Starflight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula
Description official descriptions
Following the events of the first Starflight, the galaxy is at relative peace. The balance of power is disrupted when the Spemin, usually a minor nuisance, suddenly gain technological superiority and begin a campaign of expansionism. Through investigation, Interstel determines that the Spemin technology is not their own and that they have obtained it from somewhere on the other side of a flux (wormhole). Interstel commissions a force to visit this area, called the Cloud Nebula, and find a way to nullify the Spemin technology.
Starflight 2 is a space exploration game that contains much of the interface from its predecessor. This includes crew management, ship improvement, resource collection, planet landings, alien diplomacy and exploration of a new galaxy. Much of the gameplay takes place via a standard interface that allows access to ship stations. Landing on a planet however will shift to an overhead view and the player manually controls a rover while searching for objects of interest.
New to Starflight 2 is trading, alien races will now buy and sell unique items at different prices, it is no longer necessary to return to the Interstel starport to sell resources. As mentioned, the galaxy itself and the alien races that inhabit it are also new. New technologies exist for the player such as Blasto Pods (torpedoes); a devastating weapon, and Jump Pods; which will transport anywhere on the starmap.
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Credits (DOS version)
22 People (16 developers, 6 thanks) · View all
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 78% (based on 12 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 46 ratings with 6 reviews)
An excellent sequel to a ground-breaking game
The Good
An awesome game. Trading with the various races was a lot of fun! You couldn't help having a sense of irony about the two very religious races of the Tandelou. If they learned that you had traded with the other group, they wouldn't even talk to you, let alone trade with you! I wonder where they got that idea from? :)
One race (can't recall the name right at the moment), I never did get to talk to me...
So, eventually in this game, if you don't get killed first... you get to time-travel! when you first start out, most of the starmap is covered by the cloud nebula. After you time-travel, you go back in time before the cloud nebula formed, and can see where the stars are at. Very nice touch!
The Bad
Unlike the first game, I wasn't able to put the clues together, solve the puzzles and finish the game. Got lost after going back in time.
The Bottom Line
A fun and refreshing twist on the original. Again, very open game-play, where you can move as slow or fast as you please, and in any direction you want to go.
DOS · by ex_navynuke! (42) · 2005
The Good
This game took the premise of Starflight and added to it. I liked the fact that your ship could become more powerful, especially after you acquire technology from the past! The new alien species were nice and an explanation of the "terminally-grumpy" race (who's name eludes me at present) from Starflight was very interesting. As before, the story for Starflight II was engrossing and that made gameplay all that much better. The graphics (for its time) were awesome but since I didn't have a sound card, I don't know how the sound was.
Another welcome addition were populated planets. Now you could hook up with aliens on planet surfaces to learn information as well as to establish much needed trade routes.
The Bad
I really don't recall anything I didn't like about the game. I'm sure if I still had a 5 1/4" drive, I'd play again.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: EA and Binary Systems took an excellent game and improved it. Now if we could only get a Starflight III...grin
DOS · by AstroNerdBoy (35) · 2001
Binary System and EA took a great game, and made it better...
The Good
Starflight 2 is a fantastic game. It takes the non-linear gameplay of the original and somehow manages to create a more interesting universe to travel through.
I love the game, but the original still holds that special place in my heart.
The graphics make use of the MCGA/VGA palette, so the game looks fantastic. 256 colors really bring out the best in the game, and Binary Systems did a top-notch job with them. The planets look more real than in the first one - the ability to determine mountains from water is easier in this game.
The sound... well to be honest, I can't remember if it utilized the AdLib/SoundBlaster at the time so I can't give a thumbs up/down on this one.
But where this game really shines is the gameplay.
Instead of wandering around the galaxy mining planets and collecting creatures, you actually have planets colonized by other alien races, some from the first game and others that are completely original. This is where "Trade Routes" come into play. Each colonized system has a specialty Item for sale, and a specialty Item they will pay through the nose for (or other body part if the alien's don't have noses). Figuring out which planets want what is part of the gameplay. After you figure it out, trading routes will appear on the map, so you can plot your course dependig on what you have to sell and get the most profit (If I'm starting to sound to much like a Ferengi, let me know).
Another interesting aspect of the game is the Bartering system. In the original, if you need materials, you either must mine them or purchase them at Starport. In SF2's case, when you visit planets, you can buy items and haggle over the price. You can usually knock 10+ credits per unit off the price of an item. But, be warned! Some races will haggle, but will get offended and refuse to haggle with you if you offer what they think is an unfair price. Other races won't haggle at all, so you'll need to keep your wits about you.
The Bad
The game is a classic. Their isn't much I don't like :)
The Bottom Line
If you enjoyed the original, the sequel is right up your alley. It's not as non-linear as the first one, but the similarities are so strong that it'll be like riding a bike. You really never forget how.
Bottom Line: A must buy for space exploration buffs and non-scifi fans alike.
DOS · by Chris Martin (1155) · 2001
Trivia
Development
Starflight and Starflight 2 were written in a mixture of Forth (!!) and assembly.
Graphics
While Starflight 2 supports additional video modes, it loses a video mode of the original: 16-color CGA composite mode.
Awards
- Computer Gaming World
- September 1990 (Issue #74) – Role-Playing Game of the Year
- November 1996 (15th anniversary issue) – #6 Least Rewarding Ending of All Time
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Related Sites +
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MacElstrom's Starflight Home Page
Outdated, but a nice resource on Starflight and Starflight 2 -
My Starflight Page
A superfan's reminiscence of Starflight. Some excellent screenshots. -
The Starflight Fan Page
Probably the best fan page out there. -
The Starflight III project page
A pipe dream, but a nice one...
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Trixter.
Macintosh, Amiga added by Terok Nor. Windows added by eWarrior.
Additional contributors: MAT, Shoddyan, Patrick Bregger.
Game added March 8, 1999. Last modified May 8, 2024.