Driller (also known as Space Station Oblivion in the United States)
STORY
In the far future, the human race has abandoned Earth for the reaches of outer space, having ruined the planet in the relentless quest for resources and in endless conflict. In a desperate search to find a new home, they found Evath, a life-sustaining planet with two moons, Mitral and Tricuspid. They sent a ship, named “Exodus” to colonize this new planet with explorers, embryos and supplies. Generations passed, and the colony on Evath was formed. Without the rule of law, the oldest members of the Exodus’ crew, the Elders, were forced to take control, form an army and bring the rule of law to Evath…
Driller, released in 1987 for the Commodore 64, is a pioneering title in the realm of 3D gaming, utilizing the Freescape engine to create an immersive first-person exploration experience. Set on the moon Mitral, players navigate through eighteen distinct regions, each shaped like a rhombicuboctahedron, with the primary objective of placing drilling rigs to release gas pressure threatening to cause catastrophic explosions.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay involves maneuvering an excavation probe through these regions, where players must decipher clues from the environment—such as an “X marks the spot” in the initial area—to determine where to place drilling rigs. This process often requires a combination of observation and trial-and-error tactics. Players face security systems that can attack upon sight, necessitating strategic avoidance or disabling through various means. While some security systems can be shot at, others must be dealt with mechanically via switches or other interactive elements. The probe’s movement is somewhat limited; it cannot fly or hover but can adjust its height slightly using hydraulics. Falling off a platform results in being marooned on the moon’s surface, adding to the challenge. However, players can discover a garage containing a hovering vehicle that allows for exploration and combat against security systems, although it cannot be used to place drilling rigs.
Visual and Audio Presentation
Graphically, Driller presents a distinctive aesthetic characterized by chunky visuals and subdued colors that contribute to its atmospheric sci-fi setting. Despite being one of the earlier attempts at creating a fully explorable 3D world, the C64 version suffers from a lower frame rate compared to its contemporaries, which may detract from the experience for some players. Nonetheless, this slow pace aligns well with the game’s exploratory nature, allowing players to appreciate their surroundings without feeling rushed.
The music is really impressive, while the sound design isn’t much a thing, featuring typical blasting noises and ambient hums that do not significantly enhance the gaming experience. Critics noted that while the game had potential for impressive audio-visual integration, it fell short of expectations.
Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Driller received mixed reviews. It was praised for its innovative use of 3D graphics and engaging puzzle elements but criticized for its slow pace and technical limitations on the C64 platform. Notably, it garnered high scores from several publications—Your Sinclair rated it 9/10, while Zzap!64 awarded it 96%.
Despite these accolades, some reviewers felt that the game did not fully exploit the capabilities of the C64 hardware and was merely a port of earlier versions without significant enhancements. In retrospect, Driller stands as an important milestone in video game history, representing one of the first attempts at creating a fully realized 3D environment for players to explore. Its influence can be seen in later titles that embraced similar mechanics and design philosophies
THE REMAKE
The classic videogame 3D for ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, IBM PC Driller by Freescape is now a retro remake by ovine.net
Pilot your excavation probe, through eighteen platforms that cover the moon of Mitral. Find where to drill in each region to release a minimum of 60% of the gas trapped beneath. Beware, all is not what it seems…
DOWNLOAD DRILLER REMAKE , MANUAL, BOOK, MAP, TIPS°
