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Supernova 1987 (Video Game)

 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
type
TVTItem
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
label
Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
page
Supernova1987
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
comment
Supernova is an Interactive Fiction written by Scott Miller and Terry Nagy, before the founding of and publication under Apogee Software.The main character, a random miner on the planet Barre-An, is experiencing the dwindling metal output and starts to look for a new fortune. After overhearing a possible lead, he flies his spacecraft to a remote planet and searches the pyramid for a valuable crystal, claimed to be worshipped as a god. Shortly thereafter, he stumbles upon another more advanced civilization that seemingly abandoned their installations, and who are aware of their own solar system about to be destroyed.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
fetched
2023-09-21T01:43:09Z
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
parsed
2023-09-21T01:43:09Z
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_1bd4c0bf
type
Unwinnable by Design
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_1bd4c0bf
comment
Unwinnable by Design: Cruel on Zarf's Cruelty Scale. You can miss a single-time important clue at the beginning (although it doesn't change on future playthroughs). It's also easy to skip a key item in the communications room (specifically the security suit), and thus be unable to safely navigate the planet-ship. Also, the game includes what amounts to a time-delay "inorganic vaporizer ray" - entering the final area requires you to immediately drop everything to avoid having the items destroyed.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_1bd4c0bf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_1bd4c0bf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_1bd4c0bf
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29a39f6
type
Easter Egg
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29a39f6
comment
Easter Egg: If you dig the ground outside the pyramid, you fall into a pit containing skeletons of the authors. The clue for the room implies it's a forever trap, but touching the bone returns you. Note that there's also another forever trap in the pyramid itself, which has no escape, and has no clue.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29a39f6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29a39f6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29a39f6
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29c50e28
type
Trial-and-Error Gameplay
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29c50e28
comment
Trial-and-Error Gameplay: There's a few dead-ends, with limited indication that they're specifically dangerous. There's also guesswork with the transporter buttons, picking Cyan too early means you lack an item needed to progress.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29c50e28
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29c50e28
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_29c50e28
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac2a3e3
type
Deadly Gas
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac2a3e3
comment
Deadly Gas: The "Holey Hall", which is described in-game as a long featureless hall, releases gas after you taken the item in the secret room. These gas sprays come from unseen slots.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac2a3e3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac2a3e3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac2a3e3
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac5110b
type
Unintentionally Unwinnable
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac5110b
comment
Unintentionally Unwinnable: Saving the game costs a turn. If done so one turn before disaster, the player dies in the current session, and upon reloading.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac5110b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac5110b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_3ac5110b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_4508b16b
type
The Guards Must Be Crazy
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_4508b16b
comment
The Guards Must Be Crazy: The first encountered droid doesn't attack if you wear a security uniform. When you reach a security scanner, you're then recognized as an intruder even though you're sent there by the scientist and trying to fix the reactor.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_4508b16b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_4508b16b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_4508b16b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_49dd91c9
type
Over 100% Completion
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_49dd91c9
comment
Over 100% Completion: Bug. The player can get 1005 out of 1000 points, but the game doesn't have a rank for it. Specifically, "Turn device on" and "turn on device" both award 5 points for the same effect, but are tracked under different score flags.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_49dd91c9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_49dd91c9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_49dd91c9
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_5889ca1d
type
Mineral MacGuffin
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_5889ca1d
comment
Mineral MacGuffin: There's a clear crystal that's valuable and that player wants to sell for profit. However, the player is unable leave on his own ship with no explanation given. Instead, it's used as a compatible timing crystal used in the central reactor.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_5889ca1d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_5889ca1d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_5889ca1d
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_65cd1b5e
type
Acid Pool
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_65cd1b5e
comment
Acid Pool: In addition to the lethal acidic stream in the wilderness, there's two acid pits in the pyramid. The first is hazardous if the crystal isn't properly retrieved, and the second is a retracting floor.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_65cd1b5e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_65cd1b5e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_65cd1b5e
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_68913e61
type
Hello, [Insert Name Here]
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_68913e61
comment
Hello, [Insert Name Here]: Before the game starts, the player types their name. They have to retype it when they start using their ship to disable the defense system.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_68913e61
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_68913e61
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_68913e61
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_6ec989d8
type
Guide Dang It!
