Platoon (1987 video game)
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Platoon is an action game developed by Ocean Software and published by Data East for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC DOS and ZX Spectrum in 1987–1988. The NES version was ported and published by Sunsoft in September 1988.[1] It was the first video game adaptation of the 1986 war film Platoon, followed by the 2002 game.
Gameplay
In Stage 1, the player is in a jungle with a
In Stage 2, the player is now in a tunnel system and the point of view has changed to a first-person shooter. The player is able to navigate through the tunnel system using the map obtained earlier in stage 1. The player must navigate through the tunnel system and collect flares and a compass along the way. Enemies will continuously appear on the screen and the player must kill them quickly in order to advance through the tunnel system.
In Stage 3, the player is stuck in a bunker overnight that is under constant siege by enemy AI. The player must use flares obtained in the tunnel system in order to see enemy AI outside the bunker to be able to shoot them. The player is still in first-person mode and must navigate the cross-hair onto the enemy players in order to shoot at them. A skilled player could make out the silhouettes of enemies amongst the background without the need for flares. As long as the player survives the siege, the level will be successfully completed by the player.
In Stage 4, the player is now navigating through the jungle in a
Reception
Platoon received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its graphics and sound effects, but criticized its gameplay and difficulty.
The game was reviewed by several magazines at the time of its release, such as Computer and Video Games,[3] Zzap!64,[4] The Games Machine,[5] and ACE.[6] Some of the reviewers highlighted the game’s faithful adaptation of the movie, its realistic atmosphere, and its varied gameplay. For example, Zzap!64 gave the game a score of 94%, calling it “A superb combat simulation, and simply the best film tie-in to date - not to be missed.”.[4] Similarly, The Games Machine awarded the game 92%, stating that “Really successful film tie-ins have been few and far between, Platoon is one of the few. A sure-fire winner from Ocean."[5]
However, other reviewers were less impressed by the game, and pointed out its flaws, such as its high difficulty level, its frustrating controls, and its lack of replay value. For instance, ACE gave the game a score of 53%, commenting that “Sluggish control responses and scrolling ruin the game's playability, while the garishly clashy display makes it unappealing stuff to look at.”[6]
References
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "CRASH 50 - Platoon".
- ^ "C+VG Reviews". Computer and Video Games: 42–43. March 1988.
- ^ a b "Zzap! Test". Zzap!64: 88–89. February 1988.
- ^ a b "Paradise Ungained". The Games Machine: 56–57. February 1988.
- ^ a b "Screen Test". ACE: 59. April 1988.