Summary
- Release Year: 1991
- Genres: Platform, Puzzle
- Platforms: Amiga, Commodore C64/128/MAX
- Publishers: Demonware
P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon: A Classic Puzzle Platformer
Released in 1991, P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon is a puzzle platformer game developed by Polish studio Metropolis Software and published by Apogee Software. The game is heavily inspired by the earlier title Lode Runner, but it introduces several new elements that make it a unique and challenging experience.
Gameplay
P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon is played from a side-scrolling perspective. The player controls P.P. Hammer, a construction worker who is on a quest to collect all of the treasures from a series of over 60 levels. The levels are divided into four graphical themes: Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Medieval castles, and ice. A fifth theme, LegoLand, appears on bonus levels.
Each level is made up of rectangular blocks, and contains various objects, including treasures, enemies, locked doors, bonus items, and traps. P.P. Hammer carries a jackhammer, which he can use to drill through blocks. However, drilling through more than one layer of blocks requires creating a triangle-shaped cavity more than one block wide, and blocks reappear after a short while. A block reappearing on top of P.P. Hammer kills him.
P.P. Hammer can collect treasures and various power-up potions lying around the level. When he has collected all of the treasures, the exit door opens, and going through the exit door completes the level.
Features
P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon features a number of unique elements that set it apart from other puzzle platformers. These elements include:
- Drilling: P.P. Hammer’s jackhammer allows him to drill through blocks, which opens up new possibilities for puzzle-solving.
- Triangle-shaped cavities: Drilling through more than one layer of blocks requires creating a triangle-shaped cavity more than one block wide. This adds an extra layer of challenge to the game.
- Block reappearance: Blocks reappear after a short while, which means that P.P. Hammer must be careful not to get trapped.
- Power-ups: P.P. Hammer can collect power-ups that give him special abilities, such as the ability to drill through blocks faster or to create bombs.
Reception
P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging puzzles, and charming graphics. The game was also a hit with speedrunners, who have developed a number of techniques to complete the game as quickly as possible.
Legacy
P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon is considered to be one of the best puzzle platformers ever made. It has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the PC, Amiga, Atari ST, and Game Boy. The game has also been included in several retro game compilations.
Tips for Playing
Here are a few tips for playing P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon:
- Use your jackhammer wisely. Drilling through blocks can be a great way to solve puzzles, but it’s important to be careful not to drill yourself into a corner.
- Be aware of block reappearance. Blocks reappear after a short while, so be careful not to get trapped.
- Collect power-ups. Power-ups can give you special abilities that can help you solve puzzles more easily.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to solve each puzzle, so don’t be afraid to try different things.
- Have fun! P.P. Hammer and His Pneumatic Weapon is a challenging but rewarding game. Take your time and enjoy the experience.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
