Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure, Arcade
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Publishers: Alternative Software Ltd, Piranha
Flunky (1987): A Right Royal Adventure
Released in 1987, Flunky is an adventure game developed and published by Mikro-Gen for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC. The player takes on the role of a flunky, a male servant, who must perform various tasks for the British Royal Family.
The game is set in Buckingham Palace, and the player must complete five tasks in order to progress:
- Light all the fires in the palace.
- Fetch a toy boat from the bath for Prince Andrew.
- Get some freckles for Fergie.
- Find a wig for Diana.
- Complete a mystery task for the Queen.
To gain access to each room in the palace, the player must collect the signatures of the various royals. This can be done by completing tasks for them, or by simply finding them and asking for their signature.
Flunky is a challenging and witty game, with a variety of puzzles to solve. The player must use their wits and ingenuity to complete the tasks, and avoid the various hazards that await them in the palace.
The game was well-received by critics, with many praising its humor, graphics, and gameplay. It was a commercial success, and was followed by a sequel, Flunky 2, in 1989.
Gameplay
Flunky is a point-and-click adventure game. The player uses the cursor to interact with the environment and the characters in the game. The player can move around the palace by clicking on the doors, and can interact with objects by clicking on them.
The player must complete the five tasks in order to progress. The tasks can be completed in any order, but some tasks require the player to have completed other tasks first. For example, the player cannot get a wig for Diana until they have found some freckles for Fergie.
The player must also collect the signatures of the various royals in order to gain access to the different rooms in the palace. The player can collect signatures by completing tasks for the royals, or by simply finding them and asking for their signature.
Characters
The player character in Flunky is a young flunky named Albert. Albert is a loyal and hardworking servant, but he is also a bit of a klutz. He is often getting into trouble, but he always manages to get out of it with a smile on his face.
The other characters in the game are the members of the British Royal Family. The player will encounter the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince Andrew, and Fergie. Each of the royals has their own unique personality, and the player must learn how to interact with them in order to complete the tasks.
Setting
Flunky is set in Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British Royal Family. The palace is a large and complex building, and the player will explore many different rooms during the course of the game. The palace is full of hidden secrets, and the player must be careful not to get lost.
Puzzles
Flunky is a puzzle game, and the player must solve a variety of puzzles in order to progress. The puzzles are all logic-based, and the player must use their wits to solve them. Some of the puzzles are simple, while others are more complex.
One of the most challenging puzzles in the game is the mystery task for the Queen. The Queen wants the player to find her a new pet, but she doesn’t tell the player what kind of pet she wants. The player must search the palace for clues to figure out what kind of pet the Queen wants.
Reception
Flunky was well-received by critics, with many praising its humor, graphics, and gameplay. It was a commercial success, and was followed by a sequel, Flunky 2, in 1989.
The game was particularly praised for its humor. The writing is witty and charming, and the characters are all very likeable. The game also features some great puzzles, which are challenging but fair.
Overall, Flunky is a well-made and enjoyable adventure game. It is a must-play for fans of the genre, and it is also a great game for anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
Legacy
Flunky is considered to be one of the classic adventure games of the 1980s. It is still enjoyed by many gamers today, and it has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, the Mac, and the iOS.
The game has also been referenced in popular culture. In the TV show The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper is a big fan of Flunky, and he often quotes the game.
Flunky is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. It is a charming and challenging adventure game that is sure to provide hours of fun.
Review Score
7/10
