Plok
Webpages concerning "Plok"
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Wikipedia-Article "Plok"
Ste Pickford(Concept)
Lyndon Brooke(Graphics)"
| Plok | |
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| Developer(s) | Software Creations (UK) |
| Publisher(s) | Tradewest |
| Designer(s) | John Pickford (Concept) Ste Pickford (Concept) |
| Engine | |
| Latest version | {{{version}}} |
| Release date(s) | December 10, 1993 (Japan) |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen |
| Platform(s) | Super Famicom/Super NES |
| Media | |
| System requirements | |
| Input | |
Plok! was a Super Nintendo game developed by Software Creations and published by Tradewest Games in 1993 in the United States, and later by Nintendo in Europe and Activision in Japan. The game is a traditional platform game starring a character named "Plok". Though not widely successful, the game was somewhat of a sleeper hit, and is often praised for its creative graphics, memorable characters, and fun gameplay.
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About Plok
Plok dwells on Akrillic, a large island in the region of "Polyesta". He was trained by his grandfather (whose name was also "Plok"), whom he lovingly refers to as "Grandpappy", to be an honourable and powerful warrior so that he could help defend Akrillic in times of peril. Under his grandfather's tutouring, Plok was able to become a formidable fighter, he then accepted the responsibility of protecting Akrillic after his grandfather had passed on. Whilst we never see any other Plok-like beings in the game, we can assume that Plok is simply one of many "Ploks" in Akrillic. Notice that in the later levels of Plok Town and Sleepy Dale there are signs on all the buildings "For Sale" and the windows are boarded up. With all the Shprouts and Fleas invading, all the Ploks moved away and/or evacuated. It is also safe to assume them being many different colors, with different facial features and possibly even hair styles.
Unlike most hero characters in early computer games, Plok did not fight the forces of evil because he couldn't stand injustices; he fought because he got very, very angry when anyone tried to mess with him, a character trait which was fairly unique for the times. He also didn't dispatch his foes by merely jumping on their heads, he did so by thouroughly pummeling them with his fists (or feet, depending on the current situation) until they simply exploded. Plok's special power lies in the fact that he can launch any of his limbs at will and allow them to damage enemies, once the damage has been done they return to Plok until he decides to attack again. Another integral use of this ability is using it to solve puzzles that involve having to "sacrifice" one of Plok's limbs to activate switches (thus gradually decreasing Plok's mobility and his chances in battle - as its not easy to run, jump and fight with the odd arm or leg missing).
In gaming traditon, Plok has a common item that he can collect throughout his travels. Plok's token power-boosting pick-up are shells, and they look so lovely and chubby that you get a strange, compulsive urge to nab as many of them as you can. They also award extra lives and serve as ammo for a special amulet, so they're funcitional as well as pretty. Never has a small pick-up added so much to a game's experience. Also within tradition, Plok has numerous power-ups that come in the form of "Presents" that are scattered amongst the majority of levels. If Plok locates one of these colourful gifts he is immediatly transformed into a more powerful fighting machine for a brief length of time. These power-ups include a flamethrower, boxing gear, a shotgun, twin handguns and even multiple rocket-launchers. Specific presents yield vehicles that Plok can use, they can be fairly difficult to find but its more than worth the effort to be rewarded with a tank that can plough through the level. Plok can also get special suits for specific Boss fights, these suits are often essential in order to overcome the Boss. At one point in the game, there is a flashback in which you play as Plok's Grandpappy in a traditional black and white movie environment on "Legacy Island".
Storyline
Prologue
Plok's adventure begins when he wakes up one morning to find that his Grandfather's sacred flag, a family heirloom left to him by his Grandpappy, has been stolen. The thieves even have the gaul to leave a note; the culprits are none other than Milton and Marshall, the Bobbin Brothers. The fiends were notorious for terrorising Akrillic in the days when Plok's Grandpappy defended the land, they were defeated (and in the process lost one of their kin; Irving) and banished to the nearby Cotton Island. But now it seems they are out for revenge. Utilising his trusty telescope, Plok looks towards the coast of Cotton Island; sure enough, the flag is there. Thus Plok immediatly sets off for Cotton Island, determined to retrieve his family's sacred flag and finish off the Bobbin Brothers once and for all. But all is not what it seems...
