Platypus Review

Platypus is a 2005 computer arcade game, later released for the PSP, PSN and Xbox Live platforms. Platypus puts you in control of an old, yet handy spacecraft in charge of defending planet Mungola against a never-ending enemy swarm. The goal is to defeat baddies from the planet Colossatropolis, who seek to overcome Mungola’s natural and technological resources. The game follows a traditional horizontal perspective where you shoot anything that moves while collecting various items for your ship’s benefits.

Gameplay mechanics are simplistic, although user-friendly and generally attractive to casual and hardcore players. Prior to initializing a campaign, you can select between “Easy,” “Normal” or “Hard” difficulty levels, which directly affect the way you play. For example, the Easy mode is convenient for first-time players as well as users who don’t normally play many video games. The latter options are suitable for experienced players and/or those looking for a good thrill at the risk of losing often while playing.

That said, Platypus’ levels get increasingly more difficult by varying the amount of enemies that attack you simultaneously. Moreover, rivals will often appear from the left side of the screen in hopes of making your ship crash against theirs. Being a horizontal shooter, many users naturally seek comfort by steering clear of most enemies, which usually come from the right side of the screen. If things get overly difficult, however, you get a new life for every 10,000 points you score while defeating other ships.

The game’s graphics are spectacular for its genre. Similar games were mostly available during the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis era. Thus, it is common for this type of shooter to possess average graphical capabilities. However, Platypus makes an exception by opting for a clay-like engine, which makes it stand out from other arcade games. The graphics only become more impressive as players advance through each level, exposing new and exciting locales that are nothing short of breathtaking.

On the negative side, Platypus has a nasty habit of being overly repetitive. As previously stated, your goal is to shoot anything that moves while acquiring temporary abilities. These normally consist of fast weapons aimed at powerful enemies, or slower ones targeted at multiple incoming ships simultaneously. Platypus’ replay value largely depends on how well you wish to score within the game, which rates your success at the end of each level. Lastly, you may also play with a friend locally and pass the entire game with ease.

All in all, Platypus is a welcome addition to a casual player’s existing library. The game is filled with nostalgia from popular space shooters of yesteryear. Unfortunately, hardcore players looking for intense and varied action will likely have to look elsewhere.