Millipede, released by Atari in 1982, is a fixed shooter video game and the sequel to the 1981 hit, Centipede. The game features more gameplay variety and a wider range of insects than its predecessor. Instead of the “Bug Blaster” from Centipede, players assume the role of an elf called the “Archer,” who must defend his mushroom forest from a giant millipede and other insects.
The objective is to destroy the millipede as it advances downward from the top of the screen. The millipede moves horizontally until it encounters an obstacle or the edge of the screen, at which point it drops down one row and changes direction. Once the millipede reaches the player’s gray maneuvering area, it remains there while extra heads appear at intervals until both the millipede and the heads are destroyed. A collision with any enemy results in the player losing one life.
Millipede features several key differences from Centipede:
- The millipede moves faster, and its head segment is more challenging to hit.
- The game introduces new insects such as earwigs, bees, inchworms, ladybugs, dragonflies, and mosquitoes, each with unique behaviors and abilities.
- DDT bombs can be triggered to destroy all enemies and mushrooms within the blast radius.
- At regular intervals, players enter bonus levels with swarms of enemies instead of the millipede.
- Players can choose to start at an advanced level, with a score that is a multiple of the number of points needed to earn an extra life.
Millipede offers an enhanced and more challenging gameplay experience than Centipede, making it an appealing choice for fans of the original game and new players alike.