Commander Keen

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,000 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Commander Keen Game Cover
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Commander Keen is a classic side-scrolling platformer series that follows the adventures of an 8-year-old genius named Billy Keen. As Commander Keen, Billy travels through space to protect Earth from alien invasions, using his wits and an arsenal of gadgets. With challenging levels and creative enemy designs, the game offers a fun and nostalgic experience that will appeal to fans of retro gaming.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Ms Dos
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,000 reviews
graphics23 positive mentions
stability5 negative mentions
  • Commander Keen is a nostalgic classic that brings back fond memories for many players.
  • The gameplay is fun and challenging, with precise controls and creative level design.
  • The pack includes multiple episodes, providing hours of entertainment for fans of retro platformers.
  • The 'Complete Pack' is misleading as it does not include Keen Dreams or Aliens Ate My Babysitter.
  • The DOSBox port has issues with graphics and controls, making it less enjoyable on modern systems.
  • Some levels can be frustratingly difficult, leading to a steep learning curve for new players.
  • graphics73 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a mix of nostalgia and dated visuals, with many reviewers noting that while the earlier episodes feature rough and simplistic graphics typical of the 90s, later episodes showcase improved art styles and smoother animations. Some players appreciate the charming retro aesthetics, while others find the graphics lackluster compared to modern standards. Overall, the game is recommended for those who value gameplay and nostalgia over cutting-edge visuals.

    • “I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had been updated with modern graphics that look amazing on my HDTV.”
    • “Great looking graphics, sprites, and animation.”
    • “Keen 4 is a big step up in terms of graphics and playability.”
    • “Unfortunately, this product is just a lazy DOSBox port with blurry graphics and an awkward user interface.”
    • “In terms of graphics, it is far, far away from modern franchises like Starcraft or Mass Effect or Fallout or Elder Scrolls (or any other big name in sci-fi and fantasy) but... it has a story.”
    • “The graphics of this game look so old it is almost as bad as an MS-DOS game.”
  • story62 mentions

    The story of the Commander Keen series revolves around an 8-year-old genius named Billy Blaze, who constructs a spaceship from household items to embark on intergalactic adventures and protect Earth from various extraterrestrial threats. While the narrative is simple and often humorous, it captivates players of all ages with its quirky charm and engaging lore, making it a nostalgic favorite among retro platformer enthusiasts. Despite its straightforward plot, the series is celebrated for its fun gameplay and memorable characters, appealing to those who appreciate a lighthearted story in their gaming experience.

    • “It doesn't matter if you are 6, 16, or 66 years of age, this series will captivate you with a story of heroics in a simple, funny, and yet truly engaging way.”
    • “The story of these games is simple: a young 8-year-old genius, Billy Blaze, codenamed Commander Keen, must protect Earth from any extraterrestrial threat.”
    • “John Carmack and id Software proved that the PC was capable of playing host to a fun and colorful shooter with their series of entertaining and unique platforming titles featuring smooth scrolling, detailed graphics, and a unique storyline involving eight-year-old genius 'Billy Blaze' and his intergalactic spaceship constructed of various household odds and ends.”
    • “While there is a story behind Commander Keen's adventures, I wouldn't say that story is ever the central part of playing the games.”
    • “There's not much more to the plot than basic concepts, anyway.”
    • “This game's story makes Lord of the Rings look like it was written by retarded children on meth.”
  • gameplay60 mentions

    The gameplay of Commander Keen is characterized by its challenging platforming mechanics, particularly the unique pogo stick feature that adds a fun twist to traditional gameplay. While the first three episodes exhibit clunky controls and frustrating segments, episodes four and five significantly improve upon these aspects with better graphics, level design, and overall fluidity, making them the standout entries in the series. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm, humor, and the balance of challenge and enjoyment, although some may find the earlier titles less polished.

    • “Gameplay is way harder than I remembered (as if I didn't just use god mode XD) and the Keeniverse is packed with fun little details.”
    • “The pogo stick mechanic is the big differentiator in the Keen franchise and it added a great element of fun to what would otherwise have been a routine, and possibly failed game concept.”
    • “Challenging yet fun gameplay that features bouncing around on a pogo stick and zapping aliens with a raygun, what more could you ask for?”
    • “The controls are clunky and unresponsive, items do not have an initial easily figured out use, and the maze-like platforming gameplay can become frustrating quickly if you don't have the patience for it.”
    • “Commander Keen 1, 2 & 3 don't hold up well in terms of gameplay; controlling Keen's movement is clunky.”
    • “While it did have a feature-rich engine in comparison to the prior two, it was rushed out of development and as such the gameplay balance is somewhat out of whack.”
  • music37 mentions

    The music in the Commander Keen series is a mixed bag, with early titles (1-3) suffering from a lack of soundtracks, leading to a jarring experience due to their silence. However, from episode 4 onwards, the introduction of Bobby Prince's compositions significantly enhances the gameplay, providing catchy and well-composed tracks that evoke nostalgia and complement the game's atmosphere. While some players note that the limited number of tracks can become repetitive, the overall quality of the music in the later games is widely praised.

