Space Quest: Incinerations
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Overview
Space Quest: Incinerations is an ambitious fan-made sequel to Sierra’s beloved Space Quest series, released on January 11, 2012 by Chris Ushko under his Box of Mystery studio label12. The game represents one of the most technically accomplished fan projects in adventure gaming history, featuring over 45 minutes of fully-animated cinematics, 3D-rendered sprites and backgrounds, multiple endings, an achievement system, and over an hour of original music34. Set approximately ten years after the events of Space Quest 6: Roger Wilco in the Spinal Frontier, the game follows the continuing misadventures of space janitor Roger Wilco as he battles to rescue his beloved Beatrice, recover his stolen luggage, and save the universe from destruction56.
The project was six years in development, originally conceived in 1999 before being cancelled and revived in 200678. Ushko, working largely as a solo developer while still in school, created the game as both a labor of love and a portfolio piece to demonstrate his animation skills39. The game re-imagines the Space Quest universe in the style of a modern sci-fi action-thriller while maintaining the comedic sensibilities and puzzle-based gameplay that defined the original series3. As one reviewer noted, “it packs every bit as much charm, considerably more action, and isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at itself where necessary”10.
Incinerations was released alongside Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back and the Space Quest 2 Remake as part of what fans called “The Big Three” fan sequels37. The game received praise from critics and fans alike, with Adventure Gamers calling it “one of the best fan made adventure games out there” and noting that “had it been released in the late ’90s, it could easily have been a commercial spiritual sequel to Space Quest 6”11. Rock, Paper, Shotgun described it as “a wonderful surprise” that “has no trouble impressing with the kind of action the Space Quest series never came close to, and to a scale that goes above and beyond the call of duty for any fan-made game”10.
Game Info
Story Summary
The narrative begins ten years after Roger Wilco was demoted from his commanding position back down to janitor12. The galaxy is now under the rule of a powerful trigger-happy government, and Roger’s days as a hapless point-and-click hero seem numbered6. The story opens with Roger thinking things are finally looking up when he lands a job interview for a prestigious position at a military base on his home planet Xenon12.
However, Roger’s optimism is short-lived when a time-traveling troublemaker arrives to steal his beloved Beatrice, his future destiny, and—most tragically of all—his luggage613. This elaborate scheme is orchestrated by a rival captain seeking to kidnap Roger’s girlfriend and ultimately destroy the universe13. The villain’s plan involves Roger in a complex time travel plot that spans multiple eras and locations.
Roger must team up with various allies, including a robot companion named Doomtron, to navigate this dangerous adventure6. The plot features the return of memorable characters from the official games alongside dozens of new original characters14. The storyline, while described by some as confusing, weaves together elements of time travel, government conspiracy, and classic Space Quest humor as Roger attempts to rescue Beatrice, thwart universal destruction, and heroically recover his missing luggage415.
The narrative incorporates themes familiar to Space Quest fans—the bumbling underdog janitor saving the day against impossible odds—while escalating the stakes to universe-threatening proportions that surpass the scope of the original series10.
Gameplay
Interface and Controls
Space Quest: Incinerations utilizes a traditional point-and-click adventure game interface built on the Adventure Game Studio engine516. The game employs a third-person perspective with fixed/flip-screen presentation, maintaining the classic Sierra adventure game feel5. Players interact with the environment using point-and-select controls typical of the genre5.
The interface was criticized by some reviewers for appearing “like still in beta testing” with “action icons [that] are slightly misshapen,” though these complaints were balanced against the game’s free price point and ambitious scope16. One notable quality-of-life improvement over classic Sierra games is the ability to replay conversations with NPCs and the absence of traditional dead-ends that could trap players in unwinnable situations15.
Structure and Progression
The game features an extensive adventure spanning over 100 CG backgrounds7. Unlike many fan projects, Incinerations offers substantial content that reviewers described as “surprisingly long”17. The gameplay alternates between traditional puzzle-solving segments and more action-oriented sequences, including an optional FPS rail-shooter segment that represents “the kind of action the Space Quest series never came close to”710.
