[#08] Altered Beast (Genesis)


Genre: Beat 'em up
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Original release: 1989

Shortly after the arcade classic Golden Axe was released, Altered Beast (directed by the same designer of Golden Axe, Makoto Uchida) became a Genesis fans first contact. Packaged with the Genesis at launch, Altered Beast was a 1-2 player side scrolling beat 'em up, just like its Golden Axe brethren. While Golden Axe provided much more depth of action (steeds, spells, etc), what makes Altered Beast a more deserving title on our #08 spot is quite simply the (at the time, unique) ability to transform into monstrous beasts, each with their own characteristics and abilities.

The biggest downfall about Altered Beast, and what keeps it from breaking any higher than our #08 spot, is the unparalleled shallowness of the title. "Rise from your grave" to battle the Demon God Neff and save Zues' daughter Athena. While the storyline whets a player's appetite in expectance of an epic experience, Altered Beast fails to deliver. With only five extremely short levels (each climaxed by a boss fight with a beast version of Neff), there are only two redeeming qualities - cooperative play and beast transformations. Players transform immediately after collecting three floating power-up orbs (dropped by enemies in the game), though their form is preset by the level being played. Sometimes even cooperative play can be a hassle, as your partner may accidentally acquire power-ups that you need when it doesn't even effect him. Replayability is also somewhat limited, turning more into a time trial test of who can beat the game the fastest.

One can only sit back and wonder what more Altered Beast could have become in the eyes of history if it were a more expansive title. While all of the issues described leave Altered Beast a mediocrity among classics, it is still an experience that no real gamer can do without. And that, my friends, is why you can't ignore our #08 VC game of 2006. It may not be the best game on our list, but it's certainly one you shouldn't do without.


Now, what about #07? It's on the next page if you want to know. You do want to know, don't you?