Back in Akrillic
After vanquishing the Bobbin Brothers, for good this time, Plok returns to Akrillic to find that the Fleas have taken over. He quickly learns that the theft of his Grandfather's flag was simply a decoy to lure him away from Akrillic and leave it unguarded. Now Fleas cover every portion of Akirllic and it's up to Plok to stop them. Unlike the fleas of our world, these Fleas are a rampant, hive-minded race that destroy anything in their path (as well as being blue). Plok has clashed with the Fleas a few times before, hence his contempt for them, but never anything of this magnitude. So, infuriated that he has been duped so easily, Plok heads off to exterminate the Flea menace. This part of the game is considerably larger than Cotton Island, and features multiple Boss battles as well as far more challenging levels. The object of the Akrillic levels is to rid the level of its infestation by destroying every single flea, this can be quite tricky as fleas have a knack for hiding as well as attacking in groups. Plok also faces off against a number of dangerous foes during his quest to liberate Akrillic. These include Womack Spider, a giant evil arachnid who dwells in the mountains and has a hunger for Plok flesh. The Penkinos, a group of four balloon-like wizards who are hired by the Flea Queen to dispose of Plok. And finally Rockyfella, the gigantic earth spirit of Polyesta.
The Flea Pit
Once the entire region of Akrillic is safe, Plok decides to make sure that this disaster can never happen again and heads straight for the Fleas nest area, aptly named "The Flea Pit". Here is where Plok faces his greatest challenge; the Flea Queen and her hordes.
Enemies
Shprouts: Like any plucky hero, Plok has a number of hassles to deal with as he tries to free his homeland. Most noticeable in the levels of Akrillic is the "Shprout", a hostile race that seems to have something against Plok and his people, a reasonable assumption for their contempt is that they may have gone to war with the Ploks once or twice and been bitter over defeat. Still, whatever the reason, they seem eager to destroy Plok in any way they can.
Fairly nimble and tenacious, the Shrpouts are rather aggravating enemies to encounter; players must punch the Shrpout once to "electrocute" it, then hit it again whilst it is still electrocuted to vanquish them. This is easier said than done, however, as Shprouts do not stay electrocuted for long. As the game progresses the Shrpouts get more and more "tooled up", going into battle with shields, scuba gear, parachutes or sometimes even all three at once.
Other Shrpouts: Whilst most Shrpouts are green and lanky, other types do exist, these are the Yellow Shrpouts; a shorter, chubbier variety of Shrpout that is faster and capable of greater jumping prowess than normal Shrpouts, they also have the annoying habit of hurling boomerangs. The final, and toughest, kind of Shprout is the Blue Shprout. These Shrpouts are the fastest of the bunch and incredibly difficult to hit. Fortunately they are quite rare and never carry shields when fighting.
Fleas: It becomes apparent fairly early on in the game that Plok does NOT like Fleas in the slightest. Exactly why is not known, but it is safe to assume that they have tried to take over Akrillic before and failed (thanks to Plok). The Fleas are Plok's nemesis and will do anything to stop him. Seemingly hive-minded and parasitic, the Fleas are fearsome opponents, especially in large numbers (which they almost always are). However, there are more types of Flea. Here is where they shall be given a brief overview:
Standard Fleas: As the name suggests, these are the most common breed of Flea amongst the flea hordes. They take 3 hits to take out, slowly changing from bold blue, to turquoise and finally green before exploding. Using the basic strategy "Strength in numbers" they often attack in groups, they can be fairly fast due to their hopping nature.
Flying Fleas: The only kind of Flea that isn't blue, as well as the only kind without legs. Somehow this breed of Flea has successfully developed wings, giving it greater speed and agility with the cost of some stamina (they only require one hit in order to be killed). These Fleas are never found on the surface, only in underground caves or tunnels. It is logical to assume they cannot stand bright light due to living in caves for so long in order to evolve wings.
Gunk Fleas: Considerably larger than a Standard Flea, this breed of Flea has a rather large nozzle on its head which it uses to shoot thick globs of pus at Plok whenever he gets near. Like Standard Fleas, they attack in groups whenever they can. Fortunately, they do not have any increased abilities and require just as many hits as a Standard Flea.
Spewing Fleas: These Fleas act primarily as guards in the flea pit. Like the Gunk Fleas, these Fleas can launch pus at Plok. However, they launch it in a far more erratic manner as opposed to waiting for Plok to come close, they also have four head-nozzles as opposed to just one. This makes them difficult to deal with when situated in groups, fortunately they are incapable of moving from their spots and require the same amount of hits as a Standard Flea.
Drone Fleas: This type of Flea is only found in the final battle with the Flea Queen. The eggs she lays during the fight produce these Fleas, giving Plok extra troubles, but they only take on hit from Plok's secret "Super-weapon".
Music
Composed by Tim Follin and his brother Geoff Follin, the soundtrack used just 5 channels out of a possible 8, leaving the remaining 3 for sound effects. The soundtrack is notable for having used chords as samples (voices 26 and 27 in the spc). Also, often instead of using specific envelope types for sounds, the composers varied the envelope continually, giving some tracks a very distinctive sound, notably 'Plok's House', 'Akrillic', 'Creepy Crag', 'Beach' and 'Flea Pit'.
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