Mise Quadam

Did You Know?

• The game's inventory is located at the bottom of the screen.
• The gameplay is wholly controlled via the mouse using single click commands.
• The game features many pixel hunting puzzles.

Plot

In 2360, androids have killed all humans on Earth and plan to destroy all vegetation using an element called Cybertrone. A group of human scientists hiding on Matna Plus, a planetoid between Mars and Jupiter, seek to destroy the androids with the sodogomorator, a technology invented by an extinct civilization on the moon Quadam. The first mission crew, Willfram Kyrr and Eric Levassor, fell silent after weeks.

Development

The game was created by Petr Mandík and Petr Bartáček's company Agawa, which focused on sci-fi titles. Bartáček was impressed by Mandík's earlier game Mavlin: Vesmírný únik and its engine, seeing potential for better games. An external graphic artist drