View source for Space Rogue

{{short description|1989 science fiction video game}}
{{about|the 1989 video game|the computer security researcher|Cris Thomas|the 1957 book|Rogue in Space}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Space Rogue
|image = Space rogue cover.jpg
|developer = [[Origin Systems]]
|publisher = Origin Systems<br />Wave Brain (PC-98, X68000)<br />[[Night Dive Studios]] (digital)
|producer = Dallas Snell
|programmer = {{plainlist|
* Paul Neurath
* Mark "Adam" Baum
* Steven Muchow
* Ned Lerner
* John Miles
}}
|designer = [[Paul Neurath]]
|artist = {{plainlist|
* Keith Berdak
* Jeff Dee
* Denis R. Loubet
}}
|platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[DOS]], [[FM Towns]], [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], [[PC-9801]], [[X68000]]
|released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|1989}}|1989 (Apple II, C64, DOS, Mac)<br />1990 (Amiga, Atari ST){{vgrelease|JP|July 1990 (FM Towns)}}{{vgrelease|JP|September 24, 1990 (PC-98)}}{{vgrelease|JP|December 18, 1990 (X68000)}}}}
|genre = [[Space combat simulator]], [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Space Rogue''''' is a [[Space flight simulation game|space flight simulation]] [[video game]] developed by [[Origin Systems]] and published by Origin Systems, Wave Brain, and [[Night Dive Studios]]. The game was released in 1989 for [[Apple II]] and [[Commodore 64]]; the series was later [[porting|ported]] to [[DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], [[Amiga]], and [[Atari ST]]. The game was also released in the [[Japanese language|Japanese]] language for [[PC-9801]], [[X68000]], and [[FM Towns]]. The FM Towns version had its intro remade with slight animations and new illustrations, along with scrolling Japanese text, and exclusive CD quality background music. Taking place within the Far Arm of the Milky Way galaxy, ''Space Rogue''{{'}}s main story revolves around the [[player character]]{{'}}s efforts to pursue a career and undertake long-range goals beyond his immediate mission.

The game features elements of a [[role-playing game]], like the much later ''[[X Rebirth]]'' and ''[[Elite Dangerous]]''. It is notable for being the first game designed for Origin by [[Paul Neurath]], who went on to found Blue Sky Productions (later renamed [[Looking Glass Studios]]).

''Space Rogue'' can be considered as the spiritual predecessor to Origin's [[Wing Commander (franchise)|''Wing Commander'']] series. The press release for ''Space Rogue'' stated that it is "the first of its kind in science-fiction/3D space flight simulation. An ORIGIN Cinematic Experience", implying that ''Space Rogue'' was originally meant to be a series of its own ('Ultima in Space'), before later on Origin turned to the ''Wing Commander'' series instead. In 2016, [[Night Dive Studios]] reacquired the rights and re-released it.

== Plot ==
The player takes on the role of a crew member aboard the Princess Blue, who was sent by his captain to investigate a small derelict spacecraft, the Sunracer class [[Jolly Roger]]. While he is on board the Jolly Roger, a group of aliens called the Manchis attack the Princess Blue using their Vulture class ships, destroying it.

Left only with the Jolly Roger, little money, and no ties to anyone, the player can decide his fate from there. He could engage in piracy, hunt bounties, become an interstellar merchant, or become embroiled in the interplanetary politics.

== Gameplay ==
The game is played switching back and forth between a traditional [[Top-down perspective|top-down]] style [[role-playing video game|role-playing game]] (e.g. [[Ultima (series)|''Ultima'']]) and a 3D space combat simulator (e.g. [[Elite (video game)|''Elite'']]). Visiting starships, space stations, outposts, planets, and so on. The player is able to travel from one solar system to another using the ancient Malir Gates' wormhole, a form of 'Star Gate'. A [[minigame]] of travelling through rings must be successfully completed before the player can reach his intended system; a failed minigame will cause an aborted interstellar travel.

During the 3D space flight part of the game, the game offers 3 points of view: [[First-person (gaming)|first person]], [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]], and cinematic.

There is also an arcade game called "Hive!" in the bars, that can be played by the player. The gameplay is a 2D top-down [[Shoot 'em up|shooter]], with the player moving on foot, attacking the incoming Manchis. The ship in the arcade game resembled the Sunracer class ship featured in the manual that came with ''Space Rogue''. After completing five levels, the player can win money which can then be spent in the rest of ''Space Rogue''.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Aggregators -->
<!-- Reviewers -->
 | CGW = 96% (PC){{sfn|Rand|1990|pp=52-53}} 
 | Dragon = 4.5/5 (PC){{sfn|Hartley|Lesser|1990|pp=76-79,102}}
 | Z64 = 97% (C64){{sfn|Hogg|1990|p=8}}
 | award1Pub = [[Zzap!64]]
 | award1 = Golden Medal Award{{sfn|Hogg|1990|p=8}}
}}

''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' called ''Space Rogue'' an "interesting" blend of arcade action, role-playing interaction and economic strategy.{{sfn|DeWitt|1989|p=38}}

In the January 1990 edition of ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'', Patricia Hartley and Kirk Lesser called it a refreshing science-fiction game with crisp graphics that gives the players the feeling of flying in space. They concluded by giving it a rating of 3.5 out of 5, saying that it was an enjoyable adventure that offers a lot of action for a minimal investment.{{sfn|Hartley|Lesser|1990|pp=76-79,102}}

''[[Compute!]]'' stated that "the best of flight simulation and role-playing come together in ''Space Rogue'' ... believably and with style".{{sfn|Guerra|1989|p=132}}

One reviewer for ''[[Zzap!64|Zzap64]]'' in 1990 wrote: "I thought ''[[Elite (video game)|Elite]]'' could never be beaten as the greatest ever space game, but after playing ''Space Rogue'' for hours on end I've changed my mind. This totally outclasses ''Elite'' and is the best Space Game for any machine!"{{sfn|Hogg|1990|p=8}}

In the June 1990 edition of ''[[Games International]]'', Mike Siggins was very disappointed in this game, calling it "an almost exact lift of ''Elite''". He concluded by giving it a very poor rating of 2 out of 10, saying that the players should save the money and stick with the original.<ref name=gi>{{cite magazine|last=Siggins|first=Mike| date=June 1990 |title=Computer Games|journal=[[Games International]]| issue=15|pages=43}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite magazine |last=DeWitt |first=Omar |title=Life in the Fast Frame |url=http://cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_66.pdf |date=December 1989 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=66}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Guerra |first=Bob |title=Space Rogue |url=https://archive.org/stream/1989-12-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_115_1989_Dec#page/n133/mode/2up |date=December 1989 |magazine=[[Compute!]] |volume=11 |issue=115 |issn=0194-357X}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Hartley |first1=Patricia |last2=Lesser |first2=Kirk |date=January 1990 |title=The Role of Computers |url=https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg153.pdf |magazine=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |volume=14 |issue=153 |issn=0279-6848}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Hogg |first=Robin |date=1990 |title=Space Rogue |url=http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=058&magazine=zzap&page=8 |magazine=[[Zzap!64]] |issue=58 |issn=0954-867X}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Rand |first=Paul |date=May 1990 |title=Space Rogue |url=http://amr.abime.net/issue_1703 |issue=102 |magazine=[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]]}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/space-rogue}}
* {{abime|id=2036}}
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/945967-space-rogue ''Space Rogue''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* {{Internet Archive game|msdos_Space_Rogue_1989}}

{{Origin Systems}}

[[Category:1989 video games]]
[[Category:Adventure games set in space]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]
[[Category:Origin Systems games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Space trading and combat simulators]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]