Summary

Release Year: 1993
Genres: Adventure, Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
Developers: Silmarils
Publishers: Silmarils

Transarctica (1993): A Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure Classic

Released in 1993, Transarctica is a post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment. The game is based on the novel La Compagnie des Glaces (The Ice Company) by Georges-Jean Arnaud and the comic book Le Transperceneige (The Snowpiercer) by Jacques Lob.

The story of Transarctica is set in a post-apocalyptic future where the Earth has been ravaged by the greenhouse effect. In a last-ditch effort to counteract the effects of climate change, a massive cooling system was designed and implemented. However, the system worked too well, plunging the planet into a new ice age.

Centuries later, the Earth is covered in a thick, opaque cloud layer. The surface of the planet is a frozen wasteland, roamed by giant wolf packs and mammoths. Mankind hasなんとか survived in a few handfuls of settlements, which are connected by a network of massive armored trains.

The network of trains is controlled by the Viking Union, a ruthless organization that maintains its power through force. However, a group of radicals has managed to hijack one of the Union’s trains, the Transarctica. The radicals are led by a man named Mathias, who believes that there is still hope for humanity. They set out on a journey to find the “sun”, a legendary place where the ice has melted and life can flourish.

The player takes control of Mathias and his group of rebels as they travel across the frozen wastes of Transarctica. The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player must use strategy and resource management to survive. The player must also battle against the forces of the Viking Union, as well as the harsh conditions of the environment.

Transarctica was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its unique setting, challenging gameplay, and well-written story. Transarctica is still considered to be one of the best post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure games ever made.

Gameplay

Transarctica is a turn-based strategy game. The player must manage their resources, including food, fuel, and ammunition, in order to survive. The player must also make strategic decisions about which routes to take and which battles to fight.

The game features a variety of different enemies, including wolves, mammoths, and members of the Viking Union. The player must use a variety of weapons and tactics to defeat their enemies.

Transarctica also features a number of puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress. The puzzles are often based on the game’s unique setting and require the player to think outside the box.

Setting

Transarctica is set in a post-apocalyptic future where the Earth has been ravaged by the greenhouse effect. The planet is now covered in a thick, opaque cloud layer, and the surface is a frozen wasteland.

The only remaining humans live in a few handfuls of settlements, which are connected by a network of massive armored trains. The trains are controlled by the Viking Union, a ruthless organization that maintains its power through force.

The player takes control of a group of radicals who have hijacked one of the Union’s trains, the Transarctica. The radicals are led by a man named Mathias, who believes that there is still hope for humanity. They set out on a journey to find the “sun”, a legendary place where the ice has melted and life can flourish.

Characters

The player takes control of a group of radicals who have hijacked the Transarctica train. The group is led by Mathias, a man who believes that there is still hope for humanity. Other members of the group include:

Anna: A doctor who provides medical care for the group.
Boris: A mechanic who keeps the Transarctica running.
Nikolai: A scout who helps the group to avoid danger.
Olga: A cook who provides food for the group.

The group also encounters a number of other characters along the way, including:

The Viking Union: The ruthless organization that controls the network of trains.
The Wolves: Giant wolves that roam the frozen wastes.
The Mammoths: Massive elephants that have re-emerged from the elephant stock.

Story

The story of Transarctica follows the journey of Mathias and his group of rebels as they travel across the frozen wastes of Transarctica. The group is searching for the “sun”, a legendary place where the ice has melted and life can flourish.

Along the way, the group must battle against the forces of the Viking Union, as well as the harsh conditions of the environment. The group must also overcome a number of challenges, including food shortages, fuel shortages, and mechanical failures.

Despite the challenges they face, Mathias and his group remain determined to find the sun. They believe that there is still hope for humanity, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to find a better future.

Legacy

The game has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the PC, Amiga, and Sega CD. Transarctica has also been re-released on GOG.com and Steam.

Transarctica has inspired a number of other games, including the 2013 video game Snowpiercer, which is based on the comic book of the same name.

Transarctica remains a popular game today, and it is still enjoyed by fans of post-apocalyptic science fiction and adventure games.