Escape Velocity

Pirate, rebel, trader, government crony...anything is possible

• Escape Velocity
• By Ambrosia Software
• Macintosh Shareware
• $20.00 Registered

scape Velocity is a game of galactic entrepreneurship where there is no particular goal to accomplish, no set path to follow and no ultimate finish. Players start out with a modest stake of credits, a small shuttle to take them between planets and precious few instructions on how to proceed. The immediate idea is to build up credits in order to buy equipment upgrades, new ships, etc.

At first players are limited to either the age-old gambit of buying low and selling high or completing cargo-hauling missions to earn money. Later, as they buy bigger and better ships, they can arm themselves and take sides in the Rebel/Confederate war, go it alone as a pirate or simply defend themselves while traveling trade routes.

The game itself is essentially played in one of two modes: visiting planets or cruising the interstellar depths. While on planets all action is conducted through on-screen menus and dialog boxes, and usually the aim is to buy or sell goods, ships, or equipments, or to pick up missions. In space players take direct control of their ships using a top-down viewpoint, thrusting, maneuvering and firing weapons as necessary.

Escape Velocity's strength lies in its formlessness. Because there is no overriding goal to accomplish, players are free to take any direction they will, whether it's carving out a living as a ruthless pirate or as a peaceful trader. Each alternative leads to its own adventures and subplots.

And no matter what choice players make, there's never a shortage of short-term goals to accomplish. While rushing medical supplies from Rigel to Vega, players might make a refueling stop at Centauri and pick up another mission ferrying food to Ursa, which will in turn lead to other missions. There always seems to be just one more thing to do, making it hard to stop playing. In fact, EV can be downright addictive.

While the game play and graphics are not quite cutting edge for the industry, they are certainly better than most shareware games in the same class. And what Escape Velocity lacks in dazzle, it more than makes up for in charm, with systems fancifully named after famous science fiction landmarks such as Arrakis and cheats based on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

The game's one flaw is that it has no end -- most players will find themselves playing maddeningly for days or weeks on end, then suddenly losing interest as the "been there, done that" syndrome sets in. Luckily there are hours and hours of great game playing before that happens.

Talk about addictive. One player wrote to Ambrosia and suggested they include marriage counseling software with the game.-- Craig E.

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