Original Release: Xia Liu Bei, PC, 2020
A revival of the ancient Troi-seducing text adventure game, this modern remake adds still graphics with 3D models and a bit more prelude of wandering about the ship
X-Trek: A Night With Troi (PC, Xia Liu Bei, 2020)
Where to Buy: Freeware, download here (Itch.io)
Review by: Master-B
The original A Night With Troi was a edgy-for-1991 text adventure passed around by old-school nerds, mostly enjoyed for its outrageous premise rather than depth of interaction or quality writing or anything like that. Xia Liu Bei’s modern revival of the game (released in late 2020) adds graphics and some more exploration of the ship, but pretty much sticks to the “interactive fiction” style of a short and linear visual novel in which there are few optional things to do.
It’s basically a Renpy game (not sure if that’s the actual engine used, but same style) that offers very little opportunity to fail or deviate from the intended path; occasional menu choices are more the illusion of direction than actual player control. I was disappointed given the 500+ MB download size and preview screenshots, which made it look like there might at least be some Virtual Valerie-style interaction or perhaps even just some animation. Unfortunately, the game is composed of a series of still pre-rendered screens with only the merest of “animations” on rare occasions by cycling through three or four frames.
The characters are actually pretty nice-looking, but they do look more like porn stars from the “adult” parody of TNG rather than the actual characters (Sex Trek anyone?). Aesthetics are actually pretty decent in general with good music choices and background sound, the only thing you’re left wanting is animation really.
The sagacious Xia Liu Bei apparently plans to make a whole ongoing series out of this, as he introduces a bunch of lusty space wenches as you initially explore the ship before hooking it up with Troi to finish the game. Perhaps he’ll add more “game” elements as he increases his powers and holdings. As it is, this first entry just takes you on a guided tour of the Enterprise (not a bad thing given the irreverent portrayals of major TNG characters) then dumps you into a short sex scene with Troi with limited options. The only fail state appears to be if you “fire the photon torpedos” too early when receiving oral counseling from Troi, and you’re blocked from entering any non-storyline part of the ship other than the restroom.
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