P.P. Hammer and his Pneumatic Weapon
| Developer: Traveling Bits | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Demonware | Sound: |
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| Year: 1991 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Platformer | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
7/10 | |
You control a little worker equipped with a yellow hard hat and a jackhammer, hunting for treasure in a network of caves teeming with monsters and every kind of trap imaginable.
The gameplay feels reminiscent of Lode Runner (digging holes that magically fill themselves after a few seconds), while the almost impossible-to-avoid deathtraps bring to mind Rick Dangerous.
The mix of the two results in a game that’s both enjoyable and efficient. Plus, the 70 levels are accessible via passwords, and the difficulty ramps up at a steady pace.
My only gripe is the lack of the “frantic” pace of Lode Runner during enemy chases. There might be a few too many puzzles and traps and not quite enough critters for my taste. On a broader note, I’ve never been a fan of invisible walls in games, and while I’m at it, the controls could be a bit more responsive. For instance, trying to leap from a ladder to a platform is a 50/50 gamble at best.
Here’s a fun anecdote: according to YouTuber Guru Larry, this game “inspired” Mickey Mouse 4: The Magical Labyrinth (Game Boy, 1993), which was released in Japan before being rebranded under two different licences: The Real Ghostbusters in the US, and Garfield Labyrinth in Europe!
And finally, a shout-out to its spiritual successor: Spelunky (2013).
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