Decaffeinated Jedi Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 The other day, I was thinking about the Space Quest series and trying to identify a segment from one of the games that embodies what I think of as Space Quest at its very best. Is there a particular sequence from the series that encapsulates everything we love about Roger Wilco's adventures? The best that I came up with (and I realize this kind of thing is completely subjective) is the junk freighter sequence that opens Space Quest 3. I can't think of another segment from the series where the art, puzzle design, writing, and even the music all come together so effectively. It also incorporates some interesting/innovative mechanics for a SCI0 game; the recolored sprite when Roger walks into shadowy areas, the bucket lift, the conveyor belt, the grabber, and the Aluminum Mallard controls all spring to mind. Better still, the sequence is self-contained. Escaping the junk freighter almost works as its own standalone mini-adventure. Another candidate that occurred to me was the Kiz Urazgubi sequence from Space Quest 5, but that's probably just my SQ5 love talking. ;) What do you folks think? What sequence embodies Space Quest at its very best? Jess Johnathon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcj Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 Oh yeah, the first part of SQ3 is brilliant. Given that SQ1 can be completed in under 10 minutes that's a pretty good "segment" too, though probably not what you're looking for. Maybe the first part of SQ4 as well, up through Roger using the timepod for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datadog Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 The SQ3 freighter is pretty great example on its own. The objectives are very self-explanatory as you explore, and puzzles logically open themselves up as you wander into different parts of the ship. It's one of my favorite SQ sequences to play. I also rather like the WD-40 sequence from SQ5. While there's only way to solve the puzzle, they have it set up so she can chase you all over the place. The freedom of movement during a chase scene is pretty great on its own. I also have a soft spot for the Inner Stellar puzzles at the end of SQ6. It's educational, and they make creative use of the body's functions for puzzle-solving. I really wish more of the game had been like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcj Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 I also liked Genetix in SQ5. Great feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Procestuous Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 I always enjoyed wandering around the Galaxy Galleria in Space Quest 4. The only thing that disappointed me was that you couldn't actually eat any of the sushi (and die most likely) from the Susie Bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicallyInspired Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 SQ3 opening is a great example. I also liked the Kiz Urazgubi sequence in SQ5 as well. SQ1 all the way through is great. The whole Kerona sequence in particular. I like the first few Labion sections with escaping the prison escort and being on the run. The whole atmosphere to the beginning of SQ4 I loved as well, before the first Time Pod trip. Dat Engineer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dat Engineer Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 SQ3 opening is a great example. I also liked the Kiz Urazgubi sequence in SQ5 as well. SQ1 all the way through is great. The whole Kerona sequence in particular. I like the first few Labion sections with escaping the prison escort and being on the run. The whole atmosphere to the beginning of SQ4 I loved as well, before the first Time Pod trip. That's about 40% of Space Quest you've listed there. MusicallyInspired 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frede Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I think I'm gonna go with the SQ3 garbage freighter as well. I like SQ1 and parts of SQ2, but there's something about that sequence that just makes everything gel, making it pretty synonymous with the title "Space Quest." The Arcada in SQ1 would be a close contender, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intendant S Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I think that the garbage freighter in SQ3 was certainly a defining moment, as was the Arcada in SQ1. However, if there's one segment that sums up how much of a "loser" (in a good way) Roger is would have to be at the end of SQ3 when not even Ken Williams would take him on as a janitor. I felt it symbolized that, while he got lucky several times and saved Xenon on multiple occassions, he's still a janitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decaffeinated Jedi Posted July 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I agree that the Arcada sequence works really well. It's a little light on puzzles, but it definitely establishes the classic Space Quest "vibe" quickly and effectively. You know everything you need to know about Roger as soon as he stumbles out of that janitor's closet to discover the Sariens' handiwork. Jess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdrslashvohaul Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 I agree that the Arcada sequence works really well. It's a little light on puzzles, but it definitely establishes the classic Space Quest "vibe" quickly and effectively. You know everything you need to know about Roger as soon as he stumbles out of that janitor's closet to discover the Sariens' handiwork. Jess At the risk of blaspheming, I think that "vibe" is perfectly recreated in the opening sequence of Incinerations. The bit that I always think about with SQ is the beginning of SQ4. The whole thing is brilliant, with Gary Owens, the art, the music, the genuine tension you get from the robot and the zombie. Excellent. I know the Crowemurphyists wanted a parser, but I still