Difference between revisions of "Altered Beast"

From Sega Retro

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File:AlteredBeastSMSUSHint.jpg| SMS US Hints
 
File:AlteredBeastSMSUSHint.jpg| SMS US Hints
 
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</gallery>
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==Promotional Material==
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Altered Beast Arcade EU Flyer.jpg|Arcade flyer
 +
</gallery>
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==Physical Scans==
 
==Physical Scans==
===Arcade Version===
 
{{scanflyer
 
| console=Arcade
 
| region=EU
 
| page1=Altered Beast Arcade EU Flyer.jpg
 
}}
 
 
 
===Mega Drive Version===
 
===Mega Drive Version===
 
{{ratings
 
{{ratings

Revision as of 11:52, 22 July 2014

n/a

Altered Beast Arcade Title.png

Altered Beast
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, Famicom, PC Engine, PC Engine CD-ROM², Virtual Console, iOS
Publisher:
Arcade
Sega,
Sega Mega Drive
Sega,
Famicom
Asmik,
PC Engine
Template:PCECD NEC Avenue, All other ports: Activision
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Pre-SMPS Z80
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Famicom
JP
1990 ¥? ?
CERO
Missing Parameter!
For the PlayStation 2 game, see Altered Beast (2005).

Altered Beast, called Juuouki (獣王記) in Japan, is a Sega System 16 arcade game released in 1988 by Sega. It was developed by the creator of Golden Axe, Makoto Uchida and shares many graphical similarities as a result. The game was notable as it allows the player could take on the form of "Were Animals".

A year later it was ported to various consoles, including the Sega Mega Drive, which it was bundled with during the console's early years. There was a watered down port for the Sega Master System also, and several ports to non-Sega systems, including console rivals the Famicom and PC Engine.

Master System version is especially notable for receiving abysmal reviews.

Storyline and Gameplay

In Ancient Rome, the evil Demon God, Neff, has kidnapped Zeus' Daughter, Athena. Zeus revives a centurion from the dead to rescue his daughter. This is where the first stage starts, with Zeus saying the famous "Rise from your grave!" line. The centurion must kill the Wolf-like Demons that flash multiple colors (the Mega Drive version lacks the flashing effect and the characters stay blue instead). Killing them unleashes a spirit ball that the player must grab in order to transform. The first two increase muscle mass slightly while the third spirit ball will transform the centurion into a beast depending in what stage the player is in.

Once the player has changed into a beast he/she can then confront Neff who will appear and say "Welcome to your doom!" and create a smoke cloud which then disappears revealing a monster that also depends upon stage as well. If the player has not collected three spirit balls before reaching Neff the level will start over from the beginning. After each boss fight Neff's head appears from a hole in the ground and he steals all three of the player's Spirit balls causing the player to revert back to his/her normal state. The player the proceeds to jump down the hole continuing to follow Neff.

Stages

Here is a rundown of each stage. There are five stages in all:

Stage 1- This is a graveyard of sorts. The centurion, is revived from here by Zeus. Upon collecting three spirit balls, the player will transform into a Werewolf. The Werewolf has the ability to fire energy balls from its hands and do an energy kick that makes it fly across the screen damaging anything in the way without stopping until the player reaches the edge of the screen. Neff becomes a weird horned demon thing that can launch his head off and grow a new one instantaneously. As a result, Neff can fire up to five heads at the player at nearly the same time. The heads then fall straight to the ground. In the Acrade version of this stage Alex Kidd's name as well as Stella's are engraved on some of the destroyable tombstones. Zombies litter the place, including self destructing and hard punching Zombies.

Stage 2- The player is inside a cave. An enemy who would later appear as a steed in Golden Axe is in this stage. (it acts the same too.) Weird Rattlesnake things jump from the ground and ceiling vertically. Strange blobby things will jump on the players head and suck their health away but is easily destroyed by moving the directional button once it is on the player's head. The player Transforms into a Weredragon, which uses electric attacks. Punching makes the Weredragon shoot lightening from its fist while kicking causes it to generate lightening all over its body. Neff changes into a multi-eyed thingy, who can fire eyes at the player which slowly hover across screen.

Stage 3- In this stage the player is in a canyon. There are bottomless pits which will cause an instant death for the player and any enemies who fall in. The player transforms into a Werebear in this stage. The Werebear can turn opponents to stone by pressing the punch button and can curl up into a ball and bounce with the kick button. Neff changes into a dragon with a snail shell. It must be attacked repeatedly to make its head come out of the snail shell in the arcade version if the player wishes to do any damange. Neff can also shoot slow moving Swirling fire to damage the player. (Hint: The Bouncing ability makes the fight easier in the Mega Drive version of the game.)

