Co-operative games are great. I adore working as a team to solve problems and experience stories in games. Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator takes cooperative gameplay to a whole new level of role playing and fun.
First things first, It is an incredibly intensive game to set up. You’ll need a base computer, preferably hooked up to a Big Screen or Projector. From there, you’ll need a crew. These fit the standard Star Trek based tropes of Engineering, Weapons, Communications and more. And of course you’ll need a Captain to direct this all. Each of those players will need a computer, or a laptop, or a tablet in order to control their role in the game.
Then begins one of the most ridiculously indulgent and captivating role playing games you’ll ever play.
Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator is designed to be a simulation of crewing a spaceship. The main screen will display a 3D map of a star system, with hazards like asteroids or mines and space stations. The crew will be given an objective, such as delivering supplies or responding to a distress call. Each of the crew will have their own role, and will act according to the needs of the ship. Their own screen will display their own controls, be they for the engines, or for weapons or a science station. Only the captain has full oversight over the mission and the ship, and they have no direct control over it. Instead, Artemis: Bridge Simulator is built on the strength of relying on your friends.
Communications picks up the distress signal from a ship. They’re under attack. They relay the news to the Captain. Captain calls to the pilot who sets the ships compass heading and the speed. Engineering diverts extra power that way, while keeping an eye on their surplus. Upon arrival, lasers bounce off the ships shields. The Captain orders the ship to be brought around to the right heading. The Science Officer works out the frequency of the enemy shield and passes this information to Weapons. The captain asks engineering to divert extra power to the Shields so that the ship can get closer. Weapons waits for the pilot to move within range, and then takes the shot.
All of this has been a chaotic cacophony of laughter and ridiculous yelling. It is complex and messy and self indulgent as experiences go. But when it works, Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator is incredibly satsifying.
The game can be played via an online connection, with each player behind their own screenc communicating via voice chat. But together, in one room, the simplistic graphics and tropey missions become far more than the sum of their parts. Via Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator, A living room is transformed into a Starship’s Bridge, with a group of friends transformed into a tight knit crew as each mission plays out.
Artemis is available on Steam, or from the creators site (This is the version I’d strongly recommend as it will provide enough installers for all players.)