Infocom’s Solid Gold series was a group of remakes and re-releases of many of their more popular games. For the most part, the game play of the newer versions of these games was nearly identical to their original counterparts, however, there were always some very nice additions to make them bigger, better and more interesting. This is true of Planetfall Solid Gold.
One of the most notable features of Planetfall Solid Gold that holds true with the rest of the series is an extremely useful and updated in-game help set.
This was in the form of subtle hints that could help the gamer through some of the most frustrating times without giving away the entire game or failing to be of help. Since most of the Solid Gold remakes were adventure games, another excellent upgrade was to the gaming engine itself, specifically moving to a more advanced and “intelligent” parser.
The story and game play of Planetfall Solid Gold remain the same as its original version. The gamer will play the part of the custodian of a starship. His future is bleak, and it appears to have become more bleak when the starship explodes, leaving him as the only survivor. The explosion lands him on an alien planet
that was drifting below the starship when it blew up. The janitor finds himself in a deserted building complex, with nothing but his sidekick robot, Floyd to give him any clues. He is determined to figure out what happened to the city’s people…what else does he have to do? He is homeless and jobless. Together, with Floyd’s help, the janitor will embark on this epic point-and-click adventure quest to learn the secrets of the alien lost city.
As a work of interactive fiction, Planetfall is a good pick. The puzzles are well-placed, logical and fun to solve. There are some very fresh ideas in the adventure as well. For example, the inventory items that the janitor acquires will not necessarily disappear as soon as they are used, meaning that they might be of use elsewhere…or they could be a red herring. There will also be items that he will find that are never used…more red herrings. The game approaches the inventory very logically. Obviously, if the item is consumed or eaten, it vanishes. But there is no reason that a screwdriver, used to turn a screw, can’t be placed back in the pack, similar to real life. It is a simple thought, but it goes a long way toward helping Planetfall to become a good game.
The real beauty in the game, however, is Floyd, the robot companion. He is one of the most interesting, and lifelike sidekicks in video gaming. The gamer will have to play this one to fully appreciate him, his humor and his presence. Give this one a go and see it for yourself.
