Tired and disappointing entry in a classic series
Sierra's hopeless hero, Roger Wilco, returns once more in this fifth instalment in the classic sci-fi comedy adventure series that plays out like a less serious version of the company's own Police Quest franchise. This one retains much of the expected features of the series, featuring lots of spoofs on much-loved sci-fi movies and shows alongside the usual puzzling thrills. This time around, the focus is very much on Star Trek, with Wilco now back in Starfleet Academy and who, after cheating on his exams, manages to be captain of his own ship with a mission to venture forth into the unknown depths of space. He soon gets involved in a complex plot involving illegal and hazardous dumping, the disappearance of a fellow captain and the return of an old foe, all of which are played out in small, episodic missions which together form an overall narrative. In many ways, this is very much a standard Space Quest adventure, with the usual witty script and endless references to other material and although the main point of inspiration is clearly Star Trek, there are plenty of references to the likes of Alien, Predator and Star Wars and which will no doubt entertain sci-fi fans to no end. The dialogue does feel a little tired though and lacks the usual sparkle which is disappointing. The graphics however are full of personality and detail with a great cartoon-like feel that suits the mood perfectly but the puzzles and lack of longevity do bring things down a bit. Overall, this is a decent enough adventure but is probably one for series fans only, so if you are new, head back to the original or check out something like Monkey Island or Discworld if you just want a game in this genre.
