Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Altered Beast’s core gameplay loops around transforming from a relatively weak human form into a powerhouse beast. In the opening moments, you guide Luke—a malnourished, amnesiac survivor—through the outskirts of Foret Town using simple punch, kick and jump commands. Though his base form is limited, every monster you defeat drops DNA data, which acts as an in-game currency to upgrade your beast attacks and unlock new combos. This risk-and-reward dynamic encourages you to engage enemies rather than avoid them, as stronger combos mean faster progression through later stages.

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Once enough DNA is collected, Luke can trigger the iconic “Rising Power” sequence, transforming into a ferocious werewolf. The shift in playstyle is dramatic: you gain extended reach, increased speed, and high-jump capabilities. These powers not only make combat more satisfying but also open up vertical exploration, revealing hidden alcoves or bonus DNA caches. As you progress, additional beast forms—each with unique movement abilities and special attacks—can be found, ensuring that gameplay never grows stale.

Boss encounters and environmental puzzles leverage your evolving bestial abilities. A triple-barreled minigun demon might force you to chain air-borne combos, while a winged beast requires you to switch forms mid-fight for its specific weakness. This structure keeps each level feeling distinct. The upgrade tree is intuitive, letting you spend DNA to boost attack speed, unlock a spinning tail whip or even trigger an earthquake stomp. These choices let you tailor Luke’s progression to your preferred playstyle—be it raw power or agile combo chaining.

Graphics

Visually, Altered Beast goes for a gritty, gothic aesthetic. Foret Town’s abandoned streets and crumbling buildings are rendered in moody, muted colors that set a foreboding tone from the first helicopter crash. Background details—overgrown vines, scattered debris and flickering street lamps—add a sense of place and history, even if some textures feel blocky by modern standards. It’s a style that taps into retro charm without trying to mimic today’s hyper-realism.

The monster designs are a highlight: grotesque fiends with jagged horns, molten skin or spindly limbs stalk each stage, and the animation frames give them a tangible weight. When Luke transforms, the transition is accompanied by a brief flash of lightning and a roar that feels satisfying. Each beast form (werewolf, bear, dragon, etc.) is distinct, with its own animation set that emphasizes fluid movement and impactful strikes. Seeing a fully powered beast form leap across the screen never gets old.

Special effects—such as DNA data particles, shockwave stomps and combo finishers—are bright and vivid, contrasting nicely against the darker backdrops. While particle effects can feel sparse compared to AAA blockbusters, they land with grit and punch, reinforcing the game’s “street-level” atmosphere. On handheld or lower-end platforms, frame rate dips can occur during boss fights, but overall the presentation remains stable enough to keep the action clear and satisfying.

Story

The narrative thrust of Altered Beast is simple but compelling. A helicopter is attacked over Foret Town by a mysterious creature, and the lone survivor, an amnesiac sealed in a metal crate, must piece together his past. As Luke ventures deeper into the town’s dark alleys and forsaken buildings, he gradually uncovers cryptic hints about why he was sent there and who—or what—he’s destined to become.

The amnesia trope works in the player’s favor, letting you discover revelations alongside Luke. Notes, graffiti and whispered monologues from defeated enemies drip-feed lore about an ancient cult and a forbidden ritual. Each new beast form you unlock ties back to a fragment of memory, blending the supernatural theme with the gameplay transformation mechanic. While dialogue is sparse, it’s enough to spark curiosity and drive you forward.

Pacing is brisk: there are no sprawling dialogue sequences or side quests to distract from the central goal of reclaiming Luke’s identity. Instead, key story beats occur between stages, offering just enough context to keep you engaged without bogging down the action. The final confrontation reveals the truth behind the monster assault and Luke’s own involvement, providing a surprisingly cohesive conclusion that ties gameplay upgrades to narrative payoff.

Overall Experience

Altered Beast offers a tight, action-packed beat ’em up experience with a supernatural twist. Its core strength lies in the transformation mechanic, which elevates simple punch-kick combos into epic displays of raw power. The upgrade system and discovery of new beast forms give players a tangible sense of growth, ensuring that each level feels fresh and progressively more challenging.

Although the graphics and sound design lean into retro sensibilities, the dark, gothic atmosphere holds up well and complements the game’s fast-paced combat. The story, while minimalist, effectively uses the amnesia and mystery elements to keep players invested. Fresh twists on familiar mechanics—such as airborne combos, form-specific puzzle solving and DNA-based progression—set it apart from standard arcade-style brawlers.

For fans of classic beat ’em ups and modern action games alike, Altered Beast delivers an engaging package. Its relatively short length may leave you wanting more, but the satisfying combo system and hidden secrets encourage replaying levels to master every beast form. If you’re looking for a game that blends visceral combat with a dark, supernatural storyline, Altered Beast is well worth jumping into.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10