Stage 4- The Player is getting closer to Neff's Lair. The player is now in some sort of sanctuary. Exploding Zombies make a reappearance in this stage. upon collecting three spirit balls the player changes into the Weretiger. The Weretiger is the same as the WereWolf except that all of its attacks are vertical. Neff changes into a floating dragon thing that shoots fire out of its belly and moves up and down as well as forward some. In the arcade version the fire can pretty much waste a single credit (3 lives) with one shot due to the knock down effect present in the game. He shoots Miniature red Weredragons from his body as well.

Stage 5- This is the underworld, complete with Unicorn men and Goat men as well as a host of other nasty new and old enemies. The player will turn into the Golden Werewolf, which as redundant as it is, is only slightly stronger than the regular Werewolf. That being said The attacks are the same. Neff takes on the form of a Rhino man who ironically was a statue that appeared in the background of Stage 4. This boss charges at the player with his horn extended forward or he tries to punch the player.Right before each attack, puffs of steam come out of his nose and he shakes a little.

Ending - Basically in the arcade version, the ending acts like the whole game was a movie. Monsters and the main characters remove their costumes and celebrate the completion of their movie with a toast and mugs of beer. Then it shows a drawn version of each person involved with the game's creation except that a white bar appears over their eyes giving the impression that the don't want the player to see to actually see their faces. Typical Sega humor for that time period.

The Mega Drive version's ending is the same except that the movie cast sequence doesn't happen. Instead credits roll and the Centurion is standing off to the side of the screen with the background of stage 1 behind him. Interestingly the player can control the Centurion during this sequence. When he touches the words of the credits he acts like an enemy knocked him down. He will not die though. In addition to this, if the player decides to play the Mega Drive version again without turning off the power, they will start from the beginning of the game but there will be more powerful and dangerous enemies lurking in the earlier levels. (many of the ones that appeared in stage 4 and 5.) The boss fights are the same though as is the ending.

Sequels

Altered Beast, despite being heavily ported and widely distributed, did not see a sequel until Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms for the Game Boy Advance in 2002. This game was developed by the now defunct, 3d6 games and the game's concept is quite consistent with the original game's formula. There were also new beasts to transform into as well as power ups.

A second sequel called, Jūōki: Project Altered Beast was developed by WOW Entertainmentfor the PlayStation 2. This game is set in a more modern scenario and the story follows a "Genome-Cyborg" named Luke Custer. The game is heavily criticized for bad camera angles and some other crippling programming mistakes.

Production Credits

Arcade Version

Team Shinobi 1988 Summer: FU., TAK., MOR., TOS., NAK., KAW., SAT., UCH., HKR., HAS., HAG.

Mega Drive Version

Coordinate: No Nukes
Designer: Phoenix Rie, Udi
Programmer: Tasi, Healthy Tatsu, Momonga Momo
Sound: Nav
Special Thanks to: Team Sinobi

Amiga Version

Coded by Jeff Gamon
Graphics by Mak Computer Graphics
Music by Uncle Art
Produced by Stuart Hibbert
A Software Studios production In association with Marjacq Micros Ltd.

Amstrad CPC Version

  • Mark A. Jones (graphics)

Atari ST Version

  • Mark A. Jones (graphics)

Commodore 64 Version

Programming by Michael Archer
Graphics by Computer graphics
Music by Martin Walker

DOS Version

Programming: Robert White
Artwork: David Adams
Music & Sound Effects: Michael J. Sokyrka, Kristian Hatfefid
Conversion By: Unlimited Software Inc.

PC Engine CD-ROM² Version

Executive Producer: Shigenobu Nanbu
Producer: Toshio Tabeta
Director: Takashi Ozama
Programmer: Hideki Mesuda
Graphic: Yasunori Takahara
Music: Metal Yamashita, Fumina Murohoshi
Assistant: Chieko Ochiai, Hiroshi Matsuda
Special Thanks To: Noriyuki Watanabe, Yoshiko Ishibashi, Fumiko Suzuki
Presented by NEC Avenue
©Sega 1988

ZX Spectrum Version

  • Mark A. Jones (graphics)

Hints

Promotional Material

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
94 №26, p144
87 №1, p48
67 №4, p26
87 №19, p17
47 №3, p79
53
67 №1, p76
40 №23, p52
74 №1, p19
48 №18, p64
Sega Mega Drive
66
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[1]
ACE (UK) PAL
94
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
50
[3]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
87
[4]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
67
[5]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
67
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
68
[7]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
40
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
48
[9]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[10]
The Games Machine (UK)
87
[11]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
47
[12]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
47
[13]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
66
[14]
MegaTech (UK)
67
[15]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
67
[16]
Power Play (DE)
53
[17]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[18]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
74
[19]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
48
[20]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
46
[21]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
58
[22]
Sega Mega Drive
59
Based on
22 reviews

