Altered Beast (1988)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Altered Beast: Unleashing the Power of Transformation

Released in arcades in 1988 and later ported to the Sega Genesis, Altered Beast is a side-scrolling beat ’em up that captured the imaginations of gamers with its groundbreaking graphics, intense action, and innovative gameplay mechanic: the ability to transform into a variety of powerful beasts.

Story

Altered Beast is set in ancient Greece, where the evil demon god Neff has kidnapped Athena, the daughter of Zeus. Zeus calls upon a fallen warrior to rise from the dead and rescue Athena. The warrior is granted the power to transform into five different beasts: a wolf, a bear, a tiger, a dragon, and a golden wolf.

Gameplay

Altered Beast is a side-scrolling beat ’em up in which the player controls the warrior as he fights his way through hordes of undead monsters, demons, and other creatures. The warrior can use his fists, feet, and weapons to defeat his enemies.

The game’s unique feature is the ability to transform into five different beasts. Each beast has its own unique abilities and strengths. The wolf is fast and agile, the bear is strong and powerful, the tiger is balanced and versatile, the dragon can fly and breathe fire, and the golden wolf is the most powerful of all.

To transform into a beast, the player must first collect spirit balls. Spirit balls are dropped by defeated enemies. Once the player has collected enough spirit balls, they can press a button to transform into the corresponding beast.

The beasts are much more powerful than the warrior’s normal form, and they can be used to defeat more powerful enemies. However, the beasts can only be used for a limited time. Once the time limit expires, the warrior will revert to his normal form.

Graphics and Sound

Altered Beast was one of the most visually impressive arcade games of its time. The game’s graphics were colorful and detailed, and the character sprites were large and well-animated. The game’s soundtrack was also impressive, with a mix of heavy metal and orchestral music.

Reception

Altered Beast was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and innovative use of transformation. Altered Beast was one of the best-selling arcade games of 1988, and it was later ported to the Sega Genesis, where it was also a commercial success.

Legacy

Altered Beast is considered to be one of the classic beat ’em up games of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay mechanic has been copied by many other games, and the game’s characters and monsters have become iconic symbols of the genre.

Altered Beast has been re-released on a number of platforms over the years, including the Sega Genesis Mini, the PlayStation 2, and the Xbox 360. The game is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains a testament to the enduring power of classic arcade gaming.

Tips for Playing Altered Beast

  • Collect spirit balls as quickly as possible. Spirit balls are essential for transforming into beasts, so it’s important to collect them as quickly as possible.
  • Use the right beast for the right situation. Each beast has its own unique abilities and strengths, so it’s important to use the right beast for the right situation. For example, the wolf is good for taking out small enemies, the bear is good for taking out large enemies, and the dragon is good for taking out flying enemies.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to play Altered Beast, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
  • Have fun! Altered Beast is a challenging but rewarding game, so make sure to have fun while you’re playing it.

Additional Information

  • Developer: Sega
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: 1988
  • Platforms: Arcade, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Sega Genesis Mini
  • Genre: Beat ’em up
  • Number of Players: 1-2

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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