Drawing from the game’s beginnings as a Flash game, Alien Hominid is completely hand drawn. The style is very unique and like nothing you’ve seen outside an “Invader Zim” cartoon. Everything about the game is about setting up its own style, from the darkened, stylized landscapes to the not-quite human-looking FBI agents. Animations are smooth and reminiscent of Flash games. It’s not Disney-quality, but it works.

There’s not much to the game’s sound component either. A handful of songs are used during the game, each with a playful, almost jazzy feel to them. Of course, you’re liable to not hear any of the music over the blaster fire, explosions, and death screams taking place in the Alien’s wake.

Alien Hominid is a pure shooter in the vein of Contra or other old-school shooters. The story is pretty simple. You’re an alien who has crash-landed on Earth. Your ship has been stolen by the FBI and you need to retrieve it. This begins your quest in which you’ll shoot every agent, robot, and well... just about everything else in your way. Action is very straightforward; you go from level to level shooting everything that moves. At points in each level, you’ll have to face larger threats. A two-player option is also available so you and a friend can take on the FBI together.

Outside of run-and-gun gameplay, there isn’t much else to Alien Hominid. So given the game’s limited scope, the replay value isn’t very high. However, the developers have added a few treats to keep players busy for at least a few more hours. A collection of mini-games can be unlocked, giving you something else to do. While entertaining for a little while, even the PDA mini-games can get stale.

Adding a little more replay to the game, a level editor is available, so would-be designers can plan all kinds of chaos for their friends.

As with most side-scrolling shooters, such as the Metal Slug series, Alien Hominid is pretty difficult by today’s standards. Newcomers should really think about setting the game on Easy mode because jumping into Normal mode is a one-way ticket to frustration. Even more experienced gamers will go through lives quickly given the game’s “one-hit, you’re dead” setup. Obtaining shields helps to offset this, but it’s still a tough road.

Boss fights are all about spotting patterns and adapting your tactics to them. This isn’t as easy as its sounds. Timing also plays a big part in squaring off with bosses, granting a slim window to get in some hits or avoid a really powerful attack. You’ll certainly go nuts, but you’ll also keep coming back after every “Game Over” screen.

Control is about as straight-forward as the game itself. One button shoots, one throws grenades, and another jumps. Your primary weapons are your blasters which can be upgraded by picking up power-ups. Special moves, which can be executed once the alien has entered “Freak Out” mode, are pulled off with short button combos or by context. These include the ability to temporarily burrow (and drag) agents underground and the option of simply jumping at an enemy and biting his head off. Using a variety of methods to eliminate enemies nets you style points, granting you special rewards at the end of the level.

Alien Hominid may not be as deep or as well known as newer games, but it’s still a fun adventure for those who either enjoy old-school shooters or want a challenge.