Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Commander Keen Combo CD brings together five classic side-scrolling platforming episodes that showcase id Software’s early design prowess. Each installment—from “Marooned on Mars” to “The Armageddon Machine”—features tight controls and responsive physics. Players guide young Billy Blaze, aka Commander Keen, through intricate levels filled with enemies, traps, and secret areas. Despite its age, the game’s core mechanics remain satisfying: jumping, shooting with the pogo stick or raygun, and exploring every nook for hidden treasures.

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One of the compilation’s greatest strengths is the variety of level layouts and objectives. In the Vorticons trilogy (Episodes 1–3), you’ll navigate Mars’ deserts, space stations, and a perilous journey through the Vorticons’ home world. The challenges ramp up naturally, introducing new hazards and enemy types as you progress. Meanwhile, the “Goodbye Galaxy!” duology (Episodes 4–5) expands the sandbox with branching paths, puzzles that require clever item use, and larger environments to explore. This progression keeps the gameplay fresh across all five episodes.

The Combo CD also benefits from the original DOS foundations combined with enhanced audio CD tracks. While the core mechanics remain faithful to the floppy-disk releases, the inclusion of Red Book audio elevates the experience. Jumping between episodes is seamless, thanks to the CD’s streamlined menu. Modern players may need to employ DOSBox or a similar emulator, but once set up, the gameplay feels as immediate and engaging as it did in the early 1990s.

Graphics

Visually, the Commander Keen series is defined by its charming pixel art and bright color palette. On the Combo CD, the episodes run in their original VGA resolution of 320×200, preserving every detail of the handcrafted sprites and backgrounds. Keen’s little green helmet and red tunic pop against pastel environments, making enemies and platforms easily distinguishable. Each world boasts its own distinctive look, from the rusty metal tones of alien bases to the star-studded vistas of distant galaxies.

While there are no major graphical overhauls on the CD release, the compilation’s consistent presentation across five episodes feels like a cohesive art showcase. Animations remain crisp: Keen’s pogo hop, the death spiral, and the various alien foes all move with a jaunty frame rate. On modern displays, you may notice pixel scaling artifacts unless you enable integer scaling, but the retro aesthetic is part of the charm. Overall, the graphics maintain a timeless quality, appealing both to nostalgic fans and new players intrigued by vintage game design.

The Combo CD also ensures that graphic glitches common on original floppy installations are ironed out. The installer simplifies configuration, and the bundled episodes have been patched to run without the flicker or palette swapping errors that some early players encountered. Although purists might miss the occasional quirk, the overall presentation feels polished and reliable.

Story

Commander Keen’s narrative is delightfully simple yet full of personality. In Episodes 1–3, Earth is under threat as the Vorticons advance through the galaxy, forcing our young hero to leap into action. Each level ties into the overarching mission to save humanity, peppered with tongue-in-cheek humor and cheeky text boxes. The storyline may not rival modern epics, but its lighthearted tone and memorable villain designs give it a lasting appeal.

Transitioning into “Goodbye Galaxy!” the plot expands into cosmic proportions. Keen receives a distress call from the Crystal Orb, leading him to uncover a sinister plot against the Oracles of the Galaxy. These episodes introduce more dialogue, environmental storytelling, and mid-level cutscenes that heighten the drama. Though the narrative stakes are higher, the same playful writing ensures that even tense moments feel approachable and fun.

Across all five episodes, character and world-building are conveyed through minimal text and expressive visuals. There’s no elaborate lore dump—just concise missions, quirky NPCs, and a few iconic catchphrases. This brevity allows the game to advance quickly, keeping players engaged in the action rather than bogged down by exposition. For those who appreciate tight, goal-oriented stories wrapped in 16-bit charm, Commander Keen delivers in spades.

Overall Experience

The Commander Keen Combo CD is a compelling package for anyone interested in gaming history or classic platformers. It unites the complete “Invasion of the Vorticons” trilogy and the entire “Goodbye Galaxy!” saga into one easy-to-launch collection. Beyond its historical significance, the compilation provides timeless gameplay, endearing art, and a narrative that still brings a smile. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favorite or discovering Keen for the first time, the value here is undeniable.

Installation and setup are straightforward, especially when using modern DOS emulation tools that automatically detect audio tracks on the CD. The user interface feels like a love letter to ’90s PC gaming, complete with artwork and music that set the stage before you even start Episode 1. The inclusion of all five episodes means hours of platforming, exploration, and secret-hunting fun, making this an excellent purchase for collectors and casual fans alike.

In today’s gaming landscape, where 3D engines and photorealism dominate, the simplicity and mastery on display in Commander Keen are refreshing. The Combo CD stands as a testament to early creative risk-taking in level design and storytelling. For anyone craving a dose of nostalgia or curious about the roots of modern platformers, Commander Keen Combo CD remains a must-have compilation that continues to delight and inspire.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10