Retro Video Game Reviews: Infiltrator (NES)

Although it had iterations on the Apple II and Commodore 64, the final title combined aspects of its previous versions and ended up as the Infiltrator cartridge for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Combining two different forms of gameplay, both a helicopter flight simulator mode and a mission-oriented stealth overview form, this game boasts a richly detailed experience that demands both action-oriented skills and puzzle-solving know-how. While it will never be considered amongst the upper echelon of classic NES titles, it is largely overlooked and underestimated.Gameplay

The actual plot involvement is slated for a broad view, as each of the six total missions is long and multi-faceted, three each for helicopter and personal modes. In the chopper, you can switch between the first-person pilot view and the console, where you will need to either broadcast the correct codes to convince enemy craft to let you land, or defend yourself when they attack. Once on the ground, you must use forged papers to convince enemy personnel that you are a friendly, or use other means (gas, etc.) to incapacitate them while you search for specific objectives.

Graphics

The looks are not too sharp, with the characters on the ground being faceless frames of military personnel. The animations for mine explosions, walking, and others are crudely defined, and the overall level design is simplistic. The piloting views are not great either, with basic outline-type drawing for aircraft and simplified sprites for weapons fire. The appearances are definitely not the strength of this game, and seem to have been developed just about to the minimum extent necessary to make this a legitimate NES title.

Sound

The effects are subtle but effective, with the alarms that sound when your true allegiance is discovered in the enemy bases, or the quiet shuffling of files when you search offices. However, in other places, the sounds are almost laughably bad, such as the cartoony Doppler effect of opposing helicopters in flight coming in and out of your view. The music is cripplingly absent as well, offering no situational enhancement or atmosphere whatsoever.

Creativity and Innovation

Since the technical features of this game are lacking, it must shine in its replay value; fortunately, it does has some redeeming values. The novelty of putting forth two different full-fledged modes of play is impressive, since certain games (see the poor license-based title Airwolf for example) could not even pull off a single aspect well. The on-the-ground missions were appropriately difficult and gave the brain a workout, while helicopter combat was kept interesting on both a real-time and tactical level (can you switch to chaff to block the missiles before they strike your blades?).

In the end, it is not a wonderful adventure by any means, but it is worth some playtime and deserves a little more attention than it has received. For successfully combining two distinct modes of play into one gripping adventure to a fairly solid extent, Infiltrator earns a respectable three stars out of five.