Summary
Impossible Mission (1984) politely greeted players with an ominous “Stay awhile… stay forever!” before immediately trying to kill them. Tasked with stopping the evil Professor Elvin Atombender, you explored a deadly maze of rooms filled with patrolling robots, lethal falls, and timed jumps. Elevators demanded precision, puzzles required memory and logic, and every mistake cost precious time. Its digitised speech, tense atmosphere, and relentless difficulty made it unforgettable, turning methodical exploration into a white-knuckle race against both traps and the clock.
What it does well
Iconic speech, strong atmosphere, clever puzzles, memorable presentation, and gameplay that rewarded patience and planning.
Where it falls short
Unforgiving difficulty, precise jumps, frequent repetition, and frustration that could overwhelm less methodical players.
Verdict
A brilliantly cruel classic that blended puzzles and platforming into a uniquely stressful and deeply memorable experience.