Mavlin: Vesmírný únik
| Mavlin: Vesmírný únik | |
|---|---|
 Cover of the game | |
| Developer(s) | Mael Software Group |
| Publisher(s) | Mael Software Group |
| Release | 1994 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
Mavlin: Vesmírný únik is a 1994 adventure game developed and published by Mael Software Group as its debut title. The game was one of the first Czech point-and-click adventures.[1]
Development
Mael Software Group was formed in 1994 in Děčín by Petr Mandík.[1] The game was worked on by Petr Mandík, who programmed on a black-and-white PC, and Tomáš Jerie, who created the graphics once it was already programmed on the Commodore Amiga 500 computer.[1] The game engine is similar to Sierra Entertainment's Leisure Suit Larry 5, which Mandík had played in the summer of 1994.[1] After finishing that title, he tried to program a similar one, which took about four weeks.[1] The following four weeks after that saw the game's narrative and graphics come into being.[1] The duo playtested the game together in their house and decided that it was fun; they chose to distribute it to players after the holidays, which they did by copying the game to floppy disks and offering it to retail stores.[1]
Plot and gameplay
The player takes control of Earthling Mavlin Malner who is kidnapped by aliens in a flying saucer to the planet of Moguns, and must make his way back home again.[2] The game has fail-states; it is possible for the main character to die.[1]
The gameplay takes the form of a point and click sci-fi adventure, whereby players control Mavlin via six graphically presented commands. The game contains an inventory, however items may only be interacted with hotspots on the screen, and can't be combined.[2]
Critical reception
Unlike other contemporary Czech games such as Tajemství Oslího ostrova (1994) and 7 dní a 7 nocí (1994), Mavlin: Vesmírný únik received a negative reception. For instance, Excalibur magazine only gave the game a rating of 18%, particularly criticising the music and graphic design.[1] Computer Experts likened the title to Stíny noci.[1]