Gilbert: Escape from Drill

About

Gilbert: Escape from Drill is a bizarre platformer where you guide a chatty alien through a surreal world of floating hazards and slimy enemies. You move through Drill by walking, jumping, and swimming while fending off creatures with Gilbert’s signature “snotting” attack. The goal is to recover missing parts of a massive spaceship and reach Earth within 24 hours before a rival signs your contract. The game blends straightforward platforming with frantic time pressure and a relentless stream of Gilbert’s sarcastic narration. The game’s irreverent tone and gross humor set it apart, paired with a time limit that ramps up the challenge. Originally released in 1989, it hit platforms like Amiga and Commodore 64, giving it broad retro appeal. Community reviews often highlight its chaotic charm and Gilbert’s absurd personality, though critics note the difficulty curve can be punishing. Nostalgic players appreciate the creative level design and the absurdity of an alien fighting with snot, making it a cult favorite among retro arcade fans.

Storyline

Gilbert is feeling very pleased with himself. A jolly spiffing summer zipping about all over the Earth has left him feeling like a Super Hero. Unfortunately, the rest of the fellow Drillians are not quite as happy. In fact, they are green (and slimy) with envy. Talk, talk, talk. Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. Will Gilbert never shut up about his time on Earth? Luckily, even Gilbert has to stop for breath and just as things are getting back to normal a telly-gram (!) arrives from earth to invite Gilbert back to do a new series. That's done it. The Drillians can take no more. They decide that the only way to avoid another winter of Gilbert's bragging is to stop him from getting to the Tune Tees Television Studios and signing his contract. The Millenium Dustbin has certain important parts removed (well wouldn't you class the toilet as important?) and spread about the planet of Drill. The Drillians remain tight lipped about it (not easy when you have a mouth the size of Gilbert's!) but being jolly sporting types, they give him a chance of finding some clues to the whereabouts of the missing pieces. All Drillians love a good video game so they decide that if Gilbert can beat them at their favourite arcade game they will give him a clue. It all sounds very easy to a being with a brainbox the size of Gilbert's until he realises that he must reach Earth within 24 hours otherwise the contract will be given to another "Superstar."