Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore 16, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Commodore Plus/4, DOS, Mac, PC-9800 Series, Tatung Einstein, TRS-80, TRS-80 Color Computer
- Developers: Infocom
- Publishers: Infocom, SystemSoft
Planetfall (1983): A Classic Sci-Fi Adventure
Planetfall is a science fiction interactive fiction computer game written by Steve Meretzky and published by Infocom in 1983. It was one of the first games to use the Z-machine, a virtual machine that allowed Infocom’s text adventures to be played on a variety of platforms.
The game is set in a distant future where the player character, a member of the Stellar Patrol, crash-lands on a mysterious planet. The player must explore the planet, solve puzzles, and interact with the strange alien life forms that inhabit it.
Planetfall was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best interactive fiction games ever made. It was praised for its well-written story, its innovative use of the Z-machine, and its challenging puzzles.
Gameplay
Planetfall is a text adventure game, which means that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The game uses a parser to interpret the player’s commands and carry them out.
The player character can explore the planet by moving around the game world and interacting with objects and characters. The player can also collect items, use items, and talk to characters.
The game’s puzzles are challenging but fair, and they require the player to use their intelligence and creativity to solve them. The puzzles are often based on logic and deduction, but they also require the player to have a good understanding of the game world and its inhabitants.
Story
The story of Planetfall is well-written and engaging, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. The player character is a likeable and relatable protagonist, and the supporting cast of characters is also well-developed.
The story is full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing until the very end. I was particularly impressed by the game’s ending, which was both satisfying and thought-provoking.
Graphics and Sound
Planetfall is a text adventure game, so it does not have any graphics or sound. However, the game’s text descriptions are so vivid and evocative that I was able to easily visualize the game world and its inhabitants.
Overall
Planetfall is a classic interactive fiction game that is still worth playing today. It has a well-written story, challenging puzzles, and a lovable cast of characters. If you are a fan of science fiction or interactive fiction, then I highly recommend checking out Planetfall.
Review Score
9/10
Pros:
- Well-written story
- Challenging puzzles
- Lovable cast of characters
- Innovative use of the Z-machine
Cons:
- No graphics or sound
- Some of the puzzles can be frustrating
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
