E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

1. BloB__

   Oct 13, 2017

   10

   E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (Atari 2600) - 1982
   
   E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is one of those classic video games, a household name among evenE.T. the Extra Terrestrial (Atari 2600) - 1982
   
   E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is one of those classic video games, a household name among even the least scholarly gamer. It's simple charm and lovable features make it one of those games that you just can't put down. Or even pick up. But what is it that makes this game such a deserved staple of early gaming history? In this review I'll be discussing 3 main reasons - from it's history to the sounds and sights that make this gem tick.
   
   GAMEPLAY AND DESIGN
   In E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, players get to experience the journey of E.T., a cute and cuddly alien best known for his work in E.T. the Extra Terrestrial: The Movie. He can be controlled using the 2600's Joystick, providing 360 degrees of smooth navigation. E.T. can also be prompted to extend his neck, a move that has as many applications as it does frames. During the course of the game E.T. must explore six varied and recognisable areas from the film whilst collecting Reese's Pieces, a popular peanut-butter-chocolate snack. After navigating these unforgettable landscapes, dodging angry behatted FBI agents and making several phone calls, E.T. will finally be escorted home by a flying saucer. But the fun doesn't stop there! Upon completing the game, it all begins again with newly randomised puzzle pieces. This feature in particular offers high replay value to the game, boasting near infinite hours of unforgettable fun.
   
   GRAPHICS AND SOUND
   The iconic locales and artwork in E.T. the Extra Terrestrial harken to Spielberg's masterful directing from the original movie. Eye-wateringly beautiful vistas greet the player around every corner. One of such vistas is The Pit, an area that players will want to revisit again and again. The sheer number of different colours and combinations of colours in this game are astounding, and make an impressive sight even for the 8-bit era it was released in, putting several modern games to shame.
   
   Upon first opening the game, players will be confronted to an exquisitely orchestrated rendition of E.T. the Extra Terrestrial: The Movie's title score. The monophonic and monotonic overtones create a beautifully simplistic overture that fits perfectly with the minimalistic ideology of the game as a whole. The sound effects in-game echo this also: desolate pitter-patters of E.T.'s feet as he forges his way across America, bleeps and bloops that mimic the alien and strange nature of the titular E.T. himself, the list goes on. As far as the Atari 2600's hard-drive will allow it.
   
   HISTORY AND LEGACY
   As a Christmas release, fans of E.T. and parents of fans of E.T. across the globe were scrabbling to pre-order what promised to be a release for the ages, bundled with Atari's new console, the 2600. Demand for the game was so high, in fact, that the game sold 1.5 million units - far more than the 2600 itself. Alas, all 1.5 million copies of this shining diamond of a game have become obscured by history, becoming metaphorically buried far, far down below in the metaphorical desert that is the gaming industry.
   
   While we may never know what has become of copies of E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, we do know of it's effects on the world today. Psychotherapist and former Game-Developer Howard Warshaw called the game 'a challenge, [like] climbing a mountain'. Many avid fans today enjoy it for the unique and difficult gameplay it presents, which has since inspired countless other successful and widely renowned games like Dark Souls, Crash Bandicoot, and Takeshi's Challenge.
   
   E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, though starting in humble roots as a video-game adaptation of E.T. the Extra Terrestrial: The Movie, and sadly becoming lost to the world in all but emulation, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial has left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten, one that changed the fate of Atari, and the gaming industry, forever.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
2. Chronocals99

   Jun 26, 2020

   10

   It is a good game with a simple gameplay and a good story the best of all the history

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. YeetBeetle

   Jun 22, 2020

   10

   This game is beautiful. It's honestly a work of art. Everyone I have seen play this game says it's "bad" and "how did this even go for sale",This game is beautiful. It's honestly a work of art. Everyone I have seen play this game says it's "bad" and "how did this even go for sale", but they don't see the real picture, when I first booted the game up, I almost cried up a whole pool when I first played it.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. MovieGuy811

   Feb 21, 2016

   10

   This game is no doubt, an absolute masterpiece. How could anybody hate this beautiful work of art? Oh ya jealous toastssss, This game hasThis game is no doubt, an absolute masterpiece. How could anybody hate this beautiful work of art? Oh ya jealous toastssss, This game has amazing graphics, amazing gameplay, and probably the best plot of any game and movie on the PLANET!… Expand

   • 1 of 4 users found this helpful
6. Dragonfly44

   Dec 8, 2017

   1

   Easily the best video game of all time. The controls are smooth and the gameplay is just fantastic. Very creative, amazing graphics, just anEasily the best video game of all time. The controls are smooth and the gameplay is just fantastic. Very creative, amazing graphics, just an overall strong and lovely game.
   
   Just kidding it quite possibly the worst game in existence and all that was said above is the complete opposite.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
7. VoltronGuy

   Mar 17, 2020

   0

   What a HORRIBLE game! E.T. literally caused the video game crash of 1983 with one horrible game! Never play this garbage unless you want toWhat a HORRIBLE game! E.T. literally caused the video game crash of 1983 with one horrible game! Never play this garbage unless you want to see how terrible it is. If you say it's good, why? E.T's one of the worst video games ever!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Mariofan

   Mar 1, 2015

   0

   (Reviewing the Atari 2600 game) E.T. is a piece of crap. It is considered the worst game ever. The graphics are awful even for the 1980s. The(Reviewing the Atari 2600 game) E.T. is a piece of crap. It is considered the worst game ever. The graphics are awful even for the 1980s. The controls are inverted. There are so many holes. There were even so many copies buried in the New Mexico Desert. Avoid this game at ALL COSTS!!… Expand

   • 5 of 6 users found this helpful

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