I decided to play another old Apogee platform game after Crystal Caves. Next up was Secret Agent, which used the Crystal Caves game engine and was released a year later in 1992. As with Apogee’s other shareware titles, it featured three episodes. Yesterday, I finished the first episode, The Hunt for Red Rock Rover. Instead of a mine, an island map served as the main screen. As Agent 006½, you have to infiltrate 16 structures in each episode. After completing 15 of the standard ones, you unlock the ability to access the main fortress. There were a few hard levels. Surprisingly, the main fortress was not one of them. Overall, it is very similar to the gameplay of Crystal Caves. I’ve enjoyed it thus far. However, I may need a break before returning to complete the next two episodes, Kill Again Island and Dr. No Body.


The Hunt for Red Rock Rover ending screen

The latest computer game on my playlist was Crystal Caves, a 1991 release from Apogee Software. It was another solid platform game from the company that brought us Commander Keen and other classics. I finished all three episodes: Troubles with Twibbles, Slugging it Out and Mylo Versus the Supernova. Some of the levels were tough. Like other similar games, it is very easy to die so it can be maddening at times. I stuck it out to the end, however.


Troubles with Twibbles ending screen

Thanks to GOG, I was able to experience a 20+ year old classic I’ve always wanted to play. That game is Master of Orion, released by MicroProse in 1993. It was one of the earliest 4X sci-fi computer games, sometimes referred to as “Civ in space.” Back in the day, instead of playing Master of Orion (MoO) I was playing the very similar Galactic Civilizations. Released months before MoO, GalCiv was a classic in its own right. It was probably the most famous game ever made for OS/2 and it was certainly an all-time favorite of mine.

For my first Master of Orion game, I chose a medium sized galaxy with three opponents. I played the Humans while my computer opponents were the Sakkra (expansion minded lizard men), the Mrrshan (an aggressive catlike race), and the Meklars (cybernetic beings who are masters of production). Things were peaceful in the early years as each race explored and settled colonies. We traded with all three races and formed a full alliance with the Sakkra. Human expansion irritated the Mrrshan and they eventually declared war on us. The Meklars joined Mrrshan in the war. After defeating the Meklars and Mrrshan, we had an extended peace with the Sakkra. Unfortunately, the lack of available planets to colonize went against the Sakkra’s expansionistic nature. Our alliance broke down and we were drawn into a conflict. We defeated them in a final war to reform the Galactic Imperium. The High Council elected me as High Master of the Galaxy.


Our former allies, the Sakkra, deliver an ultimatum.