Mark Abrams @Elric

Space Quest IV: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers (DOS)

A good, old-fashioned adventure

The Good
Many of the puzzles were interesting. The game is quite funny, probably funnier than the first three in the series. The plot makes little sense, but that's not really all that important. This is definitely one of the classics of the genre.

The Bad
There are a few movement based puzzles. These are more tedious than interesting. In fact, there is apparently a timing error in the CD-ROM version that causes the game to run too fast on faster machines (most Pentiums). Moslo will not help you here. Instead, disable your CPU's internal cache from the BIOS config program (be sure to re-enable it when you are finished!).

The Bottom Line
This is probably the funniest Space Quest except for Space Quest 6. While the puzzles are not quite as good as those of Space Quest 3, the humor is definitely sharper, wittier, and more abundant. In terms of gameplay, it's just a simple point and click adventure, and we see all too few of those today. Definitely a game you will want to play repeatedly.

By Mark Abrams on November 18, 2000

Space Quest 6: Roger Wilco in the Spinal Frontier (DOS)

Well, I like it...

The Good
I honestly like this game. It is definitely the funniest game in the series and one of the most humorous games of all time -- up there with Monkey Island 2 and 3 and Zork: Grand Inquisitor. The graphics are highly effective and, they evoke the proper feeling. The puzzles are definitely some of the series's most challenging and are highly involved; I found this to be a plus, although others may agree.

The Bad
Now, I like the involved puzzles, but a few are quite difficult. While many people complain about the homing beacon puzzle, it is really not all that hard if you concentrate. The puzzles that really gave me problems were the hookah hose problem and some of the puzzles inside Steller's body. Again, like Space Quest IV, there is a strange timing issue in the sickbay when you try to read the results of the DNA test. Disable your CPU's internal cache from the BIOS config and move speed all the way up and detail all the way down. Remember to turn the cache on again when you are finished (don't try this in Windows--trust me).

The Bottom Line
In my opinion, a great game. It has a good story, complex, involving puzzles, and hilarious dialogue and narration. One of personal favorites, I would like for it to get the attention it deserves.

By Mark Abrams on November 18, 2000