Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga
- Publishers: MicroIllusions
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux: A Surreal and Challenging Adventure
Released in 1989 for the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST, Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux is a unique and challenging adventure game that combines platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration. Players take control of the titular Dr. Plummet, a scientist who has been shrunk to microscopic size and must navigate a surreal and ever-changing mansion in order to restore himself to his normal size.
The game is known for its innovative use of physics and gravity, which allows Dr. Plummet to walk on walls and ceilings, and to use his momentum to swing across gaps and solve puzzles. The mansion is filled with hazards and enemies, and Dr. Plummet must use his wits and agility to overcome them.
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux was developed by the British company Magnetic Scrolls, which was known for its innovative and experimental adventure games. The game was praised for its originality, its challenging gameplay, and its atmospheric graphics and music. However, it was also criticized for its difficulty and its lack of a clear goal or direction.
Gameplay
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls Dr. Plummet as he explores a surreal and ever-changing mansion. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the player can move Dr. Plummet left and right, jump, and use his momentum to swing across gaps.
The mansion is filled with hazards and enemies, and Dr. Plummet must use his wits and agility to overcome them. He can use his momentum to swing across gaps, jump over obstacles, and crush enemies. He can also use his shrinking ability to fit through small spaces and to avoid detection.
The game’s physics engine allows Dr. Plummet to walk on walls and ceilings, and to use his momentum to swing across gaps and solve puzzles. This adds a unique and challenging element to the gameplay, and it forces the player to think creatively in order to progress.
Plot
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux begins with Dr. Plummet being shrunk to microscopic size by a mysterious experiment. He awakens in a strange and unfamiliar mansion, and he must find a way to restore himself to his normal size and escape.
As Dr. Plummet explores the mansion, he encounters a variety of strange and wonderful characters, including a talking cat, a giant spider, and a floating eyeball. He also learns that the mansion is home to a powerful artifact known as the Flux Capacitor, which can be used to control the flow of time and space.
Dr. Plummet’s ultimate goal is to find the Flux Capacitor and use it to restore himself to his normal size. However, he must first overcome the many challenges and hazards that the mansion has to offer.
Graphics and Sound
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux features colorful and atmospheric graphics that bring the surreal world of the mansion to life. The game’s backgrounds are filled with strange and wonderful details, and the character designs are both unique and memorable.
The game’s music is also excellent, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and immersion. The music is a mix of electronic and orchestral sounds, and it perfectly captures the game’s strange and wonderful world.
Reception
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux was released to critical acclaim upon its release in 1989. The game was praised for its originality, its challenging gameplay, and its atmospheric graphics and music. However, it was also criticized for its difficulty and its lack of a clear goal or direction.
Despite its flaws, Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux is a unique and rewarding experience that is sure to appeal to fans of adventure games and platformers. The game’s innovative use of physics and gravity, its surreal and atmospheric world, and its challenging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Legacy
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux has been cited as an influence on a number of later games, including Super Metroid, Braid, and Fez. The game’s innovative use of physics and gravity has also been used in a number of other games, including the Mario Galaxy series and the Portal series.
Dr. Plummet’s House of Flux is a classic adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s unique and challenging gameplay, its surreal and atmospheric world, and its excellent graphics and music make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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