Key locations include:
- Xenon: Roger’s home planet and the site of his military base job interview12
- Aries Station: A location featuring multiple floors that players can explore (and lick)16
- Various time periods: Accessed through the game’s time travel mechanics6
Puzzles and Mechanics
The puzzle design received praise for being “perfectly fair, and very well hinted-at, and that wasn’t always the case for the official ‘Space Quest’ games, or for Sierra games in general”15. The game incorporates classic inventory-based puzzle solving, with the iconic fish from Space Quest 6 returning as an inventory item that “refuses to go away”16.
The game features an elaborate scoring system with 899 possible points to achieve1819. This point system ties directly into the multiple endings, with different outcomes available based on the player’s final score18. The death system implements an auto-retry feature that tracks the player’s death counter for an end-game tally, and one room alone contains 14 different ways to achieve the same death9.
True to Space Quest tradition, the game embraces “fun death” with numerous creative ways for Roger to meet his demise—22 documented death scenarios in total19. As the original Space Quest creator Scott Murphy explained about the philosophy the fan game honors: “We even liked the idea of ‘fun death’! I mean, if the player is gonna die or fail, they should at least get a laugh out of it”20.
Reception
Contemporary Reviews
Space Quest: Incinerations received positive reviews upon its release in 2012, with critics praising its ambition and quality for a fan-made project. Rock, Paper, Shotgun called it “funny, surprisingly long, and well worth the download,” noting that despite a “shaky start,” it was an “excellent tribute to the series and a very enjoyable game in its own right”17. The publication specifically praised how “it has no trouble impressing with the kind of action the Space Quest series never came close to, and to a scale that goes above and beyond the call of duty for any fan-made game”10.
Adventure Gamers featured the game in their “Following Freeware” coverage, describing it as part of “a killer quest through time and space”4. Their more detailed assessment concluded that “Space Quest: Incinerations is one of the best fan made adventure games out there” and that “had it been released in the late ’90s, it could easily have been a commercial spiritual sequel to Space Quest 6, with its top notch visuals, clever puzzles and an intriguing storyline that keep you coming back for more”11.
GameFAQs user reviewer Menbailee awarded the game 9.2/10, declaring it “Space Quest gets the Unofficial Finale it Deserves”2. The reviewer went so far as to state that “Sierra needs to acquire and market commercially, and they should reward creator Chris Ushko handsomely for almost singlehandedly providing them with a sequel that rivals the studio’s own best work during its glory days”2. The review concluded that “This game doesn’t just rank among my favorite fan-produced games; it ranks among my favorite Space Quests”2.
GameCola’s Nathaniel Hoover was more measured in his assessment, awarding the game 6/10 (“Above Average”)16. While acknowledging issues with the game’s graphics (“unprofessional mishmash of 2D and 3D”), interface problems, and recycled music that “loops way too quickly,” Hoover ultimately concluded that “Incinerations falls short of my expectations for a Space Quest sequel and a finished product alike. That alone should be grounds for dismissal, yet the game’s strengths are strong enough to recommend the game, and that’s almost worse than if it were altogether terrible”16.
Modern Assessment
The game has maintained a strong reputation among Space Quest fans in the years since its release. GOG.com forum user cbingham gave the game a 10/10, asserting that “It is possible that the best ‘Space Quest’ game ever is a fan game and not an official game”15. The same reviewer specifically praised the soundtrack as “AMAZING! One of the top soundtracks I have ever experienced in a game, official or fan-made” and noted that “The puzzles are perfectly fair, and very well hinted-at”15.
On Telltale Games’ community forum, players praised Ushko’s animation work, with one user commenting: “Are you a professional animator, Datadog? I think if you ever wanted to get a job as an animator at Telltale or something, this game is the only resume you’d need”9.
Aggregate Scores:
- MobyGames: 70% critics average (2 reviews), 4.2/5 players average (2 ratings)5
- Adventure Game Studio Page: 100% player rating7
- GameFAQs: Fair (1 rating)6
Development
Origins
The origins of Space Quest: Incinerations trace back to 1999 when Chris Ushko first conceived the project7. The story was notably conceived while Ushko was working as a mall janitor, giving him a personal connection to Roger Wilco’s janitorial profession7. The project was initially cancelled before being revived in 2006, leading to a six-year development cycle before its 2012 release73.
Ushko, known in the fan community by his handle “Datadog,” had previously been involved in the creation of Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back3. With Incinerations, he aimed to create something more ambitious—a game that would “re-imagine the SQ universe in the style of a modern sci-fi action-thriller”3. The project was also inspired by the Halo 2 soundtrack, which influenced the game’s more action-oriented tone7.
Production
The development of Incinerations was troubled, with the project eventually becoming “basically a solo project” for Ushko despite initial plans for team collaboration16. Working while still in school, Ushko used the game as a portfolio piece to demonstrate his animation skills9. As he reflected upon release: “As an animator, this game has been a real thrill ride to make”3.
The game was released as part of “The Big Three”—three major Space Quest fan games released in close proximity. These included Vohaul Strikes Back and the Space Quest 2 Remake by IA (Infamous Adventures)3. The simultaneous releases created a notable moment in the Space Quest fan community.
The game was designed with legal considerations in mind, structured so that “any relationship with Roger Wilco and Space Quest name could easily be jettisoned if anyone issued a cease-and-desist”16. The game was released for free, circumventing commercial licensing issues18.
Development Credits:7
- Director/Writer: Chris Ushko
- Lead Artist/Animator: Chris Ushko
Composers:7
- Frederik Olsen
- Matthew Chastney
- Petros Tsoulkas
- Robert Bäckman
- Peter Engel
Technical Achievements
The game’s graphics were developed using Autodesk Maya for 3D rendering, with editing performed in Adobe Premiere and After Effects7. Particle Illusion was used for environmental effects7. The result was a visual style featuring 3D-rendered sprites and backgrounds that, while criticized by some as an “unprofessional mishmash of 2D and 3D,” allowed for cinematic sequences far beyond typical AGS games163.
The 45 minutes of fully-animated cinematics represent one of the game’s most impressive technical achievements, rivaling and in some ways surpassing professional productions of the era314. The game also features over 100 CG backgrounds and over an hour of original music composed by multiple musicians7.
Technical Specifications
System Requirements:5
- Resolution: 640x4802
- Platform: Windows, Linux, Macintosh
- Engine: Adventure Game Studio (AGS)
- Media: Internet Download (Free)
Game Statistics:19
- Maximum Score: 899 points
- Trophies: 12 unlockable achievements
- Death Sequences: 22 unique ways to die
- Floors to Lick: 17 locations
- Garbage Piles: 20 collectible
- Endings: 5 total (including secret ending)
Cut Content
Several deaths were cut from the final game due to time constraints, including a paper shredder death and the ability to attack the general with a nail file9. The game’s troubled development and Ushko’s solo status likely contributed to content being trimmed from the original vision.
Version History
| Version | Date | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | January 11, 2012 | Windows | Initial release5 |
| 1.0 | 2012 | Linux | Linux port5 |
| 1.0 | 2012 | Macintosh | Mac port5 |
Technical Issues
The game experienced some compatibility issues at launch, with reports of Norton antivirus flagging the game as a threat9. The achievement system had a noted limitation where achievements and progress data were kept within manual saves—restoring an earlier save would lose achievement progress2. Some engine limitations prevented certain action sequences from being fully realized as intended2.
Reviewers noted issues with the interface appearing unfinished, music loops being too short and recycling too quickly, and excessive reuse of music from previous Space Quest games16.
