GAME OF THE DAY
Set phasers to fun
The Captain is Dead
Only YOU can save the crew!
Spoiler alert! The captain really is dead in this all-action space adventure, but you should be more concerned about alerts of the yellow and red variety. As the game frequently reminds you, those are bad.
Based on a popular board game, The Captain is Dead plunges your starship crew into a nightmare scenario. Not only has your vessel broken down, it’s under constant attack from alien forces who tend to shoot first and ask questions later. Your primary objective is fixing the ship’s Jump Core so you can escape to safety.
Luckily, you’re surrounded by officers you’d want alongside you in a tricky situation – each bringing a unique set of skills to your ready room. The Chief Engineer, for example, is a genius when it comes to repairs, while the Admiral is a master of strategy. Although the standard Crewmen are expendable, they’re easy to replace.
The Captain is Dead’s gameplay is turn-based, with each character getting a certain number of actions. That means you have to play strategically, working out whether to prioritise fixing a faulty control panel or fighting off the alien invaders on the bridge.
You have plenty of futuristic tech to fall back on, including a handy Teleporter and a healing Trauma Station. The game also wears its sci-fi influences proudly on its sleeve – from Star Trek™ to 2001: A Space Odyssey – and has a knowing sense of humour about the whole thing.