Attic of the Underdogs

Planetfall [Solid Gold]

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Review by Underdogs:
Planetfall is one of Infocom’s most successful game that was updated and re-released as “Solid Gold” edition in 1988. The entire Solid Gold line was sadly not very well known, perhaps because most people assumed it was simply a re-release of the original game. This is not the case: the Solid Gold edition games include Infocom’s “InvisiClues” hints as an in-game feature, the game engine (“Z machine”) was updated to version 5 (which features a more versatile parser), and most bugs squashed. The Solid Gold therefore became the best edition of Infocom classics to own and play.

As to this Solid Gold release, Planetfall remains to this day one of my most favorite IF games, and has a special place in my heart for being the first game ever to make me cry. That’s right – a text-only game made me cry. That should tell you how extraordinary Planetfall is, although the fact that I was only 13 when I played this (with my Dad’s help) may have something to do with it ;)

Similar to the Space Quest series, you start the game as a starship janitor who managed to escape the ship before it was destroy, subsequently landing in a deserted building complex on an alien planet. With the help of your faithful robot companion B-19-7 (aka Floyd), you must discover what happened to the people and solve various problems before time runs out.

Planetfall is a great science fiction game that boasts a milestone in computer gaming: creating a believable and lifelike non-player character. Floyd is universally hailed as Infocom’s best NPC, and for good reason. Although he is useful for only three things in the game, Floyd constantly provides you with quips, amusing banter (including many tales of his life as a robot), and hints. The game is not a flat-out comedy the way Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was; it’s better described as a conventional sci-fi game with a charming sense of humor. One of the best things I like most about Planetfall (and most games by Meretzsky) is the fact that many items have more than one use. Of course, there are also red herrings that have no use at all in the game.

With excellent writing, fun plot, logical puzzles, and most importantly a genuinely charming NPC you will grow attached to, Planetfall is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling you simply must play. It is much better than Stationfall, the sequel, and the hard-to-find Solid Gold edition includes on-line InvisiClues hints and the same advanced parser that powered later Infocom games, from Beyond Zork onward. Two thumbs up, way up!

Average Rating:9.03 [287 votes]
Genre:Interactive Fiction
Designer:Steve Meretzky
Developer:Infocom
Publisher:Infocom
Year:1988
Software Copyright:Infocom
Theme:Science Fiction
Multiplayer:
Related Links:Game page at Unofficial Infocom Site
More Info:Mobygames | The Web
System Requirements:Inform
If you like this game, try:Stationfall, Leather Goddesses of Phobos [Solid Gold]
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Technical Notes: