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» » Starship Titanic (1998)

Short summary

It seemed like a normal day. Sit back at your computer, put in a new CD-ROM and relax. Unfortunately the galaxy had other plans. Without warning, a loud crash introduces you to the Starship Titanic: The Ship That Cannot Possibly Go Wrong. As the galaxy's most most prestigious, most impressive, largest and therefore most expensive interstellar liner, the Starship Titanic should be the flying treasure of the universe. Unfortunately something has, quite obviously gone wrong, or at least gone unexpectedly. The ship's main computer, Titania, has been sabotaged and gone insane. As a result, all the artificial personalities that manage the ship are also affected. You'll need to deal with a DeskBot, a BellBot, a BarBot not to mention a sarcastic parrot, a proud elevator and a stupid bomb. Without time or consideration to any other options, you find yourself quickly shanghaied aboard the Titanic, given an cheap, economy-sized room and put in charge of fixing the puzzling situation aboard the ...

The voice of the bomb (which is credited to "Kim Bread") is actually the voice of John Cleese, according to Douglas Adams. Adams said that Cleese was working for scale and they could not put his real name in the credits. Cleese had previously (and unsuccessfully) tried to get his name credited under this pseudonym in _"Doctor Who" (1979) {City of Death: Part Four (#17.8)}_, also written by Adams.

Browsing the CD-ROM of the game reveals three endings, yet only two seem to be attainable. Many believe this is a joke played by The Digital Village on those who would "nose around" the disc in this way.

The Special Thanks section of this game includes nods to the entire cast of Friends.

The idea for the story originated in Douglas Adams' 1982 novel "Life, the Universe and Everything". The original reference said that the Starship was one of the first large ships built with an Infinite Improbability Drive, so that it could have a safe journey. There it is said that the Starship actually exploded, and there is no reference to the "Sudden Massive Existence Failure".

A video message from Douglas Adams telling the player to "...Get on with it..." can be found at the begining of the game by clicking on the T.V. in the opening room.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Rose Of Winds
    Douglas Adams shows his brilliant work in this frustrating yet fun and visually stunning pc game. The game isn't meant to be easy. That is why it is so confusing. It's a science fiction adventure game that leaves you with a satisfying feeling. John Cleeses voice cameo is very enjoyably funny!
  • comment
    • Author: Fek
    I like the parrot. And the bomb. especially when you poke the bomb with the stick (if you haven't tried it, do it now).

    Overall, a worthy Douglas Adams.
  • comment
    • Author: Honeirsil
    It's not uncommon for British humor-based games to be made somewhat user-unfriendly (ever try "Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time?"). This one is no exception, for reasons I don't feel like listing.

    My advice: if you buy it at all, buy it for the humor instead of the puzzle play, because it takes way too long to advance without having someone tell you what to do. (This isn't my first puzzle game.)

    Dwelling on the positive side, the absurd-looking objects and miserable specimens reflect the late Douglas Adams very well. The robots and parrot have been endowed with the best voices for their comical personas. Everyone who plays will find at least one character to knock their socks off, if only in prolonged conversation (yes, that feature is something of a plus). Unfortunately, you're bound to get tired of it all before you come too close to repairing Titania.

    In short, despite the lovable seductive characters, you're in for a spell of annoyance if you commit to "Starship Titanic."
  • Credited cast:
    Douglas Adams Douglas Adams - Shorbut Sweet aka Succ-U-Bus / Leovinus
    Quint Boa Quint Boa - Krage Koyotoal IV, the BellBot
    John Cleese John Cleese - The Bomb (as Kim Bread)
    Dermot Crowley Dermot Crowley - Fortillian Bantoburn O'Perfluous, the BarBot
    Renata Henkes Renata Henkes - Elevator / Pellerator
    Terry Jones Terry Jones - Parrot (voice)
    Jonathan Kydd Jonathan Kydd - Edmund Lucy Fentible, the DoorBot
    Laurel Lefkow Laurel Lefkow - Titania / Marsinta Drewbish, the DeskBot / Ship's Announcements
    Philip Pope Philip Pope - RowBot / Nobby, the LiftBot / D'Astragar 'D'Astragaaar' D'Astragar, the Maitre d'Bot
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