Parsec Man 3D

Parsec Man 3D is a video game in the action genre originally released in 1994. It is currently playable on DOS.

Deep within the Xon system lies a source of absolute power, protected by dangerous creatures known as the Octaxon. Weighing the risks, an adventurer named Parsec dons a jetpack suit equipped with a two-level beam emitter and sets off in search of his prize.

Parsec Man 3D is a minimalist action platformer, with a design and visual style very similar to later indie games such as Fred Wood's Love and Daniel Remar's Hero Core. Due in part to the game's use of red and cyan anaglyphic 3D glasses, its presentation consists largely of simple, distinct shapes in a few colors: black, white, medium gray, red, cyan, and various shades of purple.

Parsec, the titular hero, is controlled primarily with the numeric keypad, with his main shot assigned to the spacebar and his extra-powerful plasma beam bound to the 'A' key. In levels with gravity, the '7/Home' and '9/PgUp' keys are assigned to sideways jumps. The character has a limited supply of plasma bolts, and must collect more of the [P] icons in the environment.

The overall structure of the game is semi-linear, with a planet selection screen at the beginning and end of each level. Level orientations and compositions vary, from side-scrolling platforming action to free-floating shooter segments; from linear, objective-based design to open-ended structure, with lots of exploration. Each level is also distinguished by a distinct visual scheme and set of challenges, such as collapsing bridges and 3D mazes.

Often, the design makes constructive use of the game's 3D effect, to offer occasional puzzles that jump out at you when playing with the right glasses, though for the unequipped player they can also be traversed with a bit of trial and error.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.