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A BIG THANKS to Alison Barclay of Astraware for providing the product for this review.

Here comes another fun and exciting shoot em up game from Astraware called Platypus based on the cult classic game of the same name for PC and Macs. This is a similar type of shoot em up game where the view is from the side and you’re shooting off to the right. Your objective is to shoot down all primary targets. There are secondary targets that you can shoot which can provide you with extra bonus weapons and points. The main difference with Platypus from other similar shoot’em up games is that the entire world is made of clay. Shoot down the target and watch it explode into a messy splat and hear it crackle or pop depending on what you hit. But watch out! If you’re too close to the explosion, you too can also get hit!

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

Platypus, as mentioned already is a typical shoot em up game set in a world of clay called Collosatropolis. You are the pilot of a F-27 fighter jet named Platypus and your mission is to defend the country of Mungola by shooting down the enemy ships, weapons as well as collecting fruit bonuses and temporary bonus weapons which can enhance your shooting accuracy. With higher accuracy, you’ll get more bonus points and extra fighters and pass into the next stage!

Here’s more information (taken from the website):

Based on the cult classic for PC and Mac, Platypus is a fast, frantic and fun side-scrolling arcade shooter with a difference - the entire game is made from clay! The vast continent-spanning city of Collosatropolis has finally reached the limits of its expansion, and tall buildings cover every available space. The Collosotropolan leaders have decided the simplest solution is to invade the neighbouring country of Mungola. They don’t anticipate much of a struggle - Mungolans are simple, earthy types without much love for industry. In fact, Mungola’s entire defence force consists of a single squadron of fighter planes - the venerable F-27 ‘Platypus’.

Your mission is to pilot your trusty Platypus and save peaceful Mungola! Fly across the squashy fields and trees, avoid the snowy mountains and protect your planet. Shoot down the enemy ships and marvel as they disappear in a splat! Collect fruit bonuses and a range of power-ups to aid you in your quest!
More information on Platypus

Pilot your trusty Platypus and save peaceful Mungola in the squishiest arcade shooter ever!

* Defend peaceful Mungola from the invading Collosotropolans
* 4 massive clay worlds to explore
* 20 challenging levels of squishy side-scrolling fun
* A range of powerups to enhance your firepower and boost your score
* Fantastic music soundtrack inspired by classic Commodore 64 games

Requirements

Palm OS

Palm OS® 5

Color Screen

* Native 320×320 (Hi-Res)
* Compatible 320×480 (Portrait)
* Compatible 480×320 (Landscape)

Please Note:
Due to limitations on available device memory, the Tungsten T, T2, E, E2 Zire 71, Zodiac, Zodiac 2, the Sony CLIÉ UX series and Garmin iQue 3600 are not compatible with this product.

This product is not compatible with the Zire 21, Zire 31, Z22, Treo 600, Qool QDA 700, PiTech W300 or any Palm OS® handheld without at least a 320×320 screen.

Pocket PC/Windows Mobile Professional:

* Windows Mobile® 2003SE
* Windows Mobile® 5.0
* Windows Mobile® 6 Classic
* Windows Mobile® 6 Pro

Color Screen

* Native 240×240
* Compatible 240×320 (QVGA)
* Native 320×240 (QVGA Landscape)
* Compatible 480×640 (VGA)
* Scaled 640×480 (VGA Landscape)

Please Note:
Supports ‘Portrait’ mode by rotation into Landscape.

Windows Mobile Standard Edition

* Windows Mobile® for Smartphone 2003SE
* Windows Mobile® for Smartphone 5.0
* Windows Mobile® 6 Standard

Color Screen

* Compatible 240×320 (QVGA)
* Native 320×240 (QVGA Landscape)

Please Note:
Supports ‘Portrait’ mode by rotation into Landscape.

This product is not compatible with any device with a 176×220 screen.

Video of Platypus

Alternative video link: Blip.tv

Here are my observations:

First of all, I have to admit that I love shoot ‘em up games since they are very easy to play and pick up and take no extra time to set up any strategies. Simply, run it and play. Some of my favorite games are shoot em up games like Galaga, 1941 and others so obviously I am slightly biased with regards to these types of games so keep that in mind when reading my opinion.

I love how the idea of the typical shoot ‘em up has been changed to reflect a different setting of a world of clay. It’s a lot of fun to be playing in such a different environment. It’s very cool to be shooting down the enemy planes to watch them “splat” and hear various different sounds when the enemy ships explode. They range from something like firecracker pops to more explosive sounds. I also enjoy how the game has the option to set the fighter to shoot automatically, eliminating the need for repetitive taps of the stylus to shoot. You can opt to shoot manually as well if you prefer.

The background tends to change over time, very much like if you were flying across the landscape. You may find yourself flying at night or over tanks, or forests and the background moves realistically as if you were passing by them. It is very well created and designed.

I really enjoy being able to get bonus points by collecting fruits, or getting special weapons. I am however a bit disappointed that there weren’t more special weapons available. Unlike 1941 or 1943, I’m unable to blast out all the enemy planes with a “lightning” feature or do a loop de loop or other action to enhance the game play. Of course, I do realize that this is based on the PC and Mac Platypus game that doesn’t offer these features so obviously, Astraware must adhere to what the original game offered. Keep in mind that these are simply my observations.

I am also a bit disappointed that the sound and music volume settings isn’t like other Astraware games where I can set it at a specific level I wanted with a slider control. In Platypus, there are 3 bars for each of music and sounds. Even at 1 bar, I found that it was too loud so I ended up turning off the music. I did however enjoy that the music does change with the different stages or background to make it less repetitive.

The size of the game, which is over 4 MB in size for the Windows Mobile version and 3.6 MB for the Palm OS can be a big deal since we all know how RAM is precious in our smartphone devices. Installing the game on the expansion card, on my Windows Mobile Treo 750 worked just as fine. I think you may also be able to run the Palm OS game on the SD card with something like PowerRun as well, although I have not tried it myself.

Although the game is very easy to play, I find that over time, I may find that there isn’t enough of a challenge to keep me playing. It would be great if there were more variations to the shooting, the maneuvering of the ship and other features other than shooting at enemy objects off to the right.

One last thing I’d like to mention is that this game has given it an arcade feel to it with the “credits”. Even when my game is supposedly finished, there are still some “credits” that I can use to continue on, but of course, my points is wiped out and starts from 0. I think this is a great idea to give the game that nostalgic arcade feel that many of us “older” players yearn for.

Review Summary

Astraware’s Platypus is a very fun and engaging shoot ‘em up game that will appeal to a wide range of players. It’s very simple to figure out. Simply move your stylus and the Platypus ship will move in that direction. Since the game offers automatic shooting, you can concentrate on moving your ship around and avoid getting shot or hit. I did find that the game can get a bit boring after a while since you are shooting the enemy objects off to the right practically all through the game and there aren’t many variations aside from the objects you are shooting and the background. Regardless, I think Astraware has done a great job of bringing another shoot’em up game to mobile gamers that will appeal to those who love shoot’em up games like myself.

Download Platypus from the following sites:

Astraware for Palm OS, Windows Mobile Pro edition, Windows Mobile Standard Edition

Handango:

Palm OS

Platypus Palm OS

Windows Mobile Professional Edition

Platypus Windows Mobile Professional Edition

Windows Mobile Standard Edition

Platypus Windows Mobile Standard Edition

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Astraware and Handango and purchases made with the affiliate links in this post and throughout the site will help keep Palm Discovery running as well as paying for future giveaways offered from time to time. Thanks to your generosity, $20 was donated to Plan Canada (formerly Foster Parents Plan International) in 2006 and $85 was donated in 2007.

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