Home of the Underdogs
About News FAQs Contact HOTU GoogleGroup Music Manuals
Category Applications Action Adventure Education Interactive Fiction Puzzle Role Playing Games Simulation Special Sport Strategy War




Support the EFF
Welcome How you can help
Browse Games
Welcome Random Pick
Welcome By Company
  Welcome By Theme  
Welcome By Alphabet
Welcome By Year
Welcome Title Search
Welcome Company Search
Welcome Designer Search
Recommended
Welcome Freeware Titles
Welcome Collections
Welcome Discord
Welcome Twitter
Welcome Facebook
Welcome File Format Guide
Welcome Help: Non PC Games
Welcome Help: Win Games
Welcome Help: DOS Games
Welcome Recommended Links
Site History Site History
Legacy Legacy
Link to Us Link to Us
Credits Thanks & Credits
Abandonware Ring

Abandoned Places

dungeoncrawlers.org

Creative Commons License


Game #234
Hall of Belated Fame Inductee  Cosmoserve    View all Top Dogs in this genre
Interactive Fiction   Monumental

Rating: 9.02 (38 votes)

Cosmoserve box cover

Cosmoserve screenshot
For those of you too young to understand what kind of game the title implies, I'll just give it away: Cosmoserve is a very clever game that makes fun of Compuserve, the on-line provider giant of yore (think AOL with less snazzy graphics). You're a part-time programmer who has to log on to Cosmoserve to get help on programming. Along the way, you'll navigate the mazes of bulletin boards, deal with SYSOPs (System Operators), and use the very realistic DOS commands within the game.

As R.J. Wright, a programmer who also fixes indoor plumbing to make ends meet, you have several problems you must solve -- and quickly. The major task at hand is completing the code for a program you must deliver to an important client first thing tomorrow morning. The clock is ticking, but the code won't compile. And now you've forgotten your new CosmoServe password; how are you going to check your email to see if the technical support SYSOP has replied to your plea for help? You must also contend with mysterious computer viruses, gaining access to virtual reality mode, fraudulent charges on your CosmoServe account, and a dangerous online stalker. Almost all of the game's 86 locations are online in the CosmoServe service or otherwise on the plane of virtual reality; you can also putter around R.J.'s house or the C: drive on your computer. Examining all the files in all directories on your hard drive is crucial to finding clues, as is entering each area on CosmoServe. The faux DOS interface was as much fun as the inside jokes about CompuServe. You must also keep an eye on the ticking clock so that you can be on time to rendezvous with online contacts at scheduled conferences.

The only weak point about the game is that you'll often be at a loss about what to do next, due to the vast number of places to go to and things to read. Also, you are not automatically notified when you earn some points (which are awarded generously). Despite these shortcomings, Cosmoserve is a must have for every IF enthusiast. Definitely the very best game about on-line life I've ever played. Thumbs up!

Reviewed by: Underdogs
Designer: Judith Pintar
Developer: Freeware
Publisher: Freeware
Year: 1997
Software Copyright: Judith Pintar
Theme: Modern, Humorous
Multiplayer:  
None that we know of
System Requirements: DOS
Where to get it:   IF Archive
Related Links:  
Links:    
If you like this game, try: Delusions, Babel, Bureaucracy

© 1998 - 2024 Home of the Underdogs
Portions are copyrighted by their respective owners. All rights reserved. Please read our privacy policy.