Starflight™ 1+2

I thoroughly enjoyed these games. That said, I think most will struggle to get their heads around them, at least initially. Right from the start I was completely at sea with even the most basic gameplay elements, I had no idea how to do just about anything: start the game, save the game, play the game . . . it took me minutes to many hours to figure out. A few things still leave me clueless now having finished both Starfleet 1 and 2 (e.g. I cannot get the blastpods in SF2 to work for me once activated with F10). So yes, I can fully understand why many might give up on this game and if circumstances had been different (no Covid pandemic) then I probably would not have bothered either. I am so glad I did bother. I finished SF2 earlier and I'm still buzzing -- this happens too rarely with video games (or books) so when it does it's ***jazz hands** AMAZING. The website starflt.com has lots of info on the games should you be stuck at any stage. Earning credits (through mining in SF1 and trading in SF2) is an important aspect in both games but if you don't have the patience for it I would recommend using the cheats mentioned on the Starflt website to get "infinite" credit because imo it is worth taking a small shortcut like that if it will allow you to enjoy the real beating heart of the game: exploring the SF universe and making first contact with different alien races. Gameplay of SF2 is a huge step up from SF1 (especially the save game functionality). Another recommendation I'd make is, if you really struggle with SF1 then use a walkthrough as it will help with getting the hang of the game and it should set you up for playing SF2 (mostly) spoiler-free.

Back when the word "graphics" did not exist, there was unlimited choices and lots of text. "Oh no, not that game again". LOL, my now wife, then girlfriend remembers it too. I'm so glad GOG brought these out again. Although SF1 has trouble playing after "quit without saving" is used, SF2 plays flawlessly. The humor is timeless, gameplay is simple and the fun is endless. One thing I like about these older games is that they move quickly along, because there's no real visuals to bask in, just play the game. Master of Magic, Master of Orion and others use this formula. Well done GOG.

I only recently played these games and I must say they have stood the test of time and are still playable if you don't mine the antiquated graphics. The best things about the games is the large galaxy to explore, being able to land on planets and piecing together all the bits of the puzzle. The answer is very...interesting. There's great humour in the games, especially the spineless Spemins. The second game is more streamlined and there is not quite so much to explore and piece together, but the economy/trading/mining aspect is more balanced. If these games had the intense dogfight combat of Elite they would have been perfect. These are among the game where the Amiga version is clearly superior, with better graphics, sound, controls and saving system.

This game proved that simple play mechanics, tons of systems to visit, different races all put together could challenge even the best of us. Finding a Flux for the first time on your own, nominating a planet for colonization and being right earning 50,000 credits. I so cherish this game in my life, that it is in my top five of all loved games.

This is a hallmark space game that perfectly captures the loneliness and dangers of space exploration. People say, "they don't make them like they used to," and this game perfectly exemplifies that. It's hands-down one of the best "free-roam" space simulators you'll ever find. SF1 is in EGA, SF2 is in VGA. Both use an identical engine. You can't go wrong. Game is long... very long, but well worth it.