Alien Hominid

Origins of Alien Hominid

In 2002, Alien Hominid was first developed as a Flash game by Newgrounds founder Tom Fulp and artist Dan Paladin. Due to the game's enormous popularity on Newgrounds, The Behemoth was founded and would later create a complete console version.

Gameplay and Features

Classic Run-and-Gun Action

Alien Hominid screenshot

Similar to Metal Slug, Alien Hominid is a side-scrolling shooter with intense boss battles, challenging enemies, and quick-paced action. A yellow alien whose UFO crashes on Earth is controlled by the player. The alien battles off incessant waves of FBI agents, tanks, and strange foes while armed with a blaster, grenades, and a taste for mayhem.

Key gameplay features include:

Tight controls and responsive action
Hand-drawn 2D graphics
Challenging boss fights
Co-op multiplayer mode
Mini-games and unlockables
Cartoonish Violence and Humor

Alien Hominid is notable for its irreverent humor and cartoon-style violence. The game has humorous cutscenes that never take themselves too seriously, absurd enemy designs, and hilarious death animations.

Legacy and Influence

A Launchpad for The Behemoth

The Behemoth's first big hit, Alien Hominid, set the stage for later hits like Castle Crashers, BattleBlock Theater, and Pit People. At a time when independent game developers were having difficulty becoming well-known, it helped make indie games more widely accepted.

Alien Hominid Invasion

The Behemoth revealed Alien Hominid Invasion in 2021, a reimagined version of the original that featured online cooperative play, character customization, and roguelike elements. It's a new interpretation that updates the formula for contemporary audiences while preserving the essence of the original.

Conclusion

The cult classic Alien Hominid contributed to the development of independent gaming in the early 2000s. It stands out in the run-and-gun genre thanks to its distinctive artwork, challenging gameplay, and ridiculous humor. Alien Hominid is still a memorable experience, regardless of whether you're a devoted fan or a newbie to the mayhem.