Escape Velocity: Classic Mac Gaming at its Best

Back in the old days of OS 9, Ambrosia once made an excellent series of games under the moniker Escape Velocity. The series started with Escape Velocity, then came EV Nova, and the series ended with EV Override. Part RPG, part space adventure, these games let you do a little bit of everything. In fact, right after Myst and Civilization, this was probably my favorite series for OS 9. But of the three I would like to focus on the original game for a moment.

Sadly, the original game only runs on OS 9, so all you would-be adventurers out there will have to make sure you have Classic installed if you want this baby to run (trust me, its worth it). However, the second and third games in the series are both OS X native. But if you are brave enough to install Classic, a wonderful universe of trading, exploration, and killing awaits you. And who doesn’t love killing, I mean really? Especially when it’s space pirates? But I’m getting ahead of myself.

If you want screen shots, intricate details, plot lines, etc. then follow the link above to Ambrosia’s main Escape Velocity site. There you can access all the info you need to get up to date on the EV universe. (By the way, if you want to buy the game it will only run you a mere $20.) In the meantime though, let me give you a brief rundown on why this game is worth all the effort.

Basically, this game is a 2D, top-down viewing, non-linear space adventure. You command a ship (or small fleet of ships), you travel to different worlds, you buy/sell/trade goods, and you destroy other ships. You start off life in a tiny shuttle with a full tank of gas and a bit of spare change in your pockets. From these humble beginnings, you will buy larger ships, bigger guns, betters shields (and other such awesome add-ons) all in the name of your chosen cause. Speaking of causes, this brings me up to point number two. You, the player, can determine how things turn out in your little universe. Because the galaxy in which you’re dropped is currently engaged in a civil war. You may choose to help the Confederates or the Rebels, but choose you must. Both story lines are interesting and definitely worth playing. Though in the end you’ll probably end up starting over and just hunting pirates the whole time, but that’s your business I suppose.

Now I realize the graphics are dated. And I realize you can get video that looks a zillion times better on your freaking cellphone, or calculator, or watch for that matter, but that isn’t the point. You aren’t going to play this game for the stunning visuals, or for the amazingly intricate game-play. The reason you should play this game is because it’s FUN! Yeah, crazy huh? It really is fun. Even after all these years I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this game. It has an amazing replay value.

So, to wrap it all up, buy this game! If you can’t bring yourself to install OS 9 then buy the second game Escape Velocity Nova and play it on OS X. (Only buy the third one if you really like the series because it’s really, really long.) Either way, this series is loads of fun and will keep you entertained for hours as you play every mission and hunt down all of its secrets. No one can truly call themselves a Mac Geek if they haven’t played this series.

This is Dash Riprock, signing off.