Star Trek: Klingon

Cultural immersion studies for people who like pain

• Star Trek: Klingon
• Simon & Schuster Interactive
• Windows 3.1
• 486/66, 8MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM

tar Trek: Klingon is a game within a game. It purports to be a Holodeck program hosted by Gowron, leader of the Klingon High Council, and aimed at teaching Klingon culture. In the simulation, players take on the role of Pok, a Klingon youth about to pass his Rite of Accession. It begins at a party for Pok where his friends and family have gathered. For the most part the game runs continuously, like a television program, with the difference that often the characters look right at the camera and speak to "you" (Pok). Then every few minutes a Decision Point is reached, the action pauses and players must react as honor and the situation demand.

How to make the correct decision? Klingon culture, after all, is a bewildering maze of customs. Should presents be opened immediately or later? When someone steals his lung sandwich, should Pok just growl or attack? Is it okay to head-butt mom? The answers are actually all around. At any time players can freeze the simulation and click on items in the scene. The computer will explain these items, such as ancestor hangings or qagh (live worms, yum), in context. What the other characters say and do also teaches proper etiquette or handy skills, such as how to activate a cloaking device.

Mistakes are inevitable. For a minor faux pas someone will admonish Pok and the simulation backs up to the Decision Point for another try. In the case of a whopping blunder, the simulation stops entirely and Gowron gives Pok some loud, wet advice -- often emphasized with a pain stick.

Don't get the impression, though, that the game is all "please" and "thank you." At the party there is an attempt on Gowron's life, forcing Pok (and players) to embark on a blood oath that takes him to Romulan space. Star Trek: Klingon also comes with a full-fledged Klingon language program for players who really want to get into their role.

The game's interface is simple but wonderfully innovative. Since the answers to the "puzzles" are to be found in the language, artifacts and behaviors of the characters, the game achieves a new level of true, interactive learning. What keeps the story moving is not just logical clues but figuring out appropriate behaviors in various situations. Getting it right, therefore, is extremely rewarding and fun.

The story of Pok's Rite of Accession is somewhat melodramatic and corny (much like Klingons themselves) and suffers from typical Star Trek coincidences, such as choosing the exact bar to find someone in on an entire planet. Robert O'Reilly plays his Gowron to the hilt, masterful and frightening, especially when he gets angry. Even though the story is linear, it's worth going back to make different decisions just to see what happens.

A lot of people talk about Interactive Fiction, but this is the first time I've really felt it. Notice you have no control over the actual plot, but there's still an enormous amount of interaction with the other characters. I really felt like I was in the show. -- Brooks

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