Altered Beast (2005 video game)

Altered Beast (2005 video game) is a 3D beat 'em up video game developed by Wow Entertainment and published by Sega. It is a reimagining of the original 1988 arcade game Altered Beast. Released for the PlayStation 2, it centers on Luke Custer, a Genome-Cyborg soldier who is resurrected and tasked with rescuing a kidnapped girl. The gameplay revolves around Luke's ability to transform into different mythical creatures, each with unique combat abilities. These transformations are achieved by collecting "Genome" power-ups scattered throughout the levels. The game retains the basic premise of the original, but updates the gameplay and story for a modern audience with a darker and more mature tone. Critical reception was mixed, with reviewers praising the return to the classic formula but criticizing its repetitive gameplay, weak story, and camera issues. Despite not achieving widespread commercial success, it remains a notable entry in the Altered Beast franchise.