Altered Beast

Mega Drive, US
Altbeast md us cover.png
Cover
Altbeast md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Altbeast md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Altbeast md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Altbeast md jp cover.jpg
Cover
AlteredBeast MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Alteredbeast md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
AlteredBeast MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Altered Beast MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Alteredbeast md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
AlteredBeast MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
AlteredBeast MD KR cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
66 №21, p50
49 №1, p48
60 №91, p86
45
17
65
43 №18, p49
53 №9, p12
40 №23, p55
68 №1, p19
Sega Master System
51
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
66
[23]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
49
[4]
Console XS (UK) PAL
60
[24]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
60
[25]
The Games Machine (UK)
43
[26]
Games Preview (DK)
43
[27]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
45
[28]
Popular Computing Weekly (UK)
42
[29]
Power Play (DE)
17
[17]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
53
[30]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
68
[19]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
50
[32]
Tilt (FR)
60
[33]
Sega Master System
49
Based on
14 reviews

Altered Beast

Master System, US
Altbeast ms us cover.jpg
Cover
Altbeast ms us cart.jpg
Cart
Alteredbeast sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
Altbeast ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
® variant
AlteredBeast SMS EU R cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Altered Beast SMS BR Cover Alt.jpg
Cover
AlteredBeastSMSBRCartridge.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (newer)
Altered Beast SMS BR Cover.jpg
Cover
Alteredbeast sms br cart.jpg
Cart
Alteredbeast sms br manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU
AlteredBeast SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
AlteredBeast SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №26
69 №96
69 №25, p85
68 №56, p10
Amiga
72
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Altered Beast

Amiga, US

Amiga, EU
Altered Beast Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amiga, UK (The Hit Squad)
AlteredBeast Amiga UK Box Front THS.jpg
Cover

Amstrad CPC Version

Amstrad CPC, EU (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, EU (disk)

Amstrad CPC, UK (The Hit Squad)
AlteredBeast CPC EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
AlteredBeast CPC ES Box Cassette MCM.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk)

Atari ST Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
68 №96
70 №25, p85
Atari ST
69
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Atari ST
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Altered Beast

Atari ST, EU

Altered Beast Atari ST EU Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
Altered Beast Atari ST EU Disk2.jpg
Disk 2
Atari ST, UK (The Hit Squad)

Commodore 64 Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
73 №96
64 №25, p85
73 №56, p10
Commodore 64
70
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore 64
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Altered Beast

Commodore 64, US
AlteredBeast C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, EU
Altered Beast C64 EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAltered Beast C64 EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Altered Beast C64 EU Cassette.jpg
Cassette
Commodore 64, UK (The Hit Squad)
AlteredBeast C64 UK Box THS.jpg
Cover

DOS Version

DOS, US

Famicom Version

NES, JP
AlteredBeast NES JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
AlteredBeast NES JP Cart.jpg
Cart

MSX Version

MSX, EU

MSX, ES
AlteredBeast MSX ES Box MCM.jpg
Cover

PC Engine

TurboGrafx-16, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px
Cover
AlteredBeast PCE JP Card.jpg
HuCard

PC Engine CD-ROM² Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60 №26, p21
Template:PCECD 60
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Template:PCECD N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Altered Beast

PC Engine CD-ROM², JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px320x80px
Cover

ZX Spectrum Version

ZX Spectrum, EU

ZX Spectrum, UK (The Hit Squad)
Altered Beast Spectrum EU THS Box.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
Altered Beast Spectrum EU MCM Box.jpg
Cover

Exernal Links



Games in the Altered Beast/Juuouki Series
Altered Beast (home computers) (1988) | Electronic Altered Beast (1990) | Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms (2002) | Altered Beast (2005) | 3D Altered Beast (2013)
Altered Beast related media
Music
Altered Beast (2017)
Book
Sega Game Attack Manual Book Juuouki (1989)
Other List of Altered Beast merchandise
  1. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 18
  2. ACE, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 144
  3. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1990" (JP; 1990-01-08), page 71
  4. 4.0 4.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 48
  5. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 26
  6. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 44
  7. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 127
  8. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 288
  9. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 19
  10. Famitsu, "" (JP; 1988-1x-xx), page 1
  11. The Games Machine, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-18), page 17
  12. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 79
  13. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  14. Mega Drive Fan, "November 1989" (JP; 1989-10-07), page 49
  15. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 76
  16. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  17. 17.0 17.1 Power Play, "7/89" (DE; 1989-06-12), page 54
  18. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 52
  19. 19.0 19.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 19
  20. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  21. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  22. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 13
  23. ACE, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-04), page 50
  24. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 138
  25. Computer & Video Games, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-11), page 86
  26. The Games Machine, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-20), page 49
  27. Games Preview, "6 1989" (DK; 1989-xx-xx), page 50
  28. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 96
  29. Popular Computing Weekly, "August 3 1989" (UK; 1989-08-03), page 15
  30. S: The Sega Magazine, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-05), page 12
  31. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  32. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  33. Tilt, "Juin 1989" (FR; 1989-xx-xx), page 60