Stationfall

I can honestly say that I don’t think I have ever become so totally absorbed in any adventure game before! It became so real, so threatening, that I just played on and on, determined to reach the aliens and save myself and the station. More than I have experienced before, this was like taking part in a real thriller. There are plenty of laughs there, too, but they do not intrude on the excitement and suspense in any way. Stationfall is highly addictive. I found myself getting up early in the morning, having had an overnight inspiration which I just had to test out! (The result left a very sweet taste in my mouth!). Just like a good book, I had to go back time and time again to the game. But unlike a book, this piece of fiction is interactive, and with perseverance I hope finally to discover the aliens’ secret, and save Gamma Delta Gamma from its invaders – and that makes it much more exciting than any paperback – because it requires personal involvement.

Steve Meretzky's latest adventure creation is certainly on par with his previous work, incorporating atmosphere, humour and a plethora of puzzles which combine well to pull you in and let you live the life of a Lieutenant First Class for a while.

In this day and age fully enjoying the text adventures of the eighties is an acquired taste. Some people love them (like me) and some don’t get the attraction. That being said, if you have acquired the taste you will enjoy this game. After all, it is more of the same Steve Meretzky goodness that has manifested itself throughout the gaming world. In the text adventure gaming context, Stationfall deserves four out of five stars.

Generally, the problem with sequels is that they are either a boring rehash of the original, or they are so completely different that they are sequels in name only. Stationfall strikes a marvelous balance between these two extremes, and provides a quintessential example of what a sequel ought to be.