Both developed and published by Tsunami Media, Protostar is a 1993 hybrid of simulation, action and adventure that was one of Tsunami’s best sellers at the time of its release. For the most part, it is a space flight strategy game involving trade/exploration/flight simulation, but it does require some rapid reflex motor skills in some of the battle scenes, hence the action tag. There is also very simple point and click interface, reminiscent of the old adventure series. It was originally designed to be part of the Starflight series, but licensing trouble ensued and the name was changed to Protostar and marketed as such.
Both developed and published by Tsunami Media, Protostar is a 1993 hybrid of simulation, action and adventure that was one of Tsunami’s best sellers at the time of its release. For the most part, it is a space flight strategy game involving trade/exploration/flight simulation, but it does require some rapid reflex motor skills in some of the battle scenes, hence the action tag. There is also very simple point and click interface, reminiscent of the old adventure series. It was originally designed to be part of the Starflight series, but licensing trouble ensued and the name was changed to Protostar and marketed as such.
The plot revolves around the hero, a star cruiser commander in a futuristic setting who had gone undercover to pose
as a merchant in order to trade with and infiltrate the enemy Skeetch fleet. The powerful Skeetch are attacking the Human Alliance, and it is up to the protagonist to prevent the destruction of the Human Alliance. By posing as an emissary from Newport, one of the large corporations that refuse to associate with the Human Alliance, you hope the Skeetch will leave you alone, or even accept you within their ranks. Once a bond is formed, you will be able to take command of some of the Skeetch military and thwart their attempts from the inside. However, as payment for using the Newport name, the company requires a type of tithe in the form of Skeetch trade goods. You must also pay a decent crew to man your ships and support the Earth defense system, all requiring more and more resources to be at your disposal.
Protostar begins much like the point and click adventure game, with your character flying about the galaxy interacting with people appropriately and gathering information. Ideally, you will trade your goods with these people and make a profit, but sometimes you anger your business associates and a gunfight breaks out or the Skeetch attack, despite your disguise. Both require a solid knowledge of the controls, because here the space flight simulation begins and you will need to be able to fly to survive.
Overall, the storyline of Protostar is very good…complex, compelling and action-packed. The controls, however, are clunky and difficult to master. Fortunately, there is little combat and more space flight and point and click interface, which is much more manageable. The replayability factor is wonderful, since there are hundreds of systems to visit and trade with, though most seem redundant after a while. This is still a great download. With so many elements combined into one game, there is surely something for everyone.