think they nailed it, even with the point n' lick interface. Monolith_Pig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikey Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Point n lick! I love it! Hmm, this is a hard one. The Stowaway sequence in SQ4, or maybe the Shuttle Bay or Space scene in SQ6.. SQ5 where Rog graduates, SQ2 at Vohaul's fortress, SQ3 the closing scenes with the 2 Guys, or Phleebhut, SQ1 the opening scene, or really anything in the game at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmic Castaway Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Since no one's mentioned it, the first half of Space Quest 5, from the academy through to the Space Bar. Everything about this section just screams Space Quest to me, probably because it was the first Space Quest I ever saw. Go figure how that works. Also, it's one of the few points where Roger actually cleans. Far more than the previous games at any rate. I think its safe to say that SQ5 features more cleaning than all the other games, and as such should recognized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob476 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 The only other major player-controlled cleaning I can think of is zapping the trash cans in SQ3. You see Rog sweeping at the beginning of SQ2 but of course he quickly loses his space broom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frede Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 He's vacuuming in the SQ6 intro as well, but that's obviously not user-controlled either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob476 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Oh I guess sucking up the space trash bags in SQ5 is also indirectly player controlled in as much as you order it to happen. Come to think of it that would have been a half decent arcade sequence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decaffeinated Jedi Posted August 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Oh I guess sucking up the space trash bags in SQ5 is also indirectly player controlled in as much as you order it to happen. Come to think of it that would have been a half decent arcade sequence. Way back the day, there was a fan game titled Eureka Trash Pickup that featured a simple arcade sequence based on those scenes. I'm not sure if it still exists out there somewhere (or if it would run on modern systems). Jess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troels Pleimert Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Way back the day, there was a fan game titled Eureka Trash Pickup that featured a simple arcade sequence based on those scenes. I'm not sure if it still exists out there somewhere (or if it would run on modern systems). Jess It still exists, and Chris Geroux, the creator, is still alive and kickin' it. He also still has copies of his old Klik-n-Play games, including Eureka Trash Pickup. He's on Twitter: @dopefishlives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troels Pleimert Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Sadly, I am hard pressed to come up with a better example of "true" Space Questery than Jess' garbage freighter. I agree, that section really EMBODIES Space Quest. I do want to highlight the Galaxy Galleria in SQ4. Everyone twitches nervously when they hear it, because of the Skate-o-Rama. But actually that whole sequence is perfectly symptomatic of SQ. Even though he's in a crowded mall, Roger is still completely and utterly alone, the threat of mortal danger constantly over his head, and he's wearing a fucking dress to boot. Also, it bears repeating that the ending of SQ2 - even if it's just one puzzle in the escape pod - is downright poetic. Sir Procestuous and Monolith_Pig 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomimt Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 The opening set in Xenon in SQ4 has always appealed to me. You dodge danger after another, solve some puzzles and then you stumble to the time machine in true Roger style without good grasp on what you are doing. Plus there's a lot of stylish graphics there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PandaLeon Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and kinda just came across by accident whilst feeling very nostalgic. I've played SQ3 from start to finish and still one of my fondest gaming memories from back in the day. I have all the games in a box set but have kinda just kept it for nostalgic purposes. Is there any other games in the series that you'd recommend or have I already experienced the best? Cheers, pcj and MusicallyInspired 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicallyInspired Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 If you haven't played all six, do that. They're all good. pcj and PandaLeon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PandaLeon Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Ok cool thanks! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTentacle Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 The whole first sequence in SQ3, which I think is the best game of the series, followed by SQ4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTentacle Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and kinda just came across by accident whilst feeling very nostalgic. I've played SQ3 from start to finish and still one of my fondest gaming memories from back in the day. I have all the games in a box set but have kinda just kept it for nostalgic purposes. Is there any other games in the series that you'd recommend or have I already experienced the best? Cheers, My strong recommendation is SpaceVenture: http://guysfromandromeda.com/store/ True, it isn't a Space Quest game, but it is designed by the same people and done in the same spirit. It also hasn't been completed yet, but you can preorder. JimmyTwoBucks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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