Perestroika
DOS - 1990
Description of Perestroika
Perestroika (a.k.a. Toppler) is a fun game by a small Russian developer called Locis, who promptly disappeared after this "one hit wonder."
What makes the game interesting and of historical value is not only great gameplay, but the fact that it operates on two level: as a game, and as a subliminal instrument for Russian propaganda (okay, this is a joke, folks-don't take it too seriously ;)).
You play a frog that must leap from one lily pad to the other to get to the finish mark before the pads sink underwater. At the same time, you must also avoid big, ugly flies that chase you around the screen and eat you up. The game represents three elements of the Russian Perestroika movement: the citizens, the bureaucrats, and the capitalists. I won't say which element in the game represents which - see if you can figure it out ;) Suffice it to say that you will build a democracy in Russia by the time the game ends.
Overall, Perestroika is a fun little action game that manages to convey a political message. If you like the game, also check out Toppler for Windows, an excellent fanmade remake of the game-also on this site. If you dislike political messages in games, then just ignore the connotations and play Perestroika for what it is at heart: a fun, unassuming action game. Recommended, although it's too bad the game is very difficult to get to work on Pentiums and above.
Review By HOTUD
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Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Astalavista 2021-11-12 0 point
The frog represents a democrat and the lilies changing laws in the USSR, constantly change and disappear. Player can collect dots in four colors, symbolizing grocery goods, currency transactions, progressive taxes and ventures. Evil creatures are bureaucrats, which try to eat the frog.
There is also another remake from original developers for Windows 3.1x (1995) and from another developer created for Windows XP (2005).
Abel 2020-07-05 0 point
wow, this game was in my first computer, never thought i can see it again...27 years...
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DOS Version
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