Altered Beast

Altered Beast is a side-scrolling beat 'em up action game developed and published by Sega, first appearing in arcades in 1988. It quickly became a recognizable title for its distinct premise and gameplay mechanics.

In Altered Beast, you embody a warrior resurrected by Zeus to combat the forces of the evil demon Nefar. Gameplay involves moving through various stages, confronting waves of enemies using a combination of punches, kicks, and projectile attacks. Defeated foes often drop spirit orbs; collecting these is central to the Altered Beast experience. Gathering three spirit orbs triggers a significant transformation, turning the warrior into a powerful beast.

Each beast form in Altered Beast grants unique abilities. For instance, you might become a Werewolf, capable of swift melee attacks and high jumps, or a ferocious Tiger that spits fireballs. Later forms include a Dragon that unleashes lightning and a powerful Bear that delivers devastating ground-shaking attacks. These transformations are temporary, and taking damage can revert you to your human state, forcing you to strategize about collecting orbs and managing your health to maintain your mutated power.

The progression through Altered Beast involves clearing each side-scrolling level, often culminating in a confrontation with a boss. The ultimate goal is to defeat Nefar and rescue the five maidens he has captured, restoring peace to the land. The challenge comes from managing the warrior's standard attacks and the temporary, but potent, beast transformations against increasingly difficult enemy patterns and bosses.