Stellar Search

Stellar Search is a series of 4 science fiction themed games set as a continuing story.

The player takes on the role of captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The Federation has recently recovered a space probe of unknown origin. By careful study of the probe's trajectory, we have traced it back to the quadrant from which it was sent. Unfortunately, this quadrant has several black holes making it impossible to trace the proper sector of origin within the quadrant. Your goal is to make first contact with the alien race, and decide if they would make good members for the Federation.

In part 1, the player must explore a number of quadrants on a 12 x 8 board trying to find the hidden planet. Some squares are empty, some contain a black hole which drains the player's energy, and some have enemy Klingon vessels which the player must manage their shields, phasers, torpedoes and other weapons. The player can recharge at several star bases. After discovering the correct quadrant, the player must navigate a shuttle craft to the planet's surface.

In part 2, the aliens have taken the shuttle crew hostage. The player's job is to rescue them and try to arrange some type of agreement between the aliens and Federation. The player can fire phasers, try to beam down to the surface, communicate with the aliens, leave orbit, or arm engines. The player can speak with their bridge crew, and must defeat an incoming Klingon fleet to protect the planet.

In part 3, the player beams down to the alien planet's surface and must try to rescue the captured shuttle crew. Armed with their tricorder and phaser, the player enters a text adventure and must navigate through a 5 x 5 map. The player can examine items, check their inventory, use items, look at a their map, and take items.

Finally, in part 4, the game switches to a side-view arcade section. The player must level terrain by dropping bombs, so they can safely land on the planet's surface to rescue the Captain. If the shuttlecraft hits the land, they must restart. There are 4 levels of difficulty.