sigma@PAWL.RPI.EDU (Kevin J Martin) (01/17/90)
Review of Starflight II for IBM systems... This game has been briefly discussed on the list, but not reviewed, so I'll go ahead and do it. It does true MCGA/VGA 320x200x256 graphics, although the extra 240 colors are only apparent when you encounter aliens, especially in space. The command interface is *exactly* like Starflight I, and so is the underlying p-code interpreter, I believe. The orbital and landing sequences are the same (but with more colors than S1's CGA-only graphics), but you're in a completely new region of space. Your ship is still limited to only class 5 of anything, whereas the other species invariably have access to class 10 missiles, or class 50 shields. Basically, you start with a little money and trade goods. You get six crewmembers, train them a bit, and go out to start trading. After you visit a lot of the civilized planets (indicated on the included map), you'll get the hang of who is interested in which items, and you'll be able to make a large trade circuit which will bring in lots of dough. Then you can proceed to the issues of the game; that is, why are the Spemins (purple Jabba the Hutts), who were such wimps in the first game, now the most powerful and arrogant race anywhere? And how can we get their stolen technology? It's great to play, but you're in for some heavy frustration waiting for something as simple as a keypress to be processed if you're under 8 Mhz, AT LEAST. Even at 16Mhz on a 80386, scrolling of lists and managing the terrain vehicle are a little troublesome. But it's worth it, over all. You won't stay up all night playing it, because there are definitely lulls in the action, but it's worth the $44 I paid in Tennessee. Kevin Martin sigma@pawl.rpi.edu