Let’s hear what the developer has to say about the game:
“Damn! Those pesky aliens are back again and this time they have devised a plot so devious and insidious that it defies all belief! Even that of gullible lollygaggers and inbred jackanapes!
In a carefully planned attack on the planets of our solar system, the aliens have disabled the orbital probes which made up the most important part of the Earth Defence System. With the probes in pieces there’s no way for the human race to defend itself as all the missile guidance systems on the planet make use of its telemetry data! Curse our short-sightedness in putting all our eggs into one basket! A BASKET OF DEATH! But it gets worse! They are using this Space-Radar blackout to fire a giant alien Hive of Indescribable Terror straight at the Earth’s surface! Inside the Hive are billions of tiny insects, bred with the single dire purpose in mind… TO EAT TEA LEAVES!
That’s right! If the Hive enters our atmosphere and ruptures then all the tea in the world will be consumed by a swarm of Pure Evil! Without tea the British Empire’s stiff upper lips will wilt and flap horribly, leading to the downfall of civilisation itself! (ie, everywhere but Milton Keynes) Our only chance is to entrust the future of the entire world to one man… Jetman! With his trusty Rocket Ship, Jetpack, Quadroplasmic Lasertronic Disrupter Rifle and the help of our foremost military mind he might just be able to carve a swathe through the alien forces and repair our defense probes before the unthinkable happens! Or are we once again placing all our fowl-feotusses in one wickerwork container?
Only time will tell! Crivens!
The aim of the game is to make your way through each of the nine levels, constructing the probes as you go. As you arrive on a new planet (or moon!), you will see the pieces of the next probe scattered around. Before you leap into action, be sure to bring the rocket ship down smoothly. Any damage incurred by a bumpy landing will mean you have to spend more time collecting repair kits. The amount of damage is indicated in the very top right hand corner of the screen.
Starting with the probe’s base, you must collect each piece and drop them over the launch pad that is marked by the two beacons. To drop a piece, simply fly over the beacons at any height. When the probe is fully constructed you will need to fill it with fuel. The amout of fuel required is shown directly below the rocket damage indicator. Fuel cans are dropped from the top of the screen at regular intervals. Simply pick these up and fly over the probe to drop them. Falling fuels cans are not laser proof, so watch where you’re firing!
Along the way you will encounter a whole host of nasties who will do their very best to bring your mission to a catastrophic conclusion. A quick blast on the laser will stop them in their tracks but be sure to keep on top of things. Bumping into a nasty will reduce your energy level. This is indicated by the red bar in the top left hand corner of the screen. There is no second chance, when your energy is depleted it’s game over.” (taken from the manual)
“Jetpak – Solar Crisis” might not be the best game of all times, but it’s a very nice coffeebreak action game and with its nice graphics and great sound effects it will entertain you as long as it lasts.
Another thing that really makes Jetpak – Solar Crisis enjoyable for me is how it manages to stay interesting even after playing it multiple times. Many games feel repetitive after a while, but here, the experience still feels fresh because of the small details and different ways you can approach the gameplay. As you continue playing, you naturally start improving and understanding the mechanics better, which makes everything feel more rewarding. I also appreciate the balance the game maintains—it’s not too difficult, but it’s not too easy either. You can play it casually for a short break or spend longer sessions without getting bored. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons why I keep coming back to Jetpak – Solar Crisis. Overall, it’s the kind of game that doesn’t just entertain you for a moment, but actually gives you a consistently enjoyable experience every time you play.
