Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Mac, Texas Instruments TI-99
- Developers: Infocom
- Publishers: Infocom
Leather Goddesses of Phobos (1986): A Text Adventure with a Surprising Amount of Depth
Introduction
Leather Goddesses of Phobos is a text adventure game released in 1986 for the Commodore 64, Apple II, and Atari 8-bit family of computers. The game was developed by Lucasfilm Games (now LucasArts) and published by Activision.
The game is set in the year 1936, and the player takes on the role of an unnamed protagonist who is abducted by the Leather Goddesses of Phobos, a group of alien women who are planning to invade Earth and enslave humanity. The player must escape from the Leather Goddesses’ spaceship and return to Earth to warn humanity of the impending invasion.
Gameplay
Leather Goddesses of Phobos is a text adventure game, which means that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The game uses a standard text parser to interpret the player’s commands, and the player can use a variety of commands to explore the game world, interact with objects, and solve puzzles.
The game’s world is relatively small, but it is densely packed with detail. The player can explore the Leather Goddesses’ spaceship, the planet Phobos, and a variety of other locations. The game also features a number of puzzles, which range from simple to complex.
One of the unique features of Leather Goddesses of Phobos is its “naughtiness” level. The player can adjust the game’s naughtiness level between Tame (G), Suggestive (PG), and Lewd (R). The naughtiness level affects the game’s dialogue and descriptions, and it can also affect the difficulty of the game.
Story
The story of Leather Goddesses of Phobos is surprisingly complex for a text adventure game. The game begins with the player’s abduction by the Leather Goddesses, and the player must quickly learn to survive on the alien spaceship. The player must also learn to interact with the Leather Goddesses, who are a complex and enigmatic group of women.
As the player progresses through the game, they will learn more about the Leather Goddesses’ plans for Earth. The player will also learn about the Leather Goddesses’ own history and motivations. The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and it will keep the player guessing until the very end.
Characters
The characters in Leather Goddesses of Phobos are some of the most memorable in the history of text adventure games. The Leather Goddesses themselves are a complex and fascinating group of women. They are powerful and intelligent, but they are also flawed and vulnerable. The player will come to understand and sympathize with the Leather Goddesses, even as they try to enslave humanity.
In addition to the Leather Goddesses, the player will also encounter a variety of other characters, including the player’s allies and enemies. These characters are all well-developed and memorable, and they help to bring the game’s world to life.
Themes
Leather Goddesses of Phobos explores a number of complex themes, including the nature of good and evil, the power of love, and the importance of free will. The game also features a strong feminist message, and it challenges traditional gender roles.
The game’s themes are explored through its characters and story. The Leather Goddesses are a complex and contradictory group of women. They are powerful and intelligent, but they are also flawed and vulnerable. The player will come to understand and sympathize with the Leather Goddesses, even as they try to enslave humanity.
The game’s feminist message is also explored through its characters. The Leather Goddesses are strong and independent women, and they challenge traditional gender roles. The game also features a number of female characters who are not afraid to stand up for themselves.
Conclusion
Leather Goddesses of Phobos is a complex and rewarding text adventure game. The game features a compelling story, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes. If you are a fan of text adventure games, or if you are looking for a game with a unique and surprising story, then I highly recommend Leather Goddesses of Phobos.
Score: 8/10
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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