10/06 Update: Since we no longer write for the Edmond Sun, this section is temporarily housing our podcast links for our iTunes feed. All of the columns are in the archives menu if you feel like exploring.

These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

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Alien Hominid
Saturday, December 11, 2004

No beating around the bush in this review - I love Alien Hominid. What started as a game that was merely supposed to tide me over for a week or two, has somehow elevated itself into one of the most fun games I have played this entire year. It's not often that a $30 piece of software based on a free internet flash game can actually compete with the big budget titles the media has been hyping to death. So, what is this wonder game I speak of, and why does it tickle my gaming bone just so? Glad you asked.

The last time I was this excited about a game I was playing Katamari Damacy. While KD was amazing because it created an entirely new genre and was ridiculously fun in the process, AH is merely an evolution to a genre that has been around forever. If you've played Contra or Metal Slug, you'll feel right at home playing Alien Hominid. Except, in those games you play humans out to destroy the invading aliens. In Alien Hominid you are the alien. The FBI, cruel organization that it is, shot your space ship out of the sky and stole it right out from under you. You don't really want to hurt them, but that ship is the only way you can get back home, and your gun is oh so large. So, you do what any good alien does - kill every human, robot and Russian in sight.

While the over the top bosses and hilarious animations are reason enough to play through the title, the developers also added a few new moves that make the adventure even more fun. For starters, you're equipped with grenades - which are primarily used to blow up buildings along the way - and a knife for close combat. Standard fair if you've played Metal Slug, but slicing an FBI agent in half never gets old. You can also forgo your weapons completely and jump right on an enemy's back. From there, you can chose to bite off their heads in a horribly messy scene that will cause onlooking enemies to go limp with panic. Or you can pick them up, use them as a human shield, and throw them at anyone who looks at you funny. My favorite new move is being able to bury yourself in the ground. No longer do you have to worry about ultra cheap attacks you can't avoid, just hide yourself in precious Mother Earth. From there, you can chose to not kill people or, if you're like me, you can drag them underground and finish them off lickity split.

When you're not spending time underground, there are plenty of vehicles at your disposal as well. All the standard rides are present - from tanks and bulldozers to cars and eventually a spaceship. But this wouldn't be Alien Hominid if it didn't add something completely ridiculous to the mix. My favorite "vehicle" is a giant abominable snowman. As large as the screen, this completely real beast can smash buildings with only a punch or two and eat FBI agents in one bite. Good times.

As fantastic as the story mode is - and with great co-op play and a ton of cute hats to unlock for your alien there is plenty of reason to play through it multiple times - my favorite aspect of AH is actually a mini game called PDA Mode. No, this is not something you can play on your PDA, it only looks that way. Using some of the most rudimentary graphics you'll see this generation, you'll guide your stick figure through a one screen obstacle course. Trying to stop you will be two types of enemies completely void of AI - the guy who shoots and the guy who walks - as well as a protruding spike pit and the always dangerous water trap. While the game comes loaded
with 201 of these addictive little levels, you can actually create as many as you want using the handy level editor. This is also the only mode in the game that lets you play with up to 4 people. You can work as a team to pass each level, or fight each other for the magic floating turnips (or are they money bags?) or "accidentally" kill your friends by dropping a rock on their head. That's right, you can reenact everyone's favorite scene from Lord of the Flies with stick figures.

Ok, I admit this game clearly isn't for everyone. And chances are, if you have weak wrists you'll develop a nasty case of carpel tunnel syndrome in no time flat. But that shouldn't deter those who grew up on these games. With some of the coolest hand drawn art around, and a sense of humor all its own, this is easily one of my favorite games released all year.

- Tom


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