Why oh why is there NOT a password system?
The game was released about a year after the movie with the same name.
Graphics:
Considering the four different styles of game-play, the graphics are varied and smooth. There are some sprite detection glitches though, for example in the first part of the game, where you are in the jungle, when you start to walk up or down to move into the next "area" you become invulnerable to enemies and their fire. Ironically enough, without this flaw the first part of the game would be way too difficult. The use of colors is great. The first part is seen as a side-scrolling shooter where you have to make it through the jungle and pick up explosives and destroy a bridge that leads to a village which you need to search for clues to continue down the tunnels. The tunnel-rat part, which is the second part of the game, is seen from a first person perspective where you have to trudge through knee-deep murky water and gun down soldiers as they attack. There are several areas and rooms that need to be explored. There are a lot of cool details in this part of the game. The third part is an Operation wolfish part as you defend the perimeter from attacking VCs during night time. A cool thing is that you can use your flare gun to get a better visual of your enemies. Again, the use of colors to create a certain mood is awesome. The fourth, and last, part of Platoon is another 2-d, third-person perspective, seen from behind view, ala Ikari warriors but with bigger and nicer looking sprites. The intro pictures a silhouette of a platoon in the jungle with the awesome soundtrack in the background and it makes you want to play the game. The overall level design is only average. This becomes painfully clear in the first part where trip-wires are randomly scattered across the trails and sometimes they appear at places that are so stupid and illogical, like at the roots of a tree at the end of the area where there is no reason whatsoever to tread. The last part of the game is also strangely set up and features a very weird level-design. On the other hand, the second part of the game works brilliantly and there has been a lot of thought put into the design.
85%
Sound:
One of the best soundtracks of a game ever! There are a few tunes in the game and they are all state of the art. As a side-note: If you ever come across the C64 version of the game, take your time to listen to the SID-chip enhanced version of the music. Awesome doesn't even come close. The sound effects enhance the experience for sure. Explosions and weaponry sound really good and there are a few death-yells too for your listening pleasure.
83%
Game play:
Well, it's a 2d shooter with all its flaws and charms. The first part is the side-scrolling part where you have to find the explosives hidden in the jungle then backtrack and take another route to a bridge where you'll plant the explosives. Enemy soldiers come running, jump down from trees and even pop out of the very ground to try to kill you. After a while you learn the attack patterns and where to go. A cool thing is that there is a morale meter between your ammo and health statistics. If you get hit or shoot innocent villagers you'll lose morale. There's a village that needs to be searched for provisions, a map and a torch. Finally, you need to find the trapdoor to the tunnel system. The second part is a first-person perspective shooter and it has a map, not unlike the map of Skara Brae from Bard's tale, in the top right corner and enemies come at you from all angles, including from underneath the water surface. You'll need to search rooms for stuff. This part is really cool and you'll need to keep track of your ammo at all times. Searching rooms is also a fun game-play enhancer that makes the game-play feel varied. There's also some humor sneaked in like when you look at a stool it says:"looks like a stool to me!" The third part is really only a short mini game but works well to break down the game-play. You control a crosshair and shoot approaching enemies. Fun for as long as it lasts, which isn't very long. In this level you also get to use a flare-gun. The final part of platoon is a vertical shooter seen from behind and is really, really hard! It's incredibly fast and you'll have to take out a number of enemies before you can continue alternatively you can run-and-gun your way to the top of the screen and then choose your path. You also have to evade sniper-fire. You have no idea where you're going or what to do but after you finish the level there's a nice cut-scene/outro for you as a reward!
73%
Lastability:
Had the game consisted of only 1 part of the game it wouldn't have been much to come back for but because of the variation of game-play, sound and visuals in the levels it's actually worth picking up again but chances are that you'll die several times before you get to the part you want to re-play. Why oh why is there NOT a password system?
54%
Overall:
Platoon is a cool game that should be played through by everyone. It's not as impossible as one may think although level 1 and 4 are very tough. If you like a challenge and old-school run and gun, this game's for you!
76%