Rama (video game)

Rama

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1996 (1996)
Founder	Dynamix
Products	Rama (video game)
Parent	Sierra On-Line

Rama is a point and click adventure game created by Dynamix, a development studio under the publisher Sierra On-Line. It initially launched for DOS and Microsoft Windows platforms in 1996, followed by a MacOS edition in 1997, and a Japan-exclusive release on the PlayStation in 1998. The storyline merges elements from Arthur C. Clarke's novels Rendezvous with Rama and Rama II, placing players in the role of a substitute crew member sent to investigate an alien spacecraft.

While it did not achieve significant commercial success for Sierra, Rama was praised for its challenging puzzles, atmospheric soundtrack, compelling narrative, and innovative alien designs, often drawing parallels to Myst. This title represents Clarke's second contribution to video gaming, following the 1984 interactive fiction game Rendezvous with Rama developed by Telarium.

Gameplay

Played from a first-person viewpoint, Rama enables players to interact with various objects, gather inventory items, and solve intricate puzzles. The game presents multiple environments along with potential hazards. Players rely on a "wristcomp," a wrist-worn computer providing communication capabilities, data analysis tools, and mapping features. Additionally, an android modeled after the character Puck assists players by helping examine objects throughout the adventure.

Plot

Four years earlier, an enormous cylindrical spacecraft named Rama entered the Solar System. The International Space Agency (ISA) sent the "Newton Team" to explore this vessel. Their investigation revealed that Rama is a rotating hollow cylinder housing extensive cities populated by alien species including Myrmicats, Avians, Octospiders, and indigenous Biots—biological robots engineered by Rama's creators.

Players assume the role of an unnamed astronaut who replaces Valeriy Borzov, deceased under unexplained circumstances during the mission. Early objectives involve exploring an area called "the Plains" to acquire items essential for solving logic and math-based puzzles. The player visits two Raman cities known as "London" and "Bangkok" to gain insight into the alien species accompanying the crew. Advancement depends on completing shape-matching puzzles and mathematical problems utilizing octal and hexadecimal numbering systems.

Following exploration of the Plains and collection of crucial items, Rama suddenly alters its trajectory toward Earth. A specialized team initiates "Project Trinity," arming explosives intended to destroy Rama and its inhabitants. The player travels to the "New York" island located within the Cylindrical Sea to deactivate one such bomb after discovering Rama's course change. With only six hours remaining in-game and O'Toole—the sole possessor of the disarm code—missing, players must crack the code to avert detonation.

The concluding segment of the game suggests a sequel was planned but ultimately never developed.

Characters

Several characters originate from Rama II. These roles are portrayed by live actors, with subtle references to a secondary subplot integrated into the gameplay. Some characters are mentioned but do not appear directly:

• Shigeru Takagishi (Scientist) (Jim Ishida)
• David Brown (Mission Commander) (Robert Nadir)
• Francesca Sabatini (Video Journalist) (Tiffany Helm)
• Otto Heilmann (Chief Security Officer) (Sean Griffin)
• Michael O'Toole (Codemaster) (Robert E. Henry)
• Richard Wakefield (Chief Engineer) (Stephan Weyte)
• Reggie Wilson (Print Journalist) (Donald Willis)
• Irina Turgenyev (Career Cosmonaut) (voiced by Sharon Mann)
• Nicole des Jardins (Medical Officer) (Amy Hunter)
• Puck (robot) (Kevin Donovan)
• Falstaff (robot) (Edward F. D'Arms)
• Hiro Yamanaka (IBI Agent)
• Janos Tabori (IBI Agent)
• Valeriy Borzov (IBI Agent; deceased prior to events of the game; replaced by player character)

Development

The title was developed for DOS, Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh platforms, utilizing the third iteration of Sierra's SCI engine. It features a blend of 3D rendered environments alongside live-action performers displayed in 256-color graphics.

Released across two CD-ROM discs, with a third disc dedicated to video content, the introductory segment includes a fictional journalist program that explores Earth's response to the discovery of Rama and presents interviews with principal characters. Additional material comprises short discussions with authors Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee.

Arthur C. Clarke makes appearances in multiple sequences, including moments following player character deaths and the concluding epilogue, where his playful interactions with the surroundings add a layer of entertainment.

Reception

Prior to launch, Sierra On-Line anticipated sales reaching 500,000 copies within the initial three months, focusing on markets speaking English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish. Despite these expectations, by November 1997 sales fell short of projections, with only 25,000 units sold in France.

Reviewers commended Rama for its captivating universe and narrative-driven puzzle design. Keith Ferrel from Computer Gaming World regarded it as a notable advancement toward interactive science fiction storytelling and expressed interest in a follow-up installment. Next Generation recognized its compelling plot and craftsmanship but remarked on its strong resemblance to Myst, which tempered their overall recommendation.

The game was shortlisted for multiple accolades such as the 1996 Computer Game Developers Conference's "Best Adaptation of Linear Media," Computer Gaming World's "Adventure Game of the Year," and CNET Gamecenter's "Best Adventure Game," though it ultimately did not secure any major awards.