Warpspeed

Infobox VG
title = Warpspeed


caption =
developer = Accolade
publisher = Accolade
release = December 1992 (SNES)
1993 (Genesis)
genre = Space flight simulator
modes = Single-player
platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES

"Warpspeed" is a space flight simulator video game created by Accolade for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Super NES.

Gameplay

The premise of "Warpspeed" is to rid the current scenario of enemy fighters. Scenarios make use of quadrants in which the player flies sector by sector or uses faster-than-light travel to warp from sector to sector. Most space flight consists of navigating asteroid fields, although some sectors contain mines that must be destroyed. During the course of gameplay, the player receives transmissions regarding various topics, consisting of clearing out minefields to travelling to a specific sector to obtain some manner of space technology before the enemy reaches it. Other transmissions are distress signals from space stations asking for assistance from approaching enemy fighters.

Features

"Warpspeed" features gameplay that takes simulates all directions of movement, allowing the player to supposedly travel in 360 degrees in flight; however, the quadrant is laid out in a 2-D configuration so that the player only really travels along an X-axis and a Y-axis. Wormholes are also located in various quadrants and allow transport to other quadrants; however, they slowly deplete the vessel's warp drive reserves.

The game allows four different space craft for the player to use, each with progressively stronger weapons. The players accumulated game score eventually allows the player to automatically upgrade to the next available craft. The game also features an award system based on the number of points you have gained from destroying enemy fighters to achieving other goals.

The game also features a damage system that affects the performance of your craft. For instance, if the damage control screen indicates your engines have been damaged, your maximum speed will decrease; if your weapons system has taken damage, your weapons will not always fire correctly, etc.

Throughout the quadrant there may be one or multiple space stations for the player to dock with, refuel and replenish their ship's systems, ammunition, and warp drive reserves. These stations are critical to the player and if they are lost, they can not be replaced.

If the players craft suffers too much damage, the vessel will be destroyed. The player has three lives to complete the chosen scenario. If the player loses all three lives, the game is over.