LogFAQs > #950543807

#26 Commander Keen in "Goodbye, Galaxy!" (MS-DOS, 1991)

In the early 90s, I played mostly PC games. Commander Keen was the premier side-scrolling platformer series for computer, and Goodbye Galaxy is by far the best game in the series. It consists of two "episodes" that involve boy genius Keen trying to save the galaxy from aliens intent on destroying it.



Keen can run, jump, and shoot, which all control like you would expect, but the unique thing about Commander Keen is his pogo stick which can be used to boost him up to heights he could not normally reach. The pogo stick can be pulled out at any moment and changes the way that the character moves and handles. Levels might be laid out horizontally and vertically, with secondary objectives such as finding keys or manipulating switches. There are secrets galore within the levels, and even a secret level that can be accessed through finding a hidden objective. A wide variety of enemies demand different tactics. Some move in predictable patterns and some are invincible, and so on. Keen goes down in one hit so dodging is essential.

Taking a cue from Nintendo, levels in each episode are spread out over an overworld and while some levels are locked behind others, much of the world is open and levels can be tackled in whatever order you choose. The levels take a lot of different themes, and they are mostly unique from each other. Commander Keen also took some cues from Sega, as the game as a decent amount of attitude. Keen is constantly smirking and quipping throughout the game, and there is an Easter Egg in which he moons the player.



The series abruptly ended when its creators got involved with Wolfenstein 3D and subsequently Doom. Can't really blame them for chasing the money, but it would have been neat to see where else 2D platformers could have gone on the PC. Only a few other well-made games came out after Commander Keen was done, and nothing else really lived up to its legacy.

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At least your mother tipped well