August 7 has served up a quirky and chaotic platter of gaming delights. Whether it’s blasting cartoon aliens from a Flash-era fever dream, charting post-apocalyptic lands with a spear-wielding redhead, or setting the kitchen on fire with friends, this date has something for everyone. The genres couldn’t be more different, but each title brings a distinct flavour to the table. So grab a controller, a fire extinguisher, and maybe a robotic dinosaur hunting bow. It’s time to dig in.
Alien Hominid (PC) 2002
At A Glance
Strap in for a run ‘n’ gun rampage that feels like a Looney Tune chugged five espressos and joined the FBI’s Most Wanted. Alien Hominid crash-landed onto PC monitors across Australia on August 7, 2002, wearing its flash game heritage like a badge of bloody honour. With its scribble-tastic art style and lightning-fast action, this cult hit was the pixelated equivalent of handing a crayon to a caffeinated gremlin and saying, “Go nuts.”
Gameplay Gist
Alien Hominid is pure, side-scrolling chaos in the spirit of Metal Slug, but instead of military muscle, you’re a bug-eyed extraterrestrial with a vendetta against the Men in Black. Expect madcap run ‘n’ gun gunplay, brutal difficulty spikes and physics-defying leaps that make Wile E. Coyote look grounded. Enemies explode in showers of cartoon gore, boss fights are screen-filling nightmares and power-ups come thick and fast. It’s a relentless test of twitch reflexes and memorisation, drenched in irreverent humour and chaotic charm.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Alien Hominid started life as a browser-based Flash game on Newgrounds in 2001, coded by programmer Tom Fulp and drawn by Dan Paladin. The game’s unexpected popularity led to a full-blown retail PC release in 2002, a near-unprecedented leap for an indie web game in those days. This release laid the foundation for what would eventually become The Behemoth, the same team behind cult hits like Castle Crashers and BattleBlock Theater. The PC version was an expanded remix of the original Flash experience, offering refined controls, new levels and even some bonus features exclusive to the retail edition.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Alien Hominid paved the way for indie developers to transition from web to retail platforms
- Its visual style helped define the look of Newgrounds-era animation, influencing a generation of Flash creatives
- The game’s brutal difficulty was a deliberate callback to arcade classics like Contra and Gunstar Heroes
- Alien Hominid was one of the earliest indie games to earn significant attention from mainstream gaming media
Kinda Similar
Metal Slug, Cuphead, Castle Crashers
Where To Play It Today
eBay Australia search for Alien Hominid (PC)
Horizon Zero Dawn (PC) 2017
At A Glance
When Horizon Zero Dawn finally stalked onto Australian PC screens in 2017, it felt like a breath of fresh, radioactive air for open-world enthusiasts. A post-apocalyptic playground where nature had reclaimed the Earth and mechanical beasts ruled the wild, this game was a remarkable blend of beauty and brutality. It brought a fresh spin to the hunt-and-survive genre with a compelling female lead who wielded bow and spear against robot dinosaurs and ancient mysteries alike.
Gameplay Gist
Horizon Zero Dawn offers a rich tapestry of stealth, strategy and explosive action, with players slipping into the role of Aloy, a skilled hunter navigating a lush, vast landscape filled with robotic predators. The combat system rewards planning and resourcefulness as you craft traps, arrows and gadgets to outsmart your metallic foes. Exploration feels organic and rewarding, with side quests, relics and secrets tucked into every corner of its beautifully rendered world. The blend of ranged weaponry and melee combat keeps the adrenaline ticking while the narrative layers unfold with cinematic grace.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
The original Horizon Zero Dawn launched exclusively on PlayStation 4 in 2017 before its PC arrival in 2020, but Australian gamers got early access through import channels. Guerrilla Games took a risk crafting a female protagonist and an original IP in a saturated market, a gamble that paid off big time with critical and commercial success. The PC port was noted for its robust graphics options and higher frame rates, which unlocked the game’s true visual potential. The game also inspired an upcoming sequel and a Netflix adaptation, cementing its cultural footprint.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Introduced a unique ecosystem where robotic creatures had distinct behaviours and vulnerabilities
- Pioneered seamless blending of ranged and melee combat in open-world RPGs
- Aloy’s character design and narrative arc challenged traditional female protagonist stereotypes in AAA games
- Its crafting and resource management systems became a blueprint for many modern action RPGs
Any Controversies?
Some critics debated whether the game’s story leaned too heavily on post-apocalyptic tropes, but most agreed its fresh setting and characters redeemed it. The PC port faced initial technical hiccups like crashes and input lag, which were swiftly addressed through patches. Additionally, a few questioned whether the “machine versus nature” theme was overused in gaming, but Horizon Zero Dawn’s execution won broad praise.
Kinda Similar
The Witcher 3, Monster Hunter: World, Shadow of the Colossus
Where To Play It Today
eBay Australia search for Horizon Zero Dawn (PC)
Overcooked 2 (NS, PC, PS4, XO) 2018
At A Glance
Overcooked 2 arrived in Australia in 2018 like a wild dinner party where the chefs had forgotten the recipes but remembered the chaos. This frantic cooking sequel turned kitchens into battlegrounds, challenging players to chop, fry and serve under pressure with friends and family. It mixed frantic teamwork with a healthy dollop of humour, proving that in the heat of the kitchen, cooperation is just as important as speed.
Gameplay Gist
The gameplay of Overcooked 2 is a high-energy test of coordination and quick thinking. Players must navigate ever-changing kitchens that throw unexpected obstacles such as moving floors, portals and fires at you. The addition of throwing ingredients across counters adds a fresh layer of strategy and frantic hilarity. Success requires communication, timing and a pinch of patience as you juggle orders in increasingly absurd environments. Whether playing solo or in couch co-op, the game serves up equal parts fun and frenzy.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Overcooked 2 was developed by Ghost Town Games and published by Team17, arriving three years after the original. The sequel introduced new mechanics such as ingredient tossing and online multiplayer, expanding on the core formula. Its whimsical level design drew inspiration from everything from pirate ships to haunted castles. The game’s accessibility and cooperative focus helped cement its place in social gaming circles worldwide, especially popular in Australia where local multiplayer experiences are cherished. A free update added a vegan chef character as a nod to inclusive gaming.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Introduced ingredient tossing, changing kitchen dynamics significantly
- Added online multiplayer, broadening the cooperative experience beyond the couch
- Levels featured dynamic environments that altered gameplay challenges in real time
- Inspired numerous party games focusing on teamwork and chaotic fun
Any Controversies?
There were few controversies surrounding Overcooked 2, but some players noted that the jump to online multiplayer introduced occasional lag and matchmaking issues at launch. The game’s difficulty spikes in later levels frustrated some casual players, but the overall reception praised its fun and accessible approach.
Kinda Similar
Moving Out, Tools Up!, Cook, Serve, Delicious!
Where To Play It Today
eBay Australia search for Overcooked 2 (NS, PC, PS4, XO)
