Alien Hominid Invasion Review (Switch eShop)

Admittedly, we by no means dug the unique Alien Hominid. First launched on consoles in 2004, it had its fanbase, positive, however the Newgrounds artwork model, slack animation response, and aggravating fairly than satisfying problem curve simply turned us off.

Enter Alien Hominid: Invasion, a 2023 sequel that blasted out of nowhere, able to enchantment to current followers, wherever they could be, and hopefully tractor beam in some new ones. And, the change in route and the general execution of this sequel is pleasantly stunning. It now not follows the standard run-and-gun format of the unique, however as an alternative goes for a multi-path map crawl, the place phases act like big arenas, and inside these phases you’re tasked with fulfilling a sequence of mini-missions dished out at random. A roguelite that scales in problem by bombarding with more and more robust, extra harmful enemy varieties, it stays cleverly managed even when the warmth is turned as much as melting. There are adjustable problem settings and choices to maintain weaponry after a demise, and as much as 4 gamers can get entangled for a really satisfying grand-melee, serving to one another out as you decimate the environment. On defaults its not overly troublesome to familiarize yourself with, and, upon getting a deal with in your alien’s myriad expertise and the power to use a little bit of reflex, the motion is altogether much less daunting. Now, you’ll be able to double soar, fireplace downward for a top increase, invincible break roll on the bottom or within the air, dig underground to cover from imminent hazard, and hop onto the shoulders of mates and foes. You additionally acquire a number of new weaponry and enhancements that may be utilized between phases, and even unlock aesthetic augmentations to your little alien menace.

Graphically, it recollects a few of that Newgrounds artwork model of the unique (additionally now out there on Switch in high-def type), however with an unlimited overhaul. In full HD, the graphics are properly outlined, well-animated, and uniquely styled. The motion is fraught, with missions popping up that contain, for instance, gathering and depositing a sure variety of newspapers, or dispatching six purple enemies. To fulfil missions, you observe arrows directing you to a particular space, nevertheless it’s as much as you to make use of every stage’s distinctive equipment as you please. All the whereas, you’re assailed by a monstrous variety of enemies working, flying, and firing recklessly in your route, creating a complete barnyard maelstrom of lasers and explosions. All the whereas, you hop, flip, and demolish, making your means from one waypoint to the subsequent, gunning above and gunning beneath, head bouncing, weaving, and rolling by way of the carnage. It’s a taut, pressure-cooker tussle with you on the centre, often leaping out of the purpose of convergence for a second to breathe, earlier than inviting it to observe you in a form of dance of destruction.

Alien Hominid Invasion’s setup will not enchantment to everybody. We have been upset to seek out the mission goals recycle far too typically, and their random nature appears to rob the phases of any actual individuality. But when it comes to its dealing with, execution, and additions, Invasion feels a lot superior to the unique. And, whereas in the end repetitive, its chaos is enjoyable for temporary single and multiplayer preparations, and we loved dipping in for a fast bout of raucousness.