Easter Eggs and Trivia
The game is filled with references and hidden content typical of Space Quest tradition:
- Floor Licking Trophy: Players can earn a trophy for licking every floor on Aries Station—17 floors total1619
- “Fronzel Neekburm” Trophy: Awarded for signing a guest book, described as “humorously sacrilegious”1619
- “Let’s Boogie, Girls!” Trophy: Earned by using the BENI dance function 5 times19
- “Enough Smarm Already!” Trophy: Awarded for shooting a vending machine1619
- Gordon Freeman Cameo: A reference to the Half-Life protagonist appears in the game921
- Larry Laffer Reference: A nod to Sierra’s Leisure Suit Larry series21
- GIR from Invader Zim: The robot appears as a hotel registration robot16
- The Price Is Right Reference: A game show parody is included21
- “Frosta la Keister, Baby!” Trophy: A Disney reference22
- Fish from SQ6: The recurring fish item returns and refuses to leave Roger’s inventory16
- Falling Off Edge Joke: The game trailer features a joke about Roger falling off the edge9
- Stealing from the Homeless: As one piece of dialogue notes, “It’s never too early in a game to steal from the homeless”16
Multiple Endings
The game features five distinct endings based on the player’s performance and score718:
- Variable 1: Player’s total score out of 899 points
- Variable 2: Specific puzzle solutions and choices made
- Variable 3: Items collected and interactions completed
The “best” ending (described as the secret ending) requires achieving the maximum possible score of 899 points19. Conversely, the worst ending is achieved with the minimum score, where “Enraged by your poor performance, the gaming gods decide to punish Roger and all his friends with ignominious fates”21. One notable narrative element includes “Roger gets all of Bruce Havoc’s money after he just won the lottery due to a bank error, but he’s a good sport about it”21.
Legacy
Sales and Commercial Impact
As a free fan game, Space Quest: Incinerations had no traditional sales figures. However, the game achieved significant visibility within the adventure gaming community. It was featured on G4TV and received coverage from major gaming sites including Rock, Paper, Shotgun and Adventure Gamers71011. Adventure Gamers featured it in their “Following Freeware” column as part of “A killer quest through time and space yielded another great batch of indie games”4.
The game’s release alongside Vohaul Strikes Back and the SQ2 Remake created a memorable moment for Space Quest fans, providing three substantial fan games within a short timeframe—more official-quality Space Quest content than Sierra had produced in the 15+ years since Space Quest 623.
Collections
Space Quest: Incinerations was not included in any commercial collections due to its fan-made status. The game remains available as a free download from the Box of Mystery website22.
Fan Projects
Incinerations exists within a broader ecosystem of Space Quest fan projects. Ushko was previously involved with Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back, which was developed over nine years by a team of volunteers and released in December 2011, just before Incinerations17. The SQ2 Remake by Infamous Adventures represented another major fan effort to keep the series alive3.
The Space Quest Omnipedia wiki maintains documentation of these fan games while noting that “The information from this article is from a fan game or fan fiction and is therefore not canon”7.
Related Publications
- Trophy Guide: Written by Flashman85 (Nathaniel Hoover), published January 20, 2015 on GameFAQs and Neoseeker1822
- Video Walkthrough: Created by MrWhitman, uploaded February 15, 2018, spanning 7 chapters23
Critical Perspective
Space Quest: Incinerations occupies a unique position in adventure gaming history as perhaps the most technically ambitious fan-made sequel ever created for a classic Sierra series. The game arrived during a period when the original Two Guys from Andromeda—Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy—had long since parted ways with Sierra and the Space Quest franchise lay dormant under Activision’s ownership20.
The game’s reception illustrated the enduring love for Sierra’s adventure game legacy and the lengths to which fans would go to continue their favorite series. While critics acknowledged its imperfections—the unpolished interface, inconsistent graphics, and recycled music—the overwhelming sentiment was appreciation for Ushko’s ambition and dedication. As one reviewer summarized, “This game doesn’t just rank among my favorite fan-produced games; it ranks among my favorite Space Quests”2.
The game’s existence also highlighted the uncertain legal territory of fan projects based on dormant commercial properties. Ushko’s careful design choices—ensuring the game could be separated from the Space Quest name if necessary—reflected the community’s awareness of potential cease-and-desist threats that had ended other fan projects16.
Incinerations demonstrated that fan developers could produce work rivaling commercial studios, presaging later crowd-funded spiritual successors like SpaceVenture, which the Two Guys from Andromeda eventually released (to decidedly mixed reception) in 202520. In many ways, Incinerations remains a high-water mark for what dedicated fans can achieve when honoring the games that inspired them.
Downloads
Purchase / Digital Stores
- Free fan game – No purchase required
Download / Preservation
- Box of Mystery Official Website - Primary download location22
Manuals & Extras
Related Games
Space Quest: Incinerations positions itself as an unofficial continuation of the Space Quest series, taking place approximately ten years after Space Quest 6 (1995)5. The game also follows the events of Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back, another fan game released shortly before Incinerations5. Characters from the official games return alongside original creations, and the game incorporates references to series lore while expanding the Space Quest universe in new directions15.
The game features the return of Beatrice Wankmeister, Roger’s love interest from Space Quest IV onwards, as a central plot element6. The iconic fish from Space Quest 6 also makes an appearance as an inventory item16. While not considered canon to the official series timeline, Incinerations represents one possible continuation of Roger Wilco’s adventures that many fans embrace as the unofficial Space Quest VII2.
Fan Game Timeline:
- Previous: Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back (2011)
- Next: N/A
References
Footnotes
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Metacritic – Space Quest: Incinerations – developer, publisher information ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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GameFAQs – User Review by Menbailee – 9.2/10 rating, Chris Ushko credit, release date, resolution, critical praise ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11
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AGD Interactive Forum – Release Announcement – six-year development, cinematics, music, 3D graphics, Datadog quotes ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13
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Adventure Gamers – Game Database – release date, plot description, Following Freeware coverage ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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MobyGames – Space Quest: Incinerations – platforms, engine, ratings, technical specs, timeline placement ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13
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GameFAQs – Game Page – plot description, Doomtron character, government storyline ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
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Space Quest Omnipedia – Incinerations – composers, development history, Maya/Premiere/After Effects, G4TV feature, multiple endings, AGS page rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17
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ChapterCheats – Game Info – Box of Mystery developer/publisher, January 2012 release ↩
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Telltale Games Community Forum – Release Thread – development details, cut content, death room, animation praise, student status ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Rock, Paper, Shotgun – Coverage – “wonderful surprise” quote, action praise, favorable review ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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Adventure Gamers – Following Freeware – “one of the best fan made adventure games” quote, commercial sequel comparison ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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IMDb – Plot Summary – Chris Ushko synopsis, Xenon job interview, ten-year timeline ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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IMDb – Main Page – Canada release, January 11 2012, plot summary, director/writer credit ↩ ↩2
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Neoseeker – Game Page – cinematics length, original characters, multiple endings description ↩ ↩2
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GOG Forum – Incinerations Discussion – fan praise, soundtrack acclaim, puzzle fairness, no dead ends, 10/10 rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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GameCola – Review – 6/10 rating, interface criticism, GIR cameo, fish item, floor licking, legal considerations ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18
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Wikipedia – Vohaul Strikes Back – Rock Paper Shotgun quotes about shaky start, tribute quality ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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GameFAQs – Trophy Guide by Flashman85 – 899 points, trophies, floor licking, endings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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Neoseeker – Trophy Walkthrough – death count, garbage piles, trophy names, ending requirements ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Wikipedia – Space Quest Series – Scott Murphy quote on fun death, SpaceVenture release ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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TV Tropes – Space Quest: Incinerations – ending descriptions, cameo references, Datadog alias ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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Neoseeker – FAQ Index – trophy guide date, Box of Mystery download ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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YouTube – Space Quest Incinerations Walkthrough – MrWhitman walkthrough, 7 chapters, 2018 upload ↩