Universe

Universe description

... It was 1983.
The world did not know what Elite David Braben, before the “X” remained 16 years, and a Freelancer would start to conquer the hearts of the players only two decades later. Nevertheless, released in 1983 (8-bit Atari) Omnitrend Universe is considered to be one of the most detailed in the history of simulation of interstellar trade.

The plot of the game, modestly fit on one page of the manual, tells about the concentration of colonized planets two centuries ago, called the Local Group. Colonization became possible thanks to the alien technology called "Booster", but that's just the thing - it was a "one way ticket". The land connected with the colonies, and once a month in orbit of the planet Axia regularly appeared containers with new achievements of science and technology. Began 102nd year. The last parcel of Land was obtained almost three months ago... In the minds of billions of people began to emerge panic. Suddenly Central University announced that they have confirmed information about the existence somewhere within the Local Group of another "Booster'a". I have to say that this is humanity's last hope?

Searches for "Booster'and" obviously we need a spaceship so the game begins with a visit to... the Central Bank of the planet Axia, which will have to take out a loan for the purchase and equipping its own ship. The loan, which will one day have to give. You must also keep in mind that the vehicle you buy, with you until the very end. Can't!

Omnitrend Universe is a simulation at 100%, until the last of his bits. Many believe that the game got fame due to released in 1984, Elite, which just hit my arcade, and simplicity compared to the Universe.

The main difference Omnitrend Universe from the well-known simulators is that the player can influence events only indirectly, using commands that are executed by the computer of the ship (which, incidentally, is very limited in memory and speed). For example, in order to enter orbit of the planet, you can simply specify the height and order, and it is possible to calculate the optimal trajectory of convergence, which will save time and energy.

Almost all the time in the game passes for select menu items and enter parameters for operations, and most game screens – text. However, the graphics in the game is, and it is just what you would expect in 1983: "wire" model ships color images of the planets and even the animated insertion of a rapprochement with the space station orbit (the latter is calculated in real time based on the laws of physics).

There are even sounds that can be heard in several cases: when receiving vehicle damage, in the processing of ore when docking with a space shipyard and the sale of goods.

To save money on repayment of the loan can be different: be the local analogue of the taxi driver and carry passengers, to trade, to mine ore (it is the universal fuel for reactors) and, of course, to engage in robbery. But even if you try to make a living peacefully, there is no guarantee that local lovers of gain will not decide what to get honestly produced goods faster and cheaper to fight anyway.

Trading takes place on space stations like the exchange simulator: in the list of current applications need to be able to choose the one which is most to your liking. This applies to both the purchase and sale, – it may be that to sell, for example, hold full Tetherow will be possible only after a long wait.

Do not want to buy and play on the price difference? Ruda is a universal unit of account and is always at the same rate (taking into account commissions when buying and selling, of course), but its production is also not very easy. First, you need to find a place for the production with high concentration. Secondly, successfully lowered to the surface of the planet its mining units. And thirdly, it is often the place remains first... to win with the help of the Marines: no one will give you just go on their planet, if that's not quite barbarians.

Planetary battles occur automatically on the tactical map. Before the battle you can choose the place of landing, landing capsules, and during the fight the capsules can be retracted (a new capsule costs money, and fix broken much cheaper). The battle to influence the captain of the ship, hanging in orbit, it can't.

Battles in space happen quite a different way. First, the ships exchanged volleys of lasers and missiles through the vacuum, at the same time bonding with each other. The firing is fully controlled by the captain: what to shoot, when to shoot and, more importantly, where. On the enemy ships and yours, all the system is distributed across the compartments and shooting them, these systems can be damaged or completely destroyed. Ends the confrontation, or the destruction of one of the ships, or if you managed to destroy the engine of an enemy ship and approach it close enough, boarding. On the progress of the fight in the boarding phase cannot be influenced, it is only possible to give the command of the retreat, if a "whiff of fried".

Omnitrend Universe is a game for the patient, but it has one feature: in-game time is relentless and does not stop even for a second – even when the player gives the command or calculates the trajectory of convergence. On the other hand, every time to wait for the end of flights sitting at a computer is not necessary: the game helpfully will accelerate over time, and takes 6.8 days hyperspace will happen instantly, and interplanetary flight will accelerate to 500 times.

Play Universe, without a manual impossible. And not only because the game is copy-protected, or because it describes all thirty-seven types of systems that can be installed on the ship. Without documentation it is unclear even how to buy a vehicle, not to mention what to do with him then. And there are detailed steps that you can take when beginning a new game: they are familiar with most aspects, starting with equipping a ship to interstellar travel and trade.

Omnitrend Universe – the game is definitely not for everyone. It requires a thoughtful approach and very careful planning. But nothing brings as much satisfaction as successfully cranked trading between multiple planets.

Play your favorite childhood game Universe online in your browser for free here.

Source: Archive.org, Mobygames.com