Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Mac
- Developers: Infocom
- Publishers: Infocom
Stationfall: A Stellar Sequel
Stationfall is a 1987 interactive fiction computer game written by Steve Meretzky and released by Infocom. It is a sequel to Planetfall, one of Infocom’s most popular titles. The game is set five years after the events of Planetfall, and follows the player character, now a Lieutenant First Class in the Stellar Patrol, as they are assigned to accompany a spacetruck to a space station and pick up a load of “Request for Stellar Patrol Issue Regulation Black Form Binders Request Form Forms”.
Despite the seemingly mundane nature of the assignment, things quickly take a turn for the worse when the spacetruck is attacked by pirates. The player character must use their wits and skills to survive the attack and complete their mission.
Stationfall is a text-based adventure game, meaning that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The game features a parser that understands a wide range of natural language commands, allowing the player to interact with the game world in a realistic and immersive way.
The game world is richly detailed and full of interesting characters and locations. The player can explore the space station, interact with the crew of the spacetruck, and even visit a nearby planet. The game also features a number of puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress.
Stationfall is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a lot of replay value. The game’s parser is one of the most sophisticated of its time, and the game world is full of secrets and surprises. Fans of interactive fiction and science fiction will definitely want to check out Stationfall.
Gameplay
Stationfall is played from a first-person perspective. The player character can move around the game world by typing commands such as “go north” or “go east”. The player can also interact with objects in the game world by typing commands such as “get key” or “use key on door”.
The game’s parser is very sophisticated and understands a wide range of natural language commands. This allows the player to interact with the game world in a realistic and immersive way. For example, the player can type “ask the bartender for a drink” or “tell the guard to let me pass”.
The game world is richly detailed and full of interesting characters and locations. The player can explore the space station, interact with the crew of the spacetruck, and even visit a nearby planet. The game also features a number of puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress.
Puzzles
The puzzles in Stationfall are challenging but fair. The player must use their wits and skills to solve the puzzles in order to progress. Some of the puzzles are inventory-based, while others require the player to think outside the box.
One of the most challenging puzzles in the game involves finding a way to disable a force field. The player must use a variety of objects and clues in the game world to figure out how to do this.
Characters
The characters in Stationfall are well-developed and believable. The player can interact with a variety of characters, including the crew of the spacetruck, the staff of the space station, and the inhabitants of the nearby planet.
Each character has their own unique personality and motivations. The player must learn to interact with each character in a different way in order to get what they need.
Setting
Stationfall is set in a science fiction universe. The game takes place on a space station and a nearby planet. The space station is a bustling hub of activity, with people from all over the galaxy coming and going.
The nearby planet is a beautiful and mysterious place. The player can explore the planet’s surface and interact with its inhabitants.
Themes
Stationfall explores a number of themes, including the nature of good and evil, the importance of friendship, and the power of hope. The game also raises questions about the nature of reality and the meaning of life.
Legacy
Stationfall is a classic interactive fiction game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game’s sophisticated parser, well-developed characters, and challenging puzzles make it a rewarding experience for players of all levels.
Stationfall has been praised by critics for its writing, puzzles, and atmosphere. The game has been included in several lists of the best interactive fiction games of all time.
Re-release
In 2015, Stationfall was re-released for modern computers by GOG.com. The re-release includes the original game files, as well as a number of new features, such as support for high-resolution graphics and sound.
The re-release of Stationfall has been well-received by fans of the game. It is now easier than ever to experience this classic interactive fiction game.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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