To Be Bunnied

Starflight! Probably the first realistic Space Simulator style game I've ever played! Akihiko specifically recommended this to me because he knows I'm the nerdy type who loves data analysis and writing down notes... I love him so much for that. Anyway, yeah! Starflight is a space game where you explore planets, mine minerals, recommend planets for colonisation (as long as their atmospheres aren't liquid sulfuric acid of course), and optionally follow in the main story that Starport sets you out on!


I love this game, because reading the manual is absolutely required for even something as simple as establishing orbit around a planet (you gotta angle yourself in, and carefully set your velocity...), then you have to navigate through the sensors, then navigation menus before you can land. Then, landing requires a bunch of other steps! Did I mention yet that your crew level determines how much of your spacecraft that you can use (if at all)? Because I didn't know, and the manual only briefly touches on it!


Graphics wise, this game holds up to the fairly standard Sega Genesis Megadrive 2D games. It's not the most visually stunning, but the complex mechanics play very well into how you interact with the foreground (sensors, maps), the middle ground (your spaceship, the planet, other spaceships) and the background (space anomalies, etc). Honestly, I dig it. You don't need to be graphically complex to be fun as hell, you know?

This is one of those games where you make your own story, even if you're following in the footsteps of those that came before (hint, hint, the main narrative), and it's best played that way. I'll continuously update this page with my gameplay log!

Captain's Log 1st December 2024

Finally got the main controls working! Named the ship ISS Dieter, and assembled a crew for the mission ahead.

• Science Officer - Cinnabun, human
• Navigator - Cyberbun, Android
• Engineer - Caramel, Velox
• Communications - Cabbage, Elowan
• Doctor - Nutmeg, Elowan

After receiving our main mission directive from the Starport, we set out to explore the current system for colonisation (as directed by the directing body), as well as scavenge what resources we could in order to purchase more fuel for our small spacecraft. Upon entering orbit with the outermost planet, I asked Science Officer Cinnabun if she could give me a sensors report - negative, apparently. I'd neglected to train her on the proper operation of the spacecraft's scientific instruments. After questioning the rest of the crew, it turns out that while our two Elowan crew (Diplomat Cabbage and Dr Nutmeg) had been fully trained, our android operator, playfully nicknamed Cyberbun, was totally unable to communicate, and our engineer Caramel only had basic knowledge of the repair and maintenance of Hyperlight engines.

After a short stint at the Starport, we set out again on our mission (now with our crew fully trained!), and successfully mapped all planets in the system, barring two. We also collected small amounts of Copper, Antimony, Plutonium, and Iron, much to the delight of our dwindling finances. What a day!