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_6ec989d8
comment
Guide Dang It!: The information not presented to the user is only obtained by using unique commands specific to the situation that requires it. Additionally, there's no explicit prompt to examine a non-descript wall, nor a specific reason to examine something with an additional adverb when normally examining something gives a proper response.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_6ec989d8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_6ec989d8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_6ec989d8
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_7ae4d273
type
Point of No Return
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_7ae4d273
comment
Point of No Return: Travelling to the jungle planet is the first, followed by the cyan button in the transporter booth, then the proper entry into the final ship. The second point is also egregious, considering that the miner was only there to grab the treasure rather than solve what's going on with the installations - as far as he's concerned, it would have only been a sidequest.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_7ae4d273
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_7ae4d273
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_7ae4d273
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_8c83208f
type
You Can't Get Ye Flask
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_8c83208f
comment
You Can't Get Ye Flask: Two required commands require adverbs that should otherwise be unnecessary. First is "Listen carefully", requires to hear the coordinates. Second is "examine robot carefully", in order to learn that there's a panel to open. This adverb also has a few in-parser synonyms, allowing the player to get the same result by doing those two actions gently, softly, calmly, quietly, lightly or easily; the latter also accepts any adverb group such as slowly, powerfully, or quickly.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_8c83208f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_8c83208f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_8c83208f
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_91e894b4
type
Apocalypse How
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_91e894b4
comment
Apocalypse How: Stellar physical destruction, which the civilization's scientists thinks will happen at any moment.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_91e894b4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_91e894b4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_91e894b4
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_94bc84ad
type
Sdrawkcab Speech
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_94bc84ad
comment
Sdrawkcab Speech: The display screens in the late game have all words (not sentences) written backwards. Also, when you first meet the scientist, his words are also backwards before he adjust his wristband. This is also written into some of the nouns. Drazil (small creature) and Erusaert (room name) are both backwards spellings.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_94bc84ad
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_94bc84ad
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_94bc84ad
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_9abe931d
type
Quicksand Sucks
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_9abe931d
comment
Quicksand Sucks: There's a quicksand pit on the jungle planet in one of the forks, escaped by grabbing a vine.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_9abe931d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_9abe931d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_9abe931d
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_aa07733b
type
Hint System
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_aa07733b
comment
Hint System: You can get a room-specific hint by typing "clue". Each hint costs 25 points of score, bypassed by saving and reloading, and is not updated based on context.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_aa07733b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_aa07733b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_aa07733b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bb48f8ba
type
Timed Mission
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bb48f8ba
comment
Timed Mission: Once you enter the final area, you have about 90 turns. This timer is reset to 40 turns once you speak with the scientist, and there's also a point where you get injured leaving only 15 turns to change the crystal.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bb48f8ba
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bb48f8ba
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bb48f8ba
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bf487e2b
type
Translator Microbes
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bf487e2b
comment
Translator Microbes: The scientist's wristband serves as a translation device, which works once he adjusts it.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bf487e2b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bf487e2b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_bf487e2b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_e6ce4b
type
The Maze
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_e6ce4b
comment
The Maze: The mirror maze has walls that randomly appear and disappear, requiring multiple command entries to pass. It is also homogeneous (each room is described identically), and tricky because an exact sequence of moves are needed (which don't seem to match with a natural layout).
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_e6ce4b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_e6ce4b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_e6ce4b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ea826f60
type
Descending Ceiling
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ea826f60
comment
Descending Ceiling: A third in a sequence of escape traps, and it's stopped by a single rod.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ea826f60
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ea826f60
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ea826f60
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ee828827
type
Wizard Needs Food Badly
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ee828827
comment
Wizard Needs Food Badly: The water (130 turns), food (175 turns), and sleepyness (230 turns) timers. The sleepy one doesn't give too much warning of the player is too far away from their ship, and is the only one that can't be handled early, requiring a rest before attempting a new location. There is also a limited supply of food, creating a maximum turn limit for the player.
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ee828827
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ee828827
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_ee828827
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
type
ItemName
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
comment
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
featureApplicability
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
featureConfidence
1.0
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game) / int_name
itemName
Supernova 1987 (Video Game)

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hint System / int_dc15a89b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Mineral MacGuffin / int_dc15a89b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Over 100% Completion / int_dc15a89b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Sdrawkcab Speech / int_dc15a89b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Wizard Needs Food Badly / int_dc15a89b
 Supernova 1987 (Video Game)
hasFeature
You Can't Get Ye Flask / int_dc15a89b