Sometimes, less is more.
Some games out there do not need all the high production values that go into many mainstream
titles.
If the core gameplay is fun, then everything else is just a bonus.
I buy games to play them, not watch them.
Alien Hominid appears to not have much going for it in terms of production.
It’s graphics are basic and its story is no where to be found but in no way does this
hold the game back from being a great time.
Because what this game does have is great fun gameplay.
The game was born as a online flash game and was as basic as could be but it was fun, and
that’s all that really matters.
And now for its console release, not much has changed and that is a good thing.
You play as a little yellow alien that crashes to Earth and must fight your way through the
hoards of FBI agents and bosses.
Simple, yes.
Effective, also yes.
The game doesn’t need a deep story to be such fun.
Like the great old school games, all you have to know is the two most basic rules of video
games, shoot anything that is not you and move to the right.
Waves of enemies will come at you and you shoot them with your alien ray gun as you
move right.
Bam, Razzle, Kabam, you got yourself an idea.
Throw in a couple challenging bosses battles and shablam, you got yourself a game.
The game might appear to be simple and have no production value, but that really didn’t
the case.
The game has a simplistic graphic style but it is clear by choice.
Everything in the world is detailed in its own little way.
And with things like the FBI agents carrying the sign that reads “Nothing to see hear,”
the game even adds in a good amount of humor.
Another thing the developers were sure to add in was the challenge, and man, this game
has a lot of it.
One hit will kill you, so anticipate dying a lot.
The game can sometimes feel cheap, with a thousand things happening on the screen at
once, you won’t see that one bullet coming at you.
But you have a number of lives, and will restart right where you died.
Like old school games, the only way to learn the level and advance is to die and die and
die some more.
And with each death you learn some new about the enemies until you and flow through the
level, only to have to relearn at the next one.
The action is fast and unforgiving and reminds me of a time when games were not your friends
that held your hand through the scary parts.
The game laughs at your as the repeatedly die and says, “oh is this too tough for
you?
Then go play another game,” then kicks you out and puts up a sign that say “no babies
allowed.”
It is a fun and challenging game that will remind you all too much of Metal Slug.
If that is what you want then go out and find a copy of this, or download the HD version
off XBLA.
It also has a great style that fits into the gameplay very well.
If you are looking for a game that you can relax and play with a smile, then this game
is not for you.
But if you want something that will take your whittle down your teeth as it laughs at you
then Alien Hominid is for you, just don’t expect it to play nice with you.