by Oliver Ullmann

Played for IFComp 2009: https://www.bradleycbuchanan.com/b/ifcomp-2009/

Grade: A

The title didn’t lead me to expect much from this game, probably because it evoked memories of The Duel of the Ages which was entertaining but would in no way produce a good work of IF. The opening is the weakest part of the game – once I got into the action, I enjoyed DtStA immensely. The atmosphere while you’re walking around the base infested with robot spiders is terrific. Here’s the moment that made the game for me: “A huge dome spans overhead; it is crusted with thousands of unmoving chrome spiders. They are twinkling down like stars through the dusty atmosphere… A battered desk is balanced precariously at the edge of the platform.” I did find one bug – once the autoturret was loaded, I left it in the storage room and it still shot things wherever I went. Then I went into surgery… and died because I didn’t have the autoturret with me.