Computer Fun, v1(1)

~2 minute read

Apr 1984

HITS AND MISSILES

Planetfall ■ ■ ■ ■

George Kopp

Infocom/ At, Ap, C64, IBM

From the second you open the package to this rollicking outer space adventure you know you are in for a good time, and the fun never lets up. Of all the Infocom text adventures we've played so far, Planetfall is the ideal combination of brain-testing and satisfaction. Here's what you get in addition to your program disk: One (1) Stellar Patrol ID Card (destruction of which is "punishable by death"); three (3) picture post cards from outer space ("Wriggle on over to NEBULON! Home fo the WORM PEOPLE"); one (1) diary (complete with doodles) belonging to the lowliest of the low space cadets (you).

Even with all this support material, however, you still have no idea of what you're supposed to do in Planetfall until you're about a third of the way through the adventure. What you do a lot of is exploring, and Planetfall gives you lots of real estate to poke around in. You also get to drive a subway train and sing a ballad to a robot.

The authors have spared no imagination in devising the subtle details sprinkled throughout. There's the Esperanto of outer space, for instance -- something called Galalingua. In Galalingua, "Infocom games" is translated "Infokom gaamz". Early on, an ambassador from some unpronounceable planet hands you a brochure describing these futuristic entertainments. If you happen to run across the brochure later in the adventure the computer will say, "Unfortunately, one of those stupid brochures is here."

The authors also pay due homage to one of their inspirations, the classic radio drama and series of books, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's not long before you find a towel inscribed with the reassuring phrase, "Don't Panic!" Although the Hitchhiker's Guide recommends that you "always carry a towel", never jump to conclusions -- there are enough red herrings in Planetfall to fill a whole other adventure game. In fact, when you get to the end you are even promised a sequel. Don't miss the sequel to this review, by the way, in which I tell you about the time I helped someone sharpen a pencil.

This article appeared in
Computer Fun
Apr 1984

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