Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy
- Platforms: Amiga, Amiga CD32, DOS
- Publishers: Flair Software
Whale’s Voyage: A Deep Dive into the Classic Sci-Fi RPG
Introduction
Released in 1993, Whale’s Voyage is a unique and immersive sci-fi role-playing game with trading elements. Developed by the now-defunct British studio Core Design, the game puts players in the role of a space traveler who has made a bad deal buying a spaceship known as Whale, which turned out to be half-wrecked. Stranded on the orbit of a remote planet, the traveler and his crew have to find a way to gain money and outfit the ship so that it will stand a chance in that dangerous area.
Gameplay
Whale’s Voyage combines elements of RPGs, trading sims, and space exploration games. The player controls a party of up to four characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities. The party travels from planet to planet, trading goods, completing quests, and fighting enemies.
The trading system in Whale’s Voyage is deep and complex. Players can buy and sell a variety of goods, including weapons, armor, food, and medicine. The prices of goods vary from planet to planet, so players need to carefully consider where they buy and sell their goods in order to maximize their profits.
The combat in Whale’s Voyage is turn-based and tactical. Players can choose from a variety of attacks and abilities to use against their enemies. The game also features a unique “morale” system, which affects the party’s performance in combat.
Setting
Whale’s Voyage is set in a distant star system known as the Orion Arm. The system is home to a variety of planets, each with its own unique environment and inhabitants. The player’s spaceship, the Whale, is a versatile vessel that can travel between planets and land on their surfaces.
The game’s world is rich and detailed, with a variety of factions and characters to interact with. Players can choose to align themselves with one of the major factions in the system, or they can remain independent.
Story
The story of Whale’s Voyage is non-linear, and players are free to explore the game’s world at their own pace. The game’s main quest involves finding a way to repair the Whale and escape from the Orion Arm. However, players can also choose to pursue a variety of side quests, which can lead to new items, abilities, and allies.
Graphics and Sound
For its time, Whale’s Voyage featured impressive graphics and sound. The game’s environments are detailed and atmospheric, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it helps to create a sense of immersion and atmosphere.
Reception
Whale’s Voyage was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, deep trading system, and engaging story. Whale’s Voyage was also a pioneer in the use of 3D graphics in RPGs.
The game has since been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, Amiga, and Sega CD. Whale’s Voyage remains a popular game among fans of classic RPGs and space exploration games.
Legacy
Whale’s Voyage is considered to be one of the most influential RPGs of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay and deep trading system have been imitated by many other games, and its unique setting and story have inspired a number of other works of science fiction.
Whale’s Voyage is a classic game that deserves to be played by any fan of RPGs, trading sims, or space exploration games. The game’s deep gameplay, engaging story, and immersive world will keep players entertained for hours on end.
Review Score
7.5/10
