Platypus

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"Platypus is a sci-fi shooter game with great mechanics, sensational visuals, and excellent music. The game features local multi-player options for up to 2 players in a split screen format, as well as single-player mode. The story revolves around the invasion of the neighboring country of Mungola by the industry-laden Collosatropolis, with the latter expecting little resistance."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 448 reviews

music66 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game is a nostalgic experience that brings back fond childhood memories for many players.
The claymation graphics and unique art style are visually appealing and have aged well.
The soundtrack is highly praised, with many players enjoying the music and its connection to their memories of the game.

The game can be difficult, especially at certain levels, which may frustrate some players.
There are compatibility issues on modern devices, with many players experiencing crashes or difficulty launching the game.
The game lacks customization options, such as resolution settings and audio controls, which can detract from the overall experience.

music
123 mentions
54 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its nostalgic and catchy quality, often describing it as "epic" and "amazing." The soundtrack, featuring remixes of classic chiptunes, enhances the gameplay experience and evokes fond memories for many players. However, some users noted minor issues, such as the music continuing to play during pauses, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm.
- “The soundtrack, the background, the boss theme was amazing.”
- “The music is top notch and there are some interesting little details like how there are power lines in the first level you can crash into if you're not careful.”
- “The claymation is amazing, the gameplay is well-tuned and gets pretty darned hard without being unfair, and the music is super-kicky -- great to get you in the mood for blowing stuff up!”
- “The only downside is, the music continues playing after you pause the game and the action goes out of tact.”
- “Why cut the boss music that lasts over 5 minutes to less than 40 seconds that you can clearly hear it being cut :(”
- “There are no resolution options, nor is there any audio options other than 'turn music on/off'.”
graphics
72 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's graphics, characterized by a unique claymation art style, have aged remarkably well and continue to impress players with their vibrant and colorful visuals. While some users report technical issues, particularly with NVIDIA graphics cards, the overall consensus is that the stunning graphics and creative design significantly enhance the gameplay experience. The combination of beautiful clay-like visuals and an engaging soundtrack makes it a standout title in its genre.
- “The graphics have aged incredibly well thanks to a unique art style, the music still slaps, and the gameplay is just as fun as I remember it being.”
- “Glorious claymation graphics - still holds up really well.”
- “The claymation graphics really give this game character.”
- “There can be errors with NVIDIA graphic cards, so I suggest you unplug your GPU if you encounter crashes or other problems.”
- “Graphics are dated but are still playable.”
- “Runs well on desktop Linux through Proton version 8.0, but don't try to tab out of the game as the visuals will freeze and require a reboot of the game to fix.”
gameplay
39 mentions
36 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a classic shoot'em up style, featuring simple mechanics that become increasingly challenging, with a mix of power-ups and intense action. While some players appreciate the addictive nature and well-tuned difficulty, others criticize certain design choices, such as the weapon withdrawal upon death, which can create frustrating gaps in gameplay. Overall, the unique art style and catchy soundtrack enhance the experience, though opinions on the gameplay's quality vary significantly.
- “The gameplay is simple: you are a plane with a gun, and you need to shoot other aircraft that usually have guns.”
- “The claymation is amazing, the gameplay is well-tuned and gets pretty darned hard without being unfair, and the music is super-kicky -- great to get you in the mood for blowing stuff up!”
- “The bright and colorful graphics hide the intense and frantic gameplay.”
- “Do not trust the overly positive review score on this game as the gameplay is just awful.”
- “The gameplay choices made in this game are just baffling.”
- “On the other hand, normal creates a giant gap in gameplay by a creative decision to withdraw your weapon upon death, which makes you feel increased enemy speed, intensity, and shooting probabilities even harder.”
story
12 mentions
17 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's story is often overlooked, with players noting its brevity and lack of depth, primarily revolving around a hero battling an alien ship. While some find the narrative minimal and repetitive, others appreciate the entertainment value it provides despite the thin storyline. Additionally, there are interesting backstories related to the game's development and licensing issues for those curious about its history.
- “Side note: when this first released, the original developer hardly made any money from it due to licensing reasons - there's plenty of information on that story out there for those who are interested in learning more.”
- “It may not even concern you, but the game actually has a story.”
- “I played this game like a decade ago, and I never knew the backstory until now.”
- “I'm still not sure about the story this far, but I guess it's about us being heroes shooting an alien ship?”
- “Very short, storyless, repetitive, but very very entertaining!”
optimization
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally good, allowing it to run smoothly on modern systems like Windows 11, especially with the recommended "direct play" app. However, some users have noted performance issues on newer devices and expressed a desire for better optimization specifically for Windows 10.
- “I'm so amazed that this game can run smoothly on Windows 11 (Legion 5, Ryzen 7 4800H, GTX 1650 Ti). Just install the recommended app called 'Direct Play' when opening this game.”
- “The only issue is the performance on a newer device, but other than that, it's still the same as when I played it more than a decade ago.”
- “This is a great game, but I wish it was more optimized for Windows 10.”
- “The only issue is the performance on a newer device, but other than that, it's still the same as I played it more than a decade ago.”
replayability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Despite its short length, the game offers good replayability, allowing players to revisit past stages for a fresh experience.
- “The game is short, but the replayability is excellent.”
- “Past stages are replayable.”
- “Past stages are replayable.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing fact that it only functions properly with Wine on Linux, which users find entertaining. This quirky limitation adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “It just works with Wine on Linux, which is kind of funny.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive combination of music, graphics, and sound design, creating a captivating and engaging experience for players.
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report minor sound glitches during startup and in the menu, but these issues do not impact gameplay, indicating a generally stable experience.
- “You may experience sound glitches on startup and in the menu, but it's not gameplay affecting.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy any extended play sessions.”
- “I've encountered several bugs that disrupt the experience, especially during loading screens.”