Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Overview

Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid is a comedic horror strategy game developed and published by Guys From Andromeda LLC, released on November 9, 2015¹. The game serves as a parody of the popular Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise, featuring similar survival horror mechanics with a humorous science fiction twist involving mutant chickens². Created by Mark Crowe and Chris Pope—with Crowe being one half of the legendary “Two Guys from Andromeda” who created the Space Quest series at Sierra On-Line—the game represents a spiritual continuation of their comedic adventure game legacy³.

The game was developed as an offshoot of the much larger SpaceVenture project, which was successfully funded through Kickstarter in 2012 with $539,767 from 10,809 backers⁴. When development on SpaceVenture experienced delays due to personal circumstances affecting Scott Murphy, the team created Cluck Yegger as both a Halloween-themed gift to backers and a means of generating additional funding for the main project⁵. The mini-game was initially released exclusively to Kickstarter backers on October 29, 2015, before becoming publicly available on Steam and other platforms shortly thereafter⁶.

Despite its origins as a small side project, Cluck Yegger developed its own following among fans who appreciated its blend of tension and humor. The game features full voice acting, original music, and a “Tame Mode” option that replaces traditional jump scares with a cat dressed in a chicken costume, making it accessible to younger players¹. User reviews consistently praised it as a parody that exceeded its source material, with one reviewer declaring it “Cheaper than FNAF, Better than FNAF”⁷.

Game Info

Developer: Guys From Andromeda LLC¹ Designer: Mark Crowe, Chris Pope² Publisher: Guys From Andromeda LLC¹ Engine: Unity 4⁸ Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS¹ Release Year: 2015 Series: SpaceVenture Protagonist: Cluck Yegger Sierra Lineage: Spiritual Successor

Story Summary

The game follows the adventures of Cluck Yegger, a space-faring “Free-Ranger” who operates under the authority of the Galactic FDA⁹. As the story opens, Yegger is hailing Planet Poultroid to announce an inspection of operations: “Eggcelsior hailing Planet Poultoid… This is Cluck Yegger, Free-Ranger, Under authority of the galactic FDA, you are hereby ordered to cease operations for my inspection”¹⁰. However, his mission goes catastrophically wrong when he is shot out of the sky by his arch nemesis, Colonel Zanderz³.

Colonel Zanderz, a villain designed as a parody of KFC founder Colonel Sanders¹¹, operates a sinister chicken factory called “BFC” on Planet Poultroid¹. After crash-landing in front of this facility, Yegger finds himself stranded with a disabled ship that runs only on limited auxiliary solar power that charges during the daytime³. This leaves him trapped in his cockpit at night, forced to defend himself against unwelcome visitors from the factory.

The factory has been producing genetically modified creatures called “Poultroids”—mutated cyborg chickens that roam the night looking for prey¹². As Yegger grimly acknowledges: “it looks like I’ll have to spend my nights playing ‘poultroid peekaboo’ with a brood of my mutated cousins”¹⁰. The player must help Yegger survive seven consecutive nights against these peckish poultry predators until his ship accumulates enough solar charge to escape. When Zanderz discovers his nemesis has survived the crash, he gleefully taunts: “Well… cock-doodle-doo! …if it ain’t my most prized Chicken. Come home to roost. I do declare”¹¹.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

The gameplay mechanics closely mirror those of the original Five Nights at Freddy’s game². Players are confined to a first-person view from within Cluck Yegger’s crashed spacecraft cockpit, where they must monitor the approach of hostile Poultroids using limited resources³. The interface includes a security camera system that allows players to track enemy movements throughout the facility, door controls for blocking access points, a shield system for emergency defense, and a scanning function¹².

The game uses a simple control scheme where players interact with various defensive systems while managing their limited power supply. Some players reported difficulty with the controls, particularly on Linux systems where looking left and right to access door controls did not function properly for some users⁷. The camera system displays views of different areas where the mutant chickens may be approaching from, requiring constant vigilance¹².

Structure and Progression

The game spans seven in-game nights, compared to the five nights in the original FNAF games⁷. Each night begins at 7:00 p.m. and the player must survive until sunrise at 7:00 a.m. the next day¹. In real-time, each night lasts approximately five minutes². The difficulty escalates with each successive night as the Poultroids become more aggressive and numerous in their attacks.

• Nights 1-2: Introduction to basic mechanics, relatively slow enemy movement
• Nights 3-4: Increased aggression and frequency of attacks
• Nights 5-6: Multiple simultaneous threats requiring careful resource management
• Night 7: Final survival challenge before escape becomes possible

The game culminates with Yegger successfully accumulating enough solar power to escape Planet Poultroid, delivering his triumphant catchphrase: “I survived the night. Because of course I did”¹³.

Puzzles and Mechanics

Unlike traditional adventure games, Cluck Yegger focuses on real-time resource management and threat assessment rather than inventory puzzles³. The core challenge involves balancing the use of power-draining defensive systems—cameras, doors, shields, and scanners—against the ship’s limited nighttime power reserves¹². Using any system depletes power, and running out of power before dawn leaves Yegger defenseless against the Poultroids.

The game includes a unique “Tame Mode” option designed to make the experience more accessible to younger or more sensitive players¹. When enabled, this mode replaces the traditional jump scares that occur when a Poultroid catches the player with the image of a cat dressed in a chicken costume, significantly reducing the horror element while maintaining the strategic gameplay¹. The developers conducted playtesting with children ages 10 and up to ensure the kid-friendly mode was appropriately accessible³.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid received generally positive reviews from players, though it garnered limited attention from major gaming publications due to its nature as a small indie side project. Rock Paper Shotgun covered the game’s release, noting that “Cluck Yegger is, bizarrely, a game about mutant chickens, and promises (optional) jump scares”⁶. The gaming news site Cliqist ran a feature announcing that the “Five Nights at Freddy’s Parody Cluck Yegger Gets Release Date” and suggested the game “Will Make You Scream and Shout”¹⁴.

Steam user reviews were notably enthusiastic, with players praising the game’s humor and production values. One reviewer stated: “As parodies go… it’s one of those parodies that’s better than the original product”⁷. Another user simply declared: “Cheaper than FNAF, Better than FNAF”⁷. A third reviewer praised the production quality: “Funny stuff! The voice acting is absolute gold”¹⁵. However, not all reviews were positive—one Spanish-language reviewer gave the game a harsh 0/10, writing “Una pena de juego. 0-10. evítenlo aún en bundles” (A shame of a game. 0-10. Avoid it even in bundles)⁷.

Some reviewers appreciated the atmospheric tension despite the comedic setting: “Never thought the sound of clucking in the dark could be so fear inducing!“⁷. Community members consistently defended the game against accusations of being merely a FNAF clone, with one user noting: “This is a parody, not a rip-off”⁷, while another reminded critics that “This is only a small minigame from the Upcoming ‘Spaceventure’. Not designed to be a full game”⁷.

Modern Assessment

The game has maintained a respectable reputation among fans of both the Space Quest legacy and the Five Nights at Freddy’s genre. On Steam, the game holds an 81% positive rating based on 43 user reviews³. The itch.io page shows a more modest 3.0 out of 5 stars rating¹⁵. Alchetron’s aggregated score shows an impressive 9.8/10, though this appears to be from a limited sample².

Aggregate Scores:

• Steam: 81% positive (43 reviews)³
• itch.io: 3.0/5 stars¹⁵
• Alchetron: 9.8/10²
• App Store (mobile): 4.75/5¹⁶

Metacritic has a page for the game but shows no professional critic reviews available¹⁷.

Development

Origins

The genesis of Cluck Yegger lies in the broader SpaceVenture project, a Kickstarter campaign launched by the Two Guys from Andromeda—Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy—to create a spiritual successor to their beloved Space Quest series⁴. The campaign, which ran under the banner “Two Guys SpaceVenture - by the creators of Space Quest,” reminded backers: “Remember the Space Quest series from Sierra’s duo the Two Guys From Andromeda? Well they are back & making a brand new SpaceVenture™!”⁴

When the main SpaceVenture project experienced significant delays due to Scott Murphy needing to step away for personal reasons, the remaining team sought ways to maintain momentum and engagement with their backers¹. The popularity of Five Nights at Freddy’s inspired them to create a parody game using characters and settings already developed for SpaceVenture, resulting in Cluck Yegger². The character of Cluck Yegger had already been designed as part of the SpaceVenture universe, making him a natural protagonist for this side project³.

Production

Development of Cluck Yegger lasted approximately seven months and was completed by an extremely small team². Chris Pope handled the primary programming duties with support from Patrick Johnston, who had previously worked on the fan-made Space Quest: Vohaul Strikes Back¹. Mark Crowe focused on the game’s distinctive artwork, assisted by additional artists². The team built the game using the Unity 4 engine (specifically build 4.6.9f1), allowing for cross-platform deployment⁸.

The game was released first to Kickstarter backers on October 29, 2015, timed as a Halloween treat⁶. It then went through Steam Greenlight before receiving full public release on November 9, 2015². The decision to sell the game publicly, rather than keeping it exclusively for backers, was made to generate additional funding for the ongoing SpaceVenture development⁷. The initial price was set at $2.99¹².

Development Credits:²¹⁸

• Designers: Mark Crowe, Chris Pope
• Lead Programmer: Chris Pope
• Programming Support: Patrick Johnston
• Lead Artist: Mark Crowe
• Composer: Ken Allen
• Additional Music: Thomas Prisclac Jr.

Technical Achievements

The game was built on the Unity 4 engine, enabling deployment across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS⁸. The developers emphasized accessibility, implementing the innovative “Tame Mode” that replaces jump scares with humorous imagery, making the survival horror experience available to younger audiences¹.

The audio design received particular attention, with composer Ken Allen—a veteran of numerous Sierra games—providing the musical score². The voice acting was highlighted by multiple reviewers as a standout feature, with the lead character’s performance described as reminiscent of Patrick Warburton’s distinctive style⁷. The game included radio segments with a singer and newscaster that added atmosphere and world-building¹⁸.

Technical Specifications

Windows/macOS/Linux Version:³⁸

• Engine: Unity 4.6.9f1
• Storage: 220 MB available space
• Color: Full color
• Compatibility Note: Not compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina or above

Mobile Version:¹⁶

• File Size: 172 MB
• Requirements: iOS 6.0+ or Android 5+

Cut Content

No significant cut content has been documented for this release, as the game was designed as a focused mini-game experience rather than a larger project. The game serves as a preview of characters and settings from the larger SpaceVenture project, suggesting that additional Cluck Yegger content may have been planned for the main game³.

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Notes
1.0	October 29, 2015	Windows/Mac/Linux	Backer-exclusive release2
1.0	November 9, 2015	Steam	Public release3
1.1	December 7, 2015	iOS	Mobile release16
1.1	December 16, 2015	All platforms	Final update16

Technical Issues

Several technical issues have been documented by the community:

• Linux Cutscene Alignment: Cutscenes display with screen alignment issues on Linux systems¹⁹
• Linux Camera Problems: Security cameras do not display properly on some Linux installations¹⁹
• Linux Movement Controls: Some users cannot look left and right to access door controls⁷
• Voice-Over Button: The VO button reported as non-functional in some versions¹⁹
• Audio Glitches: Intermittent audio problems reported¹⁹
• Game Crashes: Occasional crashes reported by users¹⁹
• German Availability: The game was removed from the German Steam store due to lacking a Steam Age Rating¹²
• Missing Executable: Some users reported missing game executable after download¹²

Easter Eggs and Trivia

The game is filled with references and in-jokes that fans of the developers’ previous work would appreciate:

• Colonel Zanderz is a direct parody of KFC founder Colonel Sanders, complete with Southern dialect and chicken-themed villainy¹¹
• Joe Swanson Reference: The game reportedly includes a reference to the Family Guy character⁷
• Cat Transformation: In Tame Mode, a down taunt transforms Yegger into a cat, and jump scares are replaced with a cat in a chicken costume¹³
• Prime Number Joke: Yegger’s line “Great! I hate prime numbers” appears during gameplay¹³
• Galactic FDA: The protagonist works for a parody of the real-world Food and Drug Administration, policing food production across the galaxy¹⁰

Voice Cast

Character	Voice Actor
Cluck Yegger	Mike Schiff18
Colonel Zanderz	Mark Crowe (as “Wilcofever”)18
Radio Singer	Josh Mandel18
Radio Newscaster	Chris Pope18

The voice acting was consistently praised by reviewers as one of the game’s strongest elements¹⁵. Mike Schiff’s performance as Cluck Yegger was compared favorably to Patrick Warburton’s distinctive style⁷. Josh Mandel, who voiced King Graham in Sierra’s King’s Quest V and VI, contributed vocal performances for the in-game radio segments¹⁸.

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Specific sales figures for Cluck Yegger are limited, though the mobile version through WorldsApps recorded 998 downloads¹⁶. The game was priced at $2.99 on Steam¹² and was also made available through itch.io¹⁵. While not a major commercial release, the game successfully fulfilled its purpose of providing content to SpaceVenture backers and generating additional development funding⁷.

The game achieved Steam Greenlight approval, indicating sufficient community interest to warrant official distribution on the platform². It maintained availability on Steam, itch.io, and mobile platforms, though it was removed from the German Steam store due to age rating classification issues¹².

Collections

Cluck Yegger was primarily distributed as a standalone digital title and has not been included in any major compilation packages. It remains connected to the SpaceVenture project, with characters appearing in both games²⁰.

Fan Projects

The character of Cluck Yegger has been adopted by the fan community in unexpected ways. A fan-created wiki documents Cluck Yegger as a playable character in the Universe of Smash Bros. Lawl fan game modification, complete with a full moveset based on his abilities from the original game¹³. The character is classified as a “Zoner” playtype with a cowardice rating of “0/10” and the note that he takes no damage from ion storms because he “is THAT awesome”¹³.

Related Publications

No official hint books or strategy guides were published for Cluck Yegger. As a relatively straightforward survival horror parody with a seven-night structure, the game did not require extensive documentation beyond the basic controls explained in-game.

Critical Perspective

Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid represents an interesting footnote in the history of adventure gaming—a project created by Sierra veterans during the development of a larger spiritual successor to their classic work. While the game itself is a modest parody of the Five Nights at Freddy’s phenomenon rather than a traditional adventure game, it demonstrates how the creators of Space Quest adapted their comedic sensibilities to contemporary gaming trends.

The game’s significance lies primarily in its connection to the Two Guys from Andromeda and their ongoing efforts to continue their legacy outside of Sierra. It showcases their characteristic humor, with chicken-themed puns and science fiction parody elements reminiscent of Space Quest’s irreverent tone. The inclusion of voice acting from Josh Mandel, who had worked on classic Sierra titles, further reinforces the connection to adventure gaming’s golden age.

As a standalone product, Cluck Yegger succeeded in what it set out to do: provide an entertaining diversion for fans while generating support for the larger SpaceVenture project. Its positive reception, particularly among those familiar with the developers’ pedigree, suggests that the Two Guys’ comedic voice remained appealing to audiences decades after Space Quest first launched.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

• Steam
• itch.io

Platform Compatibility Notes: The macOS version is not compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina or later versions³. Linux users may experience technical issues with camera displays and movement controls¹⁹.

Series Continuity

Cluck Yegger exists as part of the broader SpaceVenture universe created by the Two Guys from Andromeda. The character of Cluck Yegger appears in the main SpaceVenture game, where Mike Schiff reprises his voice role²⁰. The game shares thematic DNA with the Space Quest series, featuring the same brand of science fiction parody and absurdist humor that characterized those classic Sierra adventures.

While not a direct sequel or prequel to any specific game, Cluck Yegger serves as a standalone side story within the SpaceVenture continuity. The characters and settings were developed as part of the larger project, making this mini-game an extended preview of the universe that would eventually be fully realized in SpaceVenture (2022)²⁰.

• Related: 2022 - SpaceVenture

References

Footnotes

1. Wikipedia – Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid – release dates, developer info, Tame Mode, development context ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

2. Alchetron – Cluck Yegger in Escape from the Planet of the Poultroid – gameplay mechanics, development timeline, credits, FNAF comparison ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴

3. Steam Store – Official Page – release date, platforms, system requirements, user ratings, game description ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³

4. Kickstarter – Two Guys SpaceVenture Campaign – funding information, developer background ↩ ↩² ↩³

5. Alchetron – Development Notes – Scott Murphy departure, funding purpose ↩

6. Rock Paper Shotgun – SpaceVenture Cluck Yegger Minigame Article – backer release date, game description, Halloween timing ↩ ↩² ↩³

7. Steam Community – User Reviews – player quotes, Linux issues, FNAF comparison, pricing ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵

8. PCGamingWiki – Technical Information – Unity version, storage requirements ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

9. Hero Fandom Wiki – Cluck Yegger Character – character details, occupation, objective ↩

10. Hero Fandom Wiki – Dialogue Quotes – opening transmission, Poultroid peekaboo quote ↩ ↩² ↩³

11. Villains Fandom Wiki – Colonel Zanderz – antagonist details, KFC parody, villain dialogue ↩ ↩² ↩³

12. Steam Community – Discussions – gameplay mechanics, German availability, pricing, bug reports ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

13. Universe of Smash Bros. Lawl Fandom Wiki – character quotes, easter eggs, transformation ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

14. N4G – News Coverage – Cliqist headline ↩

15. itch.io – Official Game Page – user rating, voice acting praise, platforms ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

16. WorldsApps – Mobile Listing – mobile release date, app ratings, download count, file size ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

17. Metacritic – Game Page – release date confirmation, no reviews status ↩

18. MobyGames – Cluck Yegger Credits – voice cast, composers, platforms ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

19. Guys From Andromeda Forums – Bug Reports – Linux issues, VO button, camera problems ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

20. MobyGames – SpaceVenture Credits – Mike Schiff as Cluck Yegger, connection to SpaceVenture ↩ ↩² ↩³