independent video game designed by Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes and developed by Team Meat. It is the successor to McMillen and Jonathan McEntee's October 2008 flash game Meat Boy. Super Meat Boy was released on the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade in October 2010, on...
, another game that originated as a flash game on Newgrounds. The Super Soviet Missile Mastar minigame from Alien Hominid was released as a free app for iOS on February 7, 2011.
Reception
|}- GamespotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
- 8.4/10 - GameSpyGameSpyGameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
- 3.5/5 - GameZoneGameZoneGameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
- 8/10 - Game RevolutionGame RevolutionGame Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
- B- - IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- 8.1/10 - Official PlayStation 2 MagazinePlayStation Official Magazine (UK)The Official UK PlayStation Magazine is a now-defunct magazine, launched in November 1995 to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation console. It ran for 108 issues, with the last hitting news stands in March 2004. The first issue sold 37,000 copies...
(UK) - 7/10 - X-PlayX-PlayX-Play is a TV program about video games, known for its reviews and comedy skits...
(Alien Hominid HD) - 4/5