Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure, Arcade, Shooter, Strategy
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Incentive Software
- Publishers: Epyx
Driller: A Classic Sci-Fi Adventure
Released in 1987, Driller is a classic sci-fi arcade game that combines thrilling gameplay with a gripping storyline. Players take on the role of Lesleigh Skerrit, a young man who is tasked with averting a catastrophic explosion that threatens to destroy the planet Evath.
Story
The game is set in the far future, after the human race has abandoned Earth for the planet Evath. Evath is a life-sustaining planet with two moons, Mitral and Tricuspid. The human colonists on Evath have formed a society based on the rule of law, but the planet is still plagued by the remnants of the Ketars, a group of outcasts who were banished from Evath generations ago.
Lesleigh Skerrit is a young man who dreams of joining the Driller Federation, an elite group of engineers who are responsible for maintaining the planet’s infrastructure. Lesleigh’s grandfather was a member of the Driller Federation, but he was falsely accused of murder and banished as a Ketar. Only later did the evidence contesting his guilt surface, but it was too late – the law did not allow someone banished as a Ketar to return to Evath.
Lesleigh is not bitter and does not seek retribution. He wants to study law to prevent this kind of mistake happening again. However, his plans are put on hold when he is called in by his superior, Montigue Yarbro. Yarbro offers Lesleigh a lifetime opportunity – to complete his training and gain a promotion to Elite within the Driller Federation in one fell swoop.
Lesleigh’s mission is to travel to Mitral, one of Evath’s moons, and attempt to avert a coming catastrophe. Mitral, having been abandoned in its unstable state by the Ketars, is going to explode within four hours, and the explosion would take Evath with it. Skerrit’s mission is to use the excavation probe “Last Hope” to place eighteen drilling rigs around Mitral to allow the gas to dissipate harmlessly into space and prevent this disaster.
Gameplay
Driller is a side-scrolling action game. Players control Lesleigh Skerrit as he traverses the surface of Mitral, using his excavation probe to drill through the ground and place drilling rigs. The game is played against a time limit, and players must race against the clock to place all 18 drilling rigs before Mitral explodes.
Along the way, players must also contend with a variety of enemies, including Ketar outcasts, sentry guns, and other hazards. Players can use Lesleigh’s excavation probe to attack enemies, or they can use a variety of power-ups to give themselves an edge in combat.
Legacy
Driller was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, its gripping storyline, and its impressive graphics. Driller has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Driller is a classic sci-fi adventure that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s unique gameplay, gripping storyline, and impressive graphics make it a must-play for fans of retro gaming.
Additional Information
- Driller was developed by Konami and released in arcades in 1987.
- The game was ported to the NES, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum in 1988.
- Driller was re-released on the PlayStation Network in 2010.
- The game is known for its challenging difficulty and its memorable boss battles.
- Driller is considered to be one of the best arcade games of the 1980s.
Review Score
8/10
