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- After some troubled times, Sega is back to making waves in the gaming domain.
- Sega’s project to revive its past classics doesn’t include Altered Beast yet.
- Sega shouldn’t sleep on altered Beast, the iconic Beat ’em Up with beastly powers.
Many video game companies that were once the talk of the town are merely relics now for us to fondly remember. Time is cruel indeed. However, some managed to rise from the ashes with a renewed vitality and portfolio. SNK is a living example that second chances do exist, and so is Sega.
Well, technically Sega never went bankrupt like SNK, but hey, you get the point. Sega’s triumphant revival is certainly a success story if I saw one, and while it’s not returning to the console market, it surely is making some massive waves in the video game department—Persona, Yakuza, Sonic, and of course, the much-awaited retro-revival.
Why it matters: Sega’s retro games still remain some of its best works, and since it is willing to see them soar again, Altered Beast more than deserves a chance.
Sega Is Coming In Hot Lately
Speaking of Sega immediately flashes that iconic logo with the “Sega” voice in my mind, taking me back to the good old times. Playing Altered Beast for the first time, failing miserably in some high-speed platforming of Sonic, and who can ever forget the pleasantly unique Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi?
Sega went through a rough patch both in the console and the video game department a good while ago. Unfortunately, the console area’s failures were unsalvageable, but the tech giant never gave up in the game domain. Yes, it didn’t have any significant hits in a long time, but all that changed when Persona and Yakuza introduced themselves.
Atlus’ Persona and RGG’s Yakuza brought fresh energy to Sega’s lineup. Interestingly, both series flew under the radar for years, but fans eventually discovered their hidden brilliance and gave them the spotlight they always deserved.
Still, you can’t help but miss all those classic Sega games, I know I do. Sega heard this too it seems and said “Here you go.” That’s right, Sega’s long-lost gems are about to return, and I couldn’t be happier. Well, except for Altered Beast.
Altered Beast, Beat ‘Em Up With A Wild Twist
Ah, Altered Beast. I remember I couldn’t get enough of this game back in the old days, even though it’s a short and honestly fairly straightforward game. Yet its unique charm because of the awesome animalistic abilities and getting to bully everyone when you’re transformed was unmatched.
You play as a warrior chosen by Zeus to rescue Athena from the bad guy. Apologies for not remembering the villain’s name, my memory’s not exactly fresh. All I remember is wanting to kill him when he stole my cool beast form after the first level. And then I did kill him, after a thrilling few hours.
As I mentioned, it’s a classic side-scrolling beat ’em up, except your character is fairly slow and attacks sluggish. This changes when you pick a power-up, which gives you extra muscles at first, but then transforms you into one of the 5 signature beasts. The goal is to maintain this form by not getting hit, and killing enemies with your awesome abilities.
Who remembers Altered Beast? Countless hours of my childhood were sunk into this game.
byu/Mvplol ingaming
From throwing around lightning bolts to turning things to stone and thrusting through them with a super kick, it’s mad fun I tell you.
Altered Beast Needs To Return
You’ll notice I started my reminiscence of Sega’s classic gems with this very game when it’s the only one not returning in the “Retro revival.” Tragic, right? It’s a shame, considering how fun it is. Don’t get me wrong I’m ecstatic about Golden Axe, Shinobi, Crazy Taxi, and Jet Set Radio returning, but Altered Beast would’ve been just sublime.
I don’t think Sega has necessarily forgotten about this gem, because I remember seeing it in one of its official presentations, listed in the classic IPs that have potential. If so, I wonder why it wasn’t in the collection. Is the game planned but not revealed yet?
Whatever the case, Sega must give Altered Beast another chance. And no, I’m not talking about the horrible 2005 sequel that got everything about the formula wrong. That was just a bad product, not reflective of the OG’s charm. A true revival of Altered Beast, in the same way Sega plans to bring back other side-scrollers, is what’s needed.
It has already proven itself more than capable after the beautiful Streets of Rage 4. That’s exactly the kind of treatment I want Altered Beast to receive. Sega’s retro revival will always feel like something’s missing without it.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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