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I’ve crash landed.
Not going to lie, that was tremendously traumatic. Limbs attached? Head attached? Check. That’s a good start. I like those things, and I’m pleased to find them in the correct places. Others haven’t been so lucky. Might have to delegate to other survivors to shift those bits and pieces, the sight of it all is no good for my gag reflex.
What’s on the agenda? Panic attack. Yes, that feels like a suitable response and this is a suitable time. Here we go: aaaahhh I’m a zillion miles away from home aaaaahhhh I’ll never see my loved ones again aaaahhh I’m going to die in a horrible way aaaahhhh
There. Done. Maybe need a proper ticky list to focus on. Where are we, and is rescue coming? Phew, a bit of good news, we’ve crash landed on Kaimas, a known planet, so the Corporation will find us. Okay, I can stop weeping uncontrollably. Atmosphere and environment should be amenable to supporting life, i.e. us survivors, so why not get the colonization process started? It would be good for the survivors, and as a little bonus the Corporation might give me a juicy raise… Hang on, somebody else has had the same thought. Fair play, I suppose, but we all know that I can do the best job. I’m over-qualified, in fact. That’s if you can ignore the unreasonable panic attack, the lack of knowledge about most things, the fact that all technology is allergic to me…
Yeah, it’ll be fine.
To start with, I need a crew. Just a couple of reliable people to help me get processes started. I haven’t got time to pull more out of stasis, not unless I want my opponents to get light years ahead of me. No, not those two, I wouldn’t trust them to open a can of beans.
Who have we got then? From engineering I’ve got Stavros Zabat, and on his slate he’s described as ‘Resilient’ – this is code for head like a brick and means my structures will be safe from all threats. Useful. And here’s Jocelyn Aston from operations, classed as a ‘Diplomat’ and able to use her influence so I can take actions easier. In other words, she dishes out sweeties. Good stuff.
Got my team. Let’s colonize.
There’s only so many structures I can build in a year, particularly this first year when I’m restricted to four. The crash damaged the manufactory, much like it damaged most of our vital systems. Coffee machine’s okay, though. I hate coffee.
I need to choose the territory I claim carefully. I haven’t got much to start with, which means precious little resources to call on. I’ve got to spend wisely to get the most bang for my buck, right? I’ll stick to the river for a little while, a source of water seems like a sensible option. Here’s some titanium, nice one, and in this tile I’ll set up an energy generator. We’re going to have to increase the amount of resources we’re generating if there’s any hope of affording some upgrades. Listen to me, I almost sound like I know what I’m talking about. I told you I’d make something of myself, mother.
Hang on, what’s going on at the other side of the crash site? My opponent is upgrading their titanium mine, which means they’ll be pulling in more of a vital resource than I am, and that means they’ve got a plan. Well, I can have a plan too! My crew aren’t doing as much for me as I’d like – yes, we’re going to lay the blame of my difficulties upon others. Training is the way to go. Stavros my engineer could be a lot more use if I put him through a few courses and lift his level from five to eight… Hey, word’s got back to the company that I’m training up staff, it seems like I’ve scored a couple of points in their eyes – in their words, I’m making my way up the Tracker. It’s put me ahead of the pack. Only slightly, but I’ll take every little advantage.
I need to wake up more crew. I could do with a scientist. Or anyone with a brain, really. And more company too. It’s a bit quiet round here. Just me, Stav, Joce, and my enemies… I mean opponents. There’s no enemies here, just a race to an unbelievable promotion… What’s this? Murder! Someone has killed Stav! There’s only person who could have ordered this, and it’s that sour-faced scoundrel over by the titanium mines. There, my enemy…
In case you can’t tell, I’m loving the world-building (literally in this game) and the emergent storytelling is excellent. Sci-fi nuts shouldn’t sleep on this one. Want to find out how your own story would run? Sign up at Intrepid Games’ Kickstarter page for Lander: After The Crash and get notified when the crowdfunder goes live here.
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