Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

EGA Trek delivers a stripped-down yet surprisingly deep starship simulation that owes its roots to the original 1970s Star Trek mainframe game. At its core, each galaxy sector is represented by an 8×8 grid populated with planets, starbases, suns, friendly vessels, and two distinct enemy factions. Navigating this grid with impulse engines to handle fine maneuvers or engaging warp engines to jump between sectors provides a satisfying balance between tactical planning and on-the-fly decision-making.

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Combat in EGA Trek revolves around managing your ship’s two primary weapons systems—lasers and photon torpedoes—while relying on sensors to scan the current sector and adjacent ones for threats. Torpedoes pack a heavier punch but are limited in supply, whereas lasers can be fired repeatedly until your power reserves plummet. The game rewards judicious use of each system, especially once your hull begins to take damage and onboard systems degrade.

Beyond direct confrontations, resource management plays a key role. You must locate starbases to perform quick repairs and resupply vital ammunition and power. Scattered throughout the galaxy are mysterious planets that, when beamed down to, yield bonus points or crew survivors. These side excursions add an exploratory flair, forcing you to weigh the risk of diverting from a combat mission against the potential rewards of discovery and crew survival bonuses.

Graphics

EGA Trek embraces the limitations of 16-color EGA on DOS, blending simple character graphics with a dedicated “viewscreen” window that shows a crude but evocative representation of nearby objects. Though basic by today’s standards, the graphical window adds a visual dimension that many text-only clones lack, helping to immerse you in your role as starship captain.

The primary display remains an ASCII-style strategic map, where symbols represent enemies, suns, and starbases. This retro aesthetic conveys information clearly and efficiently, ensuring that even in the heat of battle you can quickly identify friend from foe. Color-coding helps distinguish between Mongol cruisers, cloaked Vandal ships, and critical objectives, reducing guesswork and keeping the pace brisk.

Animations are minimal but effective: lasers flicker across the grid, torpedo launches update your torpedo count in real time, and system failures are indicated through warning messages and proximity beeps. The visual simplicity doesn’t hinder gameplay; rather, it focuses your attention on tactics and strategy without flashy distractions.

Story

While EGA Trek doesn’t feature a sprawling narrative with intricate characters, it sets up a clear and compelling objective: rid the galaxy of the Mongol and Vandal threats before your ship succumbs to damage or power depletion. The absence of a heavy plot places the emphasis squarely on mission-based progression, with each completed sector feeling like a tangible step toward galactic salvation.

The two enemy factions introduce thematic variety. The Mongols attack in force with battle cruisers of varying strengths, requiring careful prioritization to prevent being overwhelmed. The Vandals, on the other hand, rely on stealth—cloaking themselves to evade your sensors and launch surprise attacks. These mechanics yield dynamic encounters that keep you on your toes.

Exploration offers its own narrative beats: shimmering new worlds that reward your boldness with bonus points or rescued crew members. The knowledge that every planet could yield critical resources or additional hands on deck provides motivation to leave no sector unexplored, even when your hull is smoking and reserves are running low.

Overall Experience

EGA Trek is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic DOS shareware, providing an accessible yet challenging strategic experience. Its lightweight requirements make it easy to run in an emulator or on period hardware, while the shareware distribution model invites casual players to try before they commit, appealing to both nostalgic gamers and newcomers intrigued by retro design.

The learning curve is gentle enough for beginners: in-game instructions and intuitive controls guide you through navigation, combat, and resource management. At the same time, the escalating threat level—from swarming Mongol fleets to cloaked Vandal vessels—ensures that veterans of Star Trek clones will still find themselves strategizing deeply to survive.

Ultimately, EGA Trek shines through its blend of strategy, exploration, and risk management. It may lack modern bells and whistles, but its straightforward gameplay loop, charming graphics window, and relentless pressure from dual empires deliver a satisfying starship command simulation. If you’re looking for a no-frills, brain-teasing homage to the original 1970s Star Trek mainframe era, this shareware clone remains a strong candidate for your DOS library.

Retro Replay Score

null/10