    • “The music used in all the levels is always a delight to hear.”
    • “A great soundtrack, and really brings me back to my 'good ol days'.”
    • “Hailing id Software's first venture into the software industry and marking the first time a smooth-scrolling platformer had appeared on the system, Commander Keen boasts nice graphics, fun gameplay, music by the one and only Bobby Prince (though only in episodes 4-6) and a great sense of humor.”
    • “There's precious little sound or music, especially in the early games.”
    • “It still sucks in a way how you're basically listening to absolute silence for most of the time and the more you play it the more you still wish to hear some kind of music that is not some kind of sound effect from the game.”
    • “The music is just painful to listen to; it's so convoluted.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the Commander Keen series is widely praised for its quirky, charming, and often silly nature, appealing to players of all ages. Reviewers highlight the engaging storylines, funny character interactions, and humorous level designs that contribute to a nostalgic and enjoyable gaming experience. Overall, the series is celebrated for its lighthearted approach and memorable comedic elements, making it a standout in retro platforming.

    • “Funny background story, interesting level design, and memorable enemies make this a great adventure.”
    • “If you love quirky and charming humor, this series will definitely appeal to you.”
    • “Fantastic old school PC platform filled with quirky Apogee humor.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report a generally smooth experience with minor glitches, others highlight significant bugs and issues, particularly questioning the completeness of the product. The presence of nostalgic elements is appreciated, but the inconsistency in performance and the lack of a promised episode detract from the overall experience.

    • “No glitches or problems that the originals didn't have.”
    • “Runs great.”
    • “Releasing such a buggy and incomplete product should be illegal... and why the heck is it called 'complete pack' when there is no 6th episode?”
    • “It is very buggy; if this got fixed, I would recommend it.”
    • “Overall, while the game does have some flaws and a couple of glitches here and there, it is a fantastic game and can really scratch the nostalgia itch.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game series offers high replayability through its unique alien language mechanic, which encourages players to revisit earlier titles to uncover hidden messages and jokes. Additionally, the presence of secret and optional levels enhances the overall replay value, making it an engaging experience that can keep players occupied for hours.

    • “Keeps one busy for hours, and has high replay value.”
    • “8/10 replayability - secret levels and optional ones lead to some really good replays.”
    • “Beyond the platformer-style action, the games even cultivated replayability via an alien language (basically a sort of Morse code) that is revealed slowly through the first three games. Finding out the code for the language allowed you to go back and read certain messages on signs that were present in the first two games, which has some amusing jokes and health-and-safety warnings written for the enemies you'd find throughout the various levels.”
    • “Especially since all these games are so replayable.”
    • “Replay value:”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and disappointment, with some players finding it heartwarming and reminiscent of childhood, while others express frustration over its potential being overshadowed by flaws. Overall, it elicits strong feelings, ranging from joy and nostalgia to sadness and disillusionment.

    • “Classic, made me feel like a kid again.”
    • “If you want to play a heartwarming game that will fill you with nostalgia you didn't even know you had, try this one.”
    • “I cried when I saw what Bethesda wants to turn it into.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for misleading advertising, particularly in promoting a "complete pack" that omits key titles, leading to disappointment among players who expect a full experience. This approach is viewed as a retro cash grab, with concerns that new players may be unaware of the missing games, further exacerbating frustration rather than evoking nostalgia.

    • “There is misleading advertising calling it the 'complete pack' even though it is missing Keen 6, 'Aliens Ate My Baby Sister,' and 'Keen Dreams.'”
    • “This feels like a retro cash grab, similar to the mobile version of Keen.”
    • “The issue isn't the politics behind why they can't offer the rest of the games; it's the misleading advertising that presents it as a complete pack, leaving players unaware that they are not getting the full experience.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere as a standout feature, praising its creepy and nostalgic qualities that evoke a sense of unease and immersion. Many feel that this atmospheric depth is a rarity in contemporary games, making it a memorable experience.

    • “The setting and atmosphere are truly captivating.”
    • “The first one is my favorite because I love the creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Nostalgia and a game with the atmosphere that many games are missing these days.”
    • “Setting and atmosphere.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring excessive time and effort to progress.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But it feels tedious and it pisses me off.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally considered decent but struggles to run smoothly on modern hardware without the aid of mods or workarounds, indicating that the port may not fully leverage contemporary system capabilities.

    • “The game has some great optimization features that allow it to run smoothly on a variety of systems.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised by how well the game performs after tweaking a few settings; it really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “With the right adjustments, the game can run beautifully even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
11-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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