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A throwback to old-school shoot-em-ups. Platypus keeps things simple. The game doesn’t make promises it can’t keep or try to sell you on a grand concept but ends up doing what it set out to do quite well.
As I mentioned above, Platypus is an example in basic game design. All you need is to use the directional pad (or analog nub if you’re so inclined) and a fire button to get through the side-scrolling stages. The game does try to mix things up a bit by introducing power-ups along the way. These power-ups include shots that are faster or have a larger range, the ability to hit projectiles, rockets, and even a lethal shot to kill enemies with a single shot. You’ll need these power-ups, too, because the game often throws many enemies at you. The bosses are a bit more interesting and present a tougher challenge than any individual enemy but that is to be expected. Platypus starts you off with give lives and two credits, with the ability to earn additional lives and credits in the various levels. However, should you lose all your lives and credits you can pick up your next game from your last completed level which makes the game somewhat easy to get through.
Platypus also includes a cooperative mode which actually works quite well. You play through the same levels with a friend but you share a common pool of lives. If you run out of lives, you’re still in the game as a transparent ship and if your friend happens to get a life you can start playing again. It’s a small addition but one that works wonder. Additionally, there is a survival mode that only gives you one life.
Platypus graphics are pretty good thanks to the use of Claymation but by no means will blow you away. The game’s soundtrack is a bit limited at eight tracks but they’re from classic games like Driller and Parallax and work quite well together.
If you’re a fan of side-scroller shoot-em-ups Platypus is a worthwhile purchase, especially if you plan on playing the game cooperatively. It doesn’t do anything radically different but it doesn’t do anything wrong either. -- Michael Taylor, PGNx Media
---- Jan 19, 2007
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