Platoon (2/677)

 

Overview:

Platoon, released in 1988, is a game based on the 1986 film sharing the same name. Your primary goal in this game is to make your way through Vietnam, survive enemy attacks, and defeat Sergeant Barnes. To complete this game, you will make your way through four levels.

Controls:

The controls in this game vary slightly in each stage. During the first stage, the up arrow jumps, walks up, enters huts, and examines objects. The down arrow ducks, walks down paths, and exits huts. The left and right arrows move in those directions. The A button throws a grenade, and the B button fires your weapon. 

During the second, third, and fourth stages, the d-pad moves your character and weapon crosshair in all directions. The A button doesn't do anything. The B button fires your weapon and searches for items. 

Weapons/Items:

There is a major lack of items and weapons in this game. There are no special guns or upgrades to collect. The items that can be collected include:

Ammunition: refills your gun's ammo

Medicine: replenishes one damage point

There are other items that you'll collect but they are mandatory so I'm not including them in this section. 

What I like:

1. Relationship to Movie:

I was struggling to find things I enjoyed about the game, so I decided to take a break and watch the movie. The game recreates notable scenes from the movie. Many movie ports on the NES have nothing or little to do with the movie; however, I wouldn't have known this without watching the movie. 

2. Hints in Manual:

When playing a game I always like to read through the manual before starting. The platoon manual provides a few hints for each level. Some of these are useful and can be used towards your success.

What I didn't Like:

1. Lack of Boss Fights

There is a major lack of bosses in this game. The first three levels don’t have a boss. The final level does have a boss, Barnes from the movie, but he doesn’t stand out from the other enemies in the level. Five hits and he is done. 

2. Aiming to Shoot Enemies in Tunnel Level

During the second level, the d-pad moves your character and your weapons crosshairs. Enemies pop into the screen with no warning. When moving through the tunnels your crosshairs will be pointed at the sides of the screen. You will take damage from the enemy before you can center your weapon.

3. No Continues

One of my biggest pet peeves is when a game doesn’t have continues. This is one of those games. While the game is only composed of four levels the levels are fairly difficult. If I didn't have to play the first two levels a bunch of times I think I would have enjoyed the game a little more.

4. Lack of Transitions Between Levels

Since the game is based on an Academy Award-winning film, it begs for cut scenes or illustrations between levels. What you get is the complete opposite. Most of the levels transition with a single line of text. You do get a cut scene at the end of the game, but much like the game, it's a disappointment.

Fun Facts:

1. Label Variant

There are two box variants for this game. The first print run featured the round rev-a seal of quality. This was manufactured between January 1988 through March 1989. The second print run has an oval shaped seal of quality. This was made after March 1989.

2. Nintendo Power Appearance

Platoon's only appearance (that I found) was in issue three. It appeared in the video shorts section. The section provides a brief description of the four levels. 

Tips:

1. Make Maps:

The first and second levels can be confusing if you don't know where to go. I found it very helpful to make maps showing the path for each stage and where the items you need to collect are located. I used the maps on gamefaqs rather than creating my own. 

2. Tapping the D-Pad to Center Crosshairs:

I mentioned one of my dislikes is aiming the weapon in the second level. I did find one way to help combat this flaw. If you slowly tap the d-pad in the direction you want to move, your crosshairs will center every time you let go of the button. Since the enemies typically appear in the center of the screen, you are more likely to hit them. 

3. Keep Moving on the Final Boss

It's hard to make an illustration of this. See my playthrough below if you want a visual aid. What you need to do is move side to side, avoiding Barnes bullets. This seems obvious but you need to move constantly. If you stop you’re going to get hit. While you are moving, you want to fire shots at the center of the bunker. Five hits, and you've completed the game. 

Conclusion:

As you've probably gathered from this blog, I did not enjoy this game. The game is repetitive and has boring gameplay. Unless you are a big fan of the movie or padding the number of NES you've completed, I would not recommend giving this game a try.