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Space Quest I: Roger Wilco in the Sarien Encounter

Last updated: January 16, 2026

Overview

Space Quest I: Roger Wilco in the Sarien Encounter is a 1991 VGA remake of the original 1986 Space Quest: The Sarien Encounter, developed and published by Sierra On-Line for MS-DOS, Amiga, and Macintosh12. Designed by Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy, the remake features enhanced 256-color VGA graphics, Sound Blaster support, digitized sounds, and a point-and-click icon interface replacing the original text parser134. The VGA graphics were deliberately drawn in a 1950s B-movie style24. Released on August 20, 1991, some puzzles were changed or replaced with new solutions to accommodate the new interface, and it became possible to skip the arcade sequences14. While marketed aggressively, like the other Sierra VGA remakes of the early 1990s, the game was a commercial disappointment3.

Story Summary

The storyline remains the same as the original 1986 release3. Within the Earnon galaxy, Roger Wilco, a janitor aboard the scientific spaceship Arcada, awakens from an on-duty nap in his broom closet to find that the ship has been boarded and seized by the sinister Sariens3. He soon learns that they have stolen a powerful experimental device called the Star Generator, which could cause untold disaster in their hands3.

Acquiring a keycard from a dead crew member’s body, Roger flees the ship in an escape pod moments before the Arcada self-destructs3. The pod crash-lands on the planet Kerona, a dry, barren wasteland3. Roger defeats a spider-droid that the Sariens dispatched to eliminate him3. In a cave system near his crash site, he is greeted by a mysterious figure who offers help if he kills a monstrous creature called Orat3.

After Roger succeeds in the task, the figure supplies him with a skimmer craft to help him reach the town of Ulence Flats, where he can find a new ship3. Reaching Ulence Flats, Roger gambles on slot machines in a cantina to acquire the money needed to buy a spaceship, along with a navigation droid to pilot it3. During this time, he learns from a bar customer the location of the Sariens’ spaceship, the Deltaur3.

Roger boards the Deltaur and secures a Sarien disguise3. He programs the Star Generator to self-destruct and escapes the ship just before it explodes3. At the end of the game, Roger’s efforts are rewarded when he receives the Golden Mop as a token of eternal gratitude from the people of Xenon3.

Gameplay

The remake uses Sierra’s SCI game engine with a point-and-click interface and icons along the top of the screen, replacing the AGI engine’s text parser1. The new version features enhanced graphics (256-color VGA) and Sound Blaster support1.

Interface and Controls

  • Point-and-click interface with icons along the top of the screen14
  • No longer requires typing commands; players can interact using mouse-driven icons2
  • The text parser is completely replaced by the icon interface1
  • Mouse support for movement and interaction2
  • Introduces “Smell” and “Taste” icons alongside standard Walk, Use, and Talk—these have no practical use but provoke humorous responses6

Structure and Progression

  • The game takes place across the same locations as the original: the Arcada spaceship, the desert planet Kerona, the town of Ulence Flats, and the Sarien ship Deltaur3
  • It is possible to skip the arcade sequences1
  • Several additional scenes and more elaborate text descriptions enhance the humorous effect1

Puzzles and Mechanics

  • Some puzzles have been slightly changed to accommodate the new interface1
  • As a form of copy protection, coordinates in the VGA version while in the escape pod and the rocket purchased at Tiny’s Used Spaceships are only found in the manual74
  • The code for retrieving the cartridge aboard the Arcada can only be found in the manual7
  • Maximum score is 201 points in VGA (vs 202 in EGA)8
  • VGA-exclusive actions: Get widget, get plant, use plant on grate monster, leave Deltaur airlock, get ID card—these replaced several EGA-only actions like lifting the platform and kicking the dead body8
  • VGA-exclusive items: A magnet on the Arcada’s Star Generator base and extra cash hidden in bar dust are unique to the VGA version; the magnet can be used on the Slots-o-Death machine to win consistently9

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Dragon Magazine (January 1992) praised the redesigned VGA version, noting the upgraded 256-color graphics, improved point-and-click interface, better music, and digitized speech, concluding: “The game plays far better than before and is highly enjoyable, richly deserving its fame”10. Writing for VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, Arnie Katz noted that the game “benefited from a recent face-lift,” adding: “The graphics are much better, and the point-and-click interface makes play easier than the parser-driven original”11.

Despite positive reviews, the game did not sell well commercially3. Like the other Sierra VGA remakes released around the same time (King’s Quest I, Police Quest I, Leisure Suit Larry I), the games were marketed very aggressively but “all of these remakes flopped”3.

Modern Assessment

Retro Freak Reviews recommended the remake over the original, stating that the humor, art, animation, and music were improved12. The game holds a MobyScore of 7.4/10 with 70% positive critic reviews and ratings from 67 players1. On GOG, the Space Quest 1+2+3 collection has a 4.3/5 rating13. My Abandonware users rate it 4.49/5 from 45 votes2. HowLongToBeat reports the main story takes approximately 3 hours to complete14.

  • MobyGames: 7.4/10 MobyScore, 70% critics (67 player ratings)1
  • GOG: 4.3/5 (collection)13
  • Steam: Very Positive (312 reviews, collection)15
  • GameFAQs: 3.69/5 (68 ratings)16
  • HowLongToBeat: 3 hours main story14

Development

Origins

Around 1990-1991, Sierra began releasing VGA remakes of their mid-1980s hits using the new SCI gaming system3. This offered them a chance to try out the new engine, and among these releases were Leisure Suit Larry I, King’s Quest I, Police Quest I, and Space Quest I3.

Space Quest I was given an overhaul when it was remade using Sierra’s SCI language, which allowed the game to upgrade from its original EGA graphics to VGA4. The VGA graphics were drawn deliberately in a 1950s B-movie style24. Scott Murphy later admitted he had little say in the art direction: “The VGA art designer wanted an old fashioned space movie look. It sounded good in theory but wasn’t executed as was advertised”17. Much of the artwork was outsourced to Korea—Murphy jokingly blamed “The Simpsons” for this industry trend17. In addition to the new graphics, it featured digitized sounds and an icon interface4.

The VGA remake was developed behind Murphy and Crowe’s backs while they were working on Space Quest IV18. Despite their limited involvement, both are officially credited as “Game Designers” in the final product—a common practice for remakes crediting original creators19. The actual creative lead was Douglas Herring, credited as both Director and Art Designer, who determined the visual direction19. When Murphy and Crowe requested changes—Murphy openly disliked the “Jetsons-esque” redesigns of some areas—they were told it was too late to make alterations18. Roger Wilco’s hair color was also changed from brown to blond in this version18. An earlier plan for the original AGI version would have allowed players to choose a female version of Roger, but this was cut due to lack of sprite space and demographic considerations18.

Several of the puzzles from the original game were changed or replaced with new solutions4. Fans are sharply divided between which version of the game they prefer: many enjoy the rich graphical layout of the 1991 remake, while others appreciate the historical purity of the original4.

The game was released in both VGA and a rare EGA version based on the VGA version, and a 32-color Amiga version4. Ken Allen composed the music for the remake1.

Technical Achievements

  • Used Sierra’s SCI engine with 256-color VGA graphics31
  • Point-and-click icon interface replacing the text parser14
  • Sound Blaster support and digitized sounds1
  • 1950s B-movie art style for all graphics24
  • Additional scenes and more elaborate text descriptions1
  • Platform releases: August 20, 1991 MS-DOS, 1991 Amiga, 1992 Macintosh14
  • System requirements: 286 CPU, 640KB RAM, DOS 5.0, 6MB hard drive, VGA/MCGA graphics; sound support for AdLib, Sound Blaster, Roland MT-32, Pro Audio Spectrum, Game Blaster, and PC Speaker; General MIDI support via patch2021
  • Original media: Five 5.25” or four 3.5” floppy disks; later Kixx re-release on CD-ROM21
  • Localization: A Spanish/English bilingual version was also released5
  • Fully supported in ScummVM since version 1.2.0; runs on SCI engine at 320x200 resolution with 256 colors22
  • The Amiga version used an extended color palette compared to other platforms22
  • Speed bugs on modern systems: The acid rain sequence in Kerona cave, desert dehydration timer, and Spider Droid arrival all run too fast; official Sierra patches fix memory and SoundBlaster initialization issues, while NewRisingSun patches address timing bugs520

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • King Graham cameo: In the VGA ending sequence, King Graham from King’s Quest appears to award Roger the Golden Mop—a crossover between Sierra’s flagship franchises9
  • ZZ Top legal issue: The game originally featured a band resembling ZZ Top, but legal concerns from the band’s lawyers forced Sierra to change it—the modified version shows the band running away as soon as Roger enters the scene; removing all *.v56 files restores the original sprites920
  • Latex Babe easter egg: Using the TONGUE icon on the purple spiral above the doorway after obtaining the Sarien uniform triggers a glitchy Latex Babe animation23
  • Wrong coordinates easter eggs: Pressing the “DO NOT TOUCH” button in the escape pod transports Roger to Nottingham Castle from Conquests of the Longbow (fatal)—the EGA version sent players to Daventry Castle from King’s Quest I instead; entering wrong coordinates can crash-land Roger at King’s Quest castle with moat alligators and dialogue from Roberta and Ken Williams24166
  • Instant replay death: One VGA death scene features the Two Guys from Andromeda popping up to announce an instant replay of Roger’s particularly stupid moment6
  • Sci-fi references: The Deltaur attack sequence mirrors the Death Star assault from Star Wars; the Sarien Spider Droid is based on the Imperial Scout Droid from The Empire Strikes Back; Kerona’s hologram theme mimics 2001: A Space Odyssey’s iconic music23
  • Cameos: Robbie the Robot from “Forbidden Planet” works as the store droid; a Star Trek Warbird appears when selecting wrong coordinates; the time pod from Space Quest IV appears when leaving Ulence Flats; Blues Brothers and Madonna appear in the bar9
  • Hitchhiker’s Guide references: The triple-breasted hooker from Eroticon VI sits at the Ulence Flats bar; the arms dealer on the Sarien ship sounds like Marvin the Paranoid Android256
  • Hayao Miyazaki reference: The robot shop features “Hay-A-O,” a creature resembling characters from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, named after director Hayao Miyazaki6
  • Droids-B-Us parodies: The store features Dalek robots (Doctor Who), Maximillian (The Black Hole), Huey (Silent Running), and the Lost in Space babysitter droid; Sierra won the Toys-R-Us lawsuit over this parody49
  • Sierra crossover: A Sarien guard mentions King’s Quest II and III, with bonus points awarded for confirming you own KQ223
  • Dev trivia: Kerona was named after Corona beer, the developers’ preferred drink in 1986; manual credits Scott Murphy as director despite him not working on the VGA remake2324
  • Feelies: The original AGI game included physical coupons for the Rocket Bar and Droids-B-Us; in the VGA remake, these are reworked as an extra reward alongside the jetpack offer18

Legacy

Although the remake received positive reviews, it was a commercial disappointment like the other Sierra VGA remakes of the era3. According to Sierra On-Line’s SEC filing, combined sales of the Space Quest series surpassed 1.2 million units by the end of March 199626.

In 1992, Adventure Comics (a division of Malibu Graphics) published a three-issue comic series titled “The Adventures of Roger Wilco” based on the original game’s plot, with issues released in February, April, and May 199227. The VGA remake established the visual style that would be carried forward in Space Quest IV, which was released in the same year and featured similar 256-color graphics1.

Collections

This game has been included in the following collections:

  • The Space Quest Trilogy28
  • Sierra Adventure Starter Kit (1992)28
  • The Space Quest Saga28
  • Space Quest: Collector’s Edition (a.k.a. Roger Wilco Unclogged)2928
  • Space Quest: Collection Series2928
  • Space Quest Collection (XP)1528

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

Download / Preservation

Manuals & Extras

Series Continuity

References

Footnotes

  1. MobyGames – Space Quest I VGA – developer, publisher, platforms, credits, ratings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23

  2. My Abandonware – Space Quest I VGA – platforms, availability, user reviews ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  3. SpaceQuest.net – Space Quest 1 – full story (Arcada, Sariens, Star Generator, Kerona, Ulence Flats, Deltaur, Golden Mop), release details, commercial performance ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23

  4. Sierra Fandom Wiki – Space Quest I VGA – SCI engine details, versions ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17

  5. SCI Wiki – Space Quest I SCI – SCI engine details, versions ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  6. Hardcore Gaming 101 – Space Quest I – Smell/Taste icons, Hayao Miyazaki reference, instant replay death, Conquests of Longbow easter egg ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  7. Virtual Broomcloset – Publications Archive – manuals, hint books ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  8. SpaceQuest.net – SQ1 Point Lists – EGA vs VGA point comparison, max scores ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  9. Space Quest FAQ – King Graham cameo, ZZ Top legal issue ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  10. Dragon Magazine – January 1992 (Issue 177) – Lesser family review: “Sierra has redesigned this classic science-fiction adventure”, “upgraded graphics to 256 colors (VGA)”, “The game plays far better than before and is highly enjoyable, richly deserving its fame” ↩

  11. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment – April 1992 – Arnie Katz “Electronic Gaming Comedy” feature, p. 84: “benefited from a recent face-lift”, “graphics are much better”, “point-and-click interface makes play easier” ↩

  12. Retro Freak Reviews – Space Quest I Review (2017) – “I strongly recommend the remake over the original version”, improved humor/art/animation/music ↩

  13. GOG – Space Quest 1+2+3 – purchase, user reviews ↩ ↩2

  14. HowLongToBeat – Space Quest I – completion times ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  15. Steam – Space Quest Collection – purchase, user reviews ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  16. GameFAQs – Space Quest I VGA – user ratings, King’s Quest castle easter egg, FAQs ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  17. Virtual Broomcloset – Scott Murphy Interview – VGA remake art direction, Korea outsourcing ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  18. TV Tropes – Space Quest I Trivia – creator backlash, feelies, cut female Roger ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  19. MobyGames – SQ1 VGA Credits – Douglas Herring (Director, Art Designer), Mark Crowe & Scott Murphy (Game Designers), Jerry Shaw (Lead Programmer), Ken Allen (Composer) ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  20. Sierra Help – Space Quest 1 SCI – system requirements, speed bugs, patches, ZZ Top sprite fix ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  21. DOS Days – Space Quest I VGA – system requirements, original media, Kixx re-release ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  22. ScummVM Wiki – Space Quest – ScummVM 1.2.0 support, SCI engine, 320x200 resolution, 256 colors, Amiga extended palette ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  23. SpaceQuest.net – SQ1 Easter Eggs & Spoof References – Latex Babe easter egg, Star Wars/2001 references, King’s Quest crossover, Kerona naming ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  24. Space Quest Fandom Wiki – SQ1 VGA – Robin Hood button, manual credits error, version differences ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  25. Sierra Help – Space Quest Easter Eggs – Hitchhiker’s Guide references, Star Trek cameos ↩ ↩2

  26. SEC Filing – Sierra On-Line 10-K (March 1996) – “Space Quest… sold more than 1.2 million copies in this series” ↩

  27. Space Quest Fandom Wiki – Comics – Adventure Comics “The Adventures of Roger Wilco” (1992): 3 issues (Feb/Apr/May 1992), Malibu Graphics, #1 full color by John Shaw, 2-3 B&W by Paul O’Connor ↩

  28. Sierra Chest – Space Quest 1 VGA – collections, packaging, credits ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  29. Internet Archive – Space Quest I VGA – preservation, historical versions ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  30. DOS Zone – Space Quest I VGA – browser-based play, mobile support ↩

  31. Wikipedia – Space Quest I – encyclopedia article ↩

  32. PCGamingWiki – Space Quest I VGA – technical specs, fixes ↩

  33. WiW – Space Quest 1 Point List – complete point list ↩

  34. WiW – Two Guys from Andromeda Interview – development history ↩

  35. Dynamix Fandom Wiki – Mark Crowe – designer biography ↩

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