Pluto's Secret is an educational platformer game developed by Sarbakan Games for National Geographic's website. It follows the adventures of two kids exploring the planets of the solar system to try and figure out why Pluto is no longer considered a planet.
Controls[]
- Left/Right: Walk left/right, double tap to dash (after unlocking Dash Boots)
- Up: Jump, press twice to double jump (after unlocking Jump Boots)
- Down: Hold to glide (after unlocking Low Gravity Device)
- A: Decrease gravity
- Z: Increase gravity
- Shift: Switch character
Plot[]
Two friends Nat and Geo are stargazing and talking about the solar system when Nat mentions that he heard Pluto isn't a planet anymore. Incredulous, Geo asks why that is. Nat says he doesn't know, but he suggests they look for answers at the space camp they're registered for. So the two kids are sent on an adventure across the solar system where their task is to visit each planet and gather data to determine which hypothesis about Pluto losing its planet status is true. One by one, Nat and Geo eliminate false hypotheses based on the data they obtain from Probe Scientists on each of the planets, until they finally learn the truth from the last Probe Scientist on Pluto. As it turns out, one of Pluto's moons, Charon, is the same size as Pluto itself; because of this, Pluto shares its gravitational field with Charon and thus is not gravitationally dominant. Satisfied, Nat and Geo return to Earth and reflect on their adventure.
Gameplay[]
Pluto's Secret has nine levels, one for each planet in the solar system (plus Pluto). These levels feature platforming challenges that require using the Gravitmod, a high-tech gravity-adjusting device, to manipulate floating platforms. Using the A and Z keys, gravity can be lowered or raised via the Gravitmod in order to make floating platforms move up and down. Different platforms react differently to changes in gravity; lighter-colored platforms will move greater distances when gravity is altered, while darker platforms won't move as far. The goal of each level is to reach the Probe Scientist at the end to obtain information about whichever planet you're on.
As you play through the levels, you can play as either Nat or Geo, and have the ability to switch between the two at any time. Each character has their own pros and cons - Nat can't jump very high but he's strong enough to push around heavy blocks in order to move them out of the way or put them in places where they can be used as stepping stones; Geo, on the other hand, is nowhere near as strong as Nat but she can jump much higher, making her ideal for most platforming sections.
In every level (except Earth), you have a limited oxygen supply and must keep your oxygen up by collecting items called Oxygen Capsules; if you run out of oxygen, you lose the level and have to start over from the beginning. On top of that, some levels also have hazards that take away your oxygen if you get hit by them.
Levels[]
- Earth: A tutorial level situated in Nat and Geo's space camp, where you learn the basic mechanics of the game.
- Mercury: A level set in one of Mercury's craters. Contains simple platforming challenges.
- Venus: A level set in the plains near one of Venus's mountains. Introduces Mini Volcanoes as a hazard.
- Mars: A level set in one of Mars's canyons. Features more Mini Volcanoes.
- Jupiter: A level set in the midst of Jupiter's gaseous surface. Has some bottomless pits, Mini Volcanoes, and Lightning strikes, plus a few Cyclones at the end.
- Saturn: A level set on Saturn's rings. Contains complex platforming challenges stretched out across a bottomless pit that spans across the entire level, plus Ice Blocks to boot.
- Uranus: A level set on Uranus's gaseous surface. Contains some platforming puzzles but no hazards.
- Neptune: A level set on Neptune's gaseous surface. Contains tricky maze-like puzzles, as well as Mini Volcanoes.
- Pluto: A level set on Pluto's surface. Features bottomless pits, Mini Volcanoes, and Lightning, and some platforms have inverted gravity.
Hazards[]
- Mini Volcano: Sometimes emits a flow of lava that takes away some of your oxygen if you get hit.
- Lightning: Occasionally strikes a random point on the screen, taking away some of your oxygen if you get hit. It tends to strike higher points, meaning you're more likely to get hit if you're near the top of the level.
- Cyclone: Propels you to the top of the screen if you touch it.
- Ice Block: Acts the same as a floating platform, but melts away after you step on it.
Space Junk[]
Space Junk is just that - piles of space junk lying around on planets. Every planet except Earth and Saturn has a pile of Space Junk hidden on it; when a Space Junk pile is found, Nat and Geo can use it to create an upgrade.
- Extra Air Tanks: Increases your maximum oxygen capacity. The Space Junk for these upgrades can be found on Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune.
- Dash Boots: Lets you run faster by double tapping the left or right arrow keys. The Space Junk for this upgrade can be found on Mars.
- Jump Boots: Lets you double jump. The Space Junk for this upgrade can be found on Uranus.
- Low Gravity Device: Lets you glide in the air for a few seconds by holding the down key while in midair. The Space Junk for this upgrade can be found on Pluto.