Deck & Conn, a new turn-based space combat simulator from Funtime Electrics and published by MicroProse, offers a deliberate homage to Mike Mayfield's seminal 1971 Star Trek game. Developed by Elissa Black, the creator of Objects in Space, this title aims to recapture the intricate, turn-based gameplay reminiscent of early mainframe computer simulations.
The game presents players with a dense interface, featuring numerous acronyms and displays that evoke the feel of vintage machinery. Initiating ship functions, such as activating auxiliary power or waiting for the reactor to charge, forms part of the early game's checklist. Players are tasked with exploring quadrants divided into sectors, searching for rogue elements within a perpetual conflict.
Gameplay involves assigning officers with varying experience levels to manage ship functions like repairs and shifts. The "go to general quarters" command summons senior crew but can lead to exhaustion. Navigation is handled through sublight engines on a grid map, with FTL travel requiring specific warp points. Intel regarding enemy movements and distress calls are relayed through a personal quarters monitor, sometimes requiring a codebook for decryption. Routine hails from friendly vessels appear in a separate transmission window.
Combat in Deck & Conn hinges on strategic power and sensor management. FTL jumps are power-intensive, and exiting warp in close proximity to an enemy can present a significant disadvantage. The game features two primary weapon types: ASR turrets, which fire faster with less damage, and torpedoes, which are more powerful but require a multi-step launch sequence involving target lock, loading, charging, and chute deployment.
Deck & Conn replicates the claustrophobic, often obfuscatory, intimacy of Objects in Space. The visual representation of space is de-emphasized, focusing instead on the internal hum and complexity of the player's ship. However, the game's deliberate complexity and analogue-inspired interface may prove challenging for players accustomed to more streamlined simulation experiences.
Early gameplay suggests a simplification of some mechanics found in Objects in Space. Maneuvering and tactical emissions control, which were key elements in Black's previous work, appear less impactful in Deck & Conn. Some interface elements are noted as frustrating rather than engaging, such as the inability to cancel certain actions. These design choices seem to stem from Deck & Conn's direct recreation of a 1971 game, including a PICO-8 version that informed the game's aesthetic. Deck & Conn is available now on Steam.