Since there was a little bit of EA bashing going on in a couple of threads, I figured it was time to give them a bit of love with one of the games they published from a bygone era - Starflight. Originally released in 1986 for IBM and Tandy computers, it received several releases afterwards, finding its way to DOS, Macintosh, Amiga, C64 and even the Atari ST. And even managed a console release for the Sega Genesis, or Mega Drive for you non-US readers, in 1991. A sequel was released first in 1989.

As the title indicates, the game is set in sci-fi space and is a completely non-linear exploration game that progresses through cryptic clues gathered from transmissions from the space port or from successful communications with other alien species. What sets it apart is that the galaxy is unknown and must be explored. There is no order in which this must be done and there is a great deal of freedom in completing the game's over-arcing story.

In case anyone's wondering, yes, it is indeed in a vinyl album style cardboard folder. Up until the late 1990s, there wasn't a unified packaging type for PC games. The copy I have is an original IBM/Tandy release from 1986. However, unfortunately, I'm missing the star map that came with it. If you're interested in picking up this game, make sure it has the manual. It's less manual and more galactic guidebook.