Platypus (video game)

Platypus is a horizontal scrolling shooter game created and designed by Anthony Flack, produced by George Bray, and programmed by Michael W. Boeh. The objective is to guide an antique spacecraft by utilizing the mouse in order to avoid and attempt to shoot enemies.

Platypus
Developer(s)Squashy Software[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Idigicon[lower-alpha 2]
Producer(s)George Bray
Designer(s)Anthony Flack
Programmer(s)Michael W. Boeh
Composer(s)Alistair Bowness
Chris Abbott
Darren Izzard
SeriesPlatypus
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Horizontally scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, Co-op

Gameplay
Windows version screenshot.

The player flies an antiquated spacecraft (the last of the fictional F-27 Platypus fleet) and attempts to defend the peaceful country of Mungola from neighboring Colossatropolis, which has become so overcrowded that its inhabitants are taking over Mungola for space and resources. The game consists of four levels, with five areas per level and a strong boss enemy that must be defeated at the end of the fifth area. The player can collect power-ups that affect the type and firing rate of the ship's weapons, equip auxiliary cannons, or activate defensive shields.

Points are scored for destroying enemies and collecting bonus items. In addition, at the end of each area, the player receives bonus points depending on the percentage of primary targets and enemy craft destroyed.

Development

All the artwork for the game was created using a process called Claymation. Flack has stated that due to limited availability of Plasticine in his home country of New Zealand at the time the game was created, he re-used the same lump of grey clay to create all the models, photographed them with a digital camera, and coloured the images in Adobe Photoshop. The music in Platypus on all platforms except iPhone consists of various remixes of Commodore 64 game tunes by various Commodore 64 composers, and performed by various remixers of Commodore 64 music. They originally appeared on CDs from the C64Audio.com label, and were licensed to Idigicon Ltd. by High Technology Publishing Ltd. The current publishers for all composers whose music appeared in the game except Jonathan Dunn who is represented by Bucks Music Publishing Ltd. and who at the time was unpublished. Where possible, full credits appeared in the distributions, albeit in text file form.

As of 2019, Anthony and Claymatic Games bought the license for Platypus, inlcuding its sequel.

Releases

Platypus was first released on CD in May 2002.[1] It was modified and distributed online by Retro64 from January 2004 and included an easy mode and mouse support.[2] A third build of the game (which can be distinguished as the score of Player 2 as yellow numbers and not red) included various bug fixes and was used for multiple localizations, including Chinese and Japanese versions. On November 14, 2006, Platypus saw a release for Sony's PlayStation Portable console.[3] On March 26, 2009 it became available for download on the PlayStation Network.[4] The game functions the same as its full PC downloadable version, but with minor changes for the PSP version, like the new screen size. On November 24, 2009, Platypus was released on Xbox Live Indie Games. On August 15, 2014, Platypus and Platypus II, were both released on Steam.[5]

Reception

Platypus was met with positive reception from critics.

Sequel

In February 2007, Idigicon released Platypus II, developed by Citric Games without the involvement of the original developer.[2]

Notes
  1. Ported to mobile devices by BitRabbit, PSP by MumboJumbo, Xbox 360 by Escapist Games
  2. Windows version was published digitally by Retro64 and KISS Ltd., mobile ports were published by Handmark, PSP port was published by MumboJumbo and Xbox 360 port was published by Escapist Games

References
  1. "Platypus (Game)". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2014-12-21. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  2. "Platypus". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  3. "Platypus Releases". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  4. "Platypus :: PSP Game Review". Kidzworld. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  5. "Platypus". Steam Spy. Archived from the original on 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  6. "Platypus for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. November 17, 2006. Archived from the original on 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  7. Kasavin, Greg (November 1, 2005). "Platypus Review - If you're a fan of the side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups that were popular in arcades and on video game consoles throughout the '80s and '90s, Platypus will be a real treat". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  8. Calvert, Justin (December 18, 2006). "Platypus Review - Platypus is a simplistic, short-lived shoot-'em-up with visuals and gameplay that are adequate rather than impressive". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  9. Kemps, Heidi (January 3, 2007). "Platypus (PSP) - An odd duck indeed". GameSpy. IGN. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  10. Lewis, Ed (December 7, 2006). "Platypus Review - Goofy graphics get wrapped around a generic and lifeless shooter". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  11. Andrew, Keith (December 11, 2008). "Game Review: Platypus (iPhone)". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  12. D'Aprile, Jason (February 8, 2007). "X-Play Review: Platypus (Sony PSP)". X-Play. G4 Media. Archived from the original on 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  13. Brasier, Jason (June 2, 2008). "Télécharger Platypus Game (Mac) - Un peu d'agressivité dans un monde de pâte à modeler !". Clubic (in French). Clubic SAS. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  14. Boutilier, Christian (December 18, 2006). "Platypus PSP Review". Extreme Gamer. Christian Boutilier. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  15. Carroll, Russell (February 6, 2004). "Act: Platypus [by Retro64] - Mini Review: Platypus". Game Tunnel. Russell Carroll. Archived from the original on 2004-12-17. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  16. Spitalieri, Mike (January 5, 2009). "iPhone - Platypus". MacLife. Future US. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  17. Podolsky, Andrew (June 11, 2009). "Platypus Review". Slide To Play. Slide To Play, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
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