Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Commander Keen: Aliens Ate My Babysitter! delivers a rich platforming experience rooted in exploration and precision. Players navigate an overhead map of the planet Fribbulus Xax, choosing which levels to tackle in any order—though access to some areas requires key items, like the grappling hook. This structure encourages backtracking and creative problem-solving, as you hunt for switches, hidden corridors, and locked doors that demand special tokens.

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Each individual level challenges Commander Keen with a mix of foes and environment hazards. From club-wielding Blooguards to toothy Flects that reflect your shots, enemies are placed thoughtfully to test both your shooting accuracy and timing. The pogo stick adds a vertical dimension to your jumps, enabling you to spring over pits, reach high ledges, and even bounce off certain adversaries for ingenious shortcuts.

Resource management plays a significant role in the gameplay loop. Your raygun’s ammo is limited in the early stages, gems are needed to open locked areas, and collectible Vivas act as both score items and extra lives. These intertwined mechanics ensure that every level feels rewarding to explore to its fullest extent and that finding the rare Queen Viva can be a true game-changer in tougher segments.

Graphics

Despite its 1991 vintage, Aliens Ate My Babysitter! boasts vibrant, hand-crafted pixel art that still resonates with retro lovers today. The varied environments—from neon-lit corridors to rocky caverns—are distinguished by bold color choices and clean outlines. Sprites are distinct and expressive, allowing you to quickly identify threats even in the heat of complex platforming sequences.

Animation is smooth for its era, especially considering the technical limitations of early MS-DOS hardware. Keen’s pogo jumps have a satisfying arc, and enemy movements feel deliberate, giving you a visual cue before an attack. Subtle touches, like blinking switch indicators and fumbling Blooguard patrols, add personality without overwhelming the player.

While the game’s resolution is low by modern standards, its simplicity contributes to immediate readability. There’s no visual clutter obscuring your path, making pixel-perfect jumps feel fair rather than frustrating. It’s a testament to id Software’s knack for marrying artistic flair with functionality, ensuring that the graphics serve the gameplay rather than distract from it.

Story

The narrative premise is delightfully whimsical: Molly, the babysitter for eight-year-old genius Billy “Commander Keen” Blaze, has been kidnapped by the Bloogs for what they consider an interplanetary delicacy. This tongue-in-cheek hook sets the tone for a lighthearted sci-fi adventure that never takes itself too seriously. You know you’re in for cartoonish fun the moment the top-down map introduces Fribbulus Xax with quirky labels.

As you rescue Molly, the story unfolds largely through simple cutscenes and on-screen text, but it packs more personality than some modern titles. Commander Keen’s self-assured quips and the Bloogs’ exaggerated villainy are charming reminders of gaming’s playful roots. Even without deep character arcs, the stakes feel personal—after all, you’re saving your babysitter from becoming alien chow!

What the game lacks in narrative complexity, it makes up for in pacing. Each completed level brings you back to the overhead map with a minor status update, keeping the rescue mission front and center. The simplicity of the tale allows the platforming to shine, while still giving you just enough motivation to push forward and uncover the next section of Fribbulus Xax.

Overall Experience

Commander Keen: Aliens Ate My Babysitter! remains a standout example of early 1990s platform design. Its blend of open-ended level selection, tight controls, and inventive enemy patterns creates an experience that feels both challenging and fair. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast or a new player curious about gaming history, this title offers hours of exploration and brain-teasing puzzles.

The difficulty curve is measured but unrelenting—expect to die if you rush, but also know that every mistake teaches you something new about enemy placement or level layout. The pogo stick mechanic, in particular, injects fresh dynamics into the standard jump-and-shoot formula and keeps each world feeling distinct. Replayability is high as you return to find missed collectibles or tackle more direct routes through unlocked areas.

In an era where many platformers adhere to linear progression, the non-linear map of Fribbulus Xax still feels surprisingly modern. The joy of uncovering secret passages, stocking up on ammo, and piecing together the rescue plan for Molly makes this entry a memorable chapter in the Commander Keen saga. For anyone seeking a nostalgic trip or a solid example of how platformers laid the groundwork for today’s genre, Aliens Ate My Babysitter! is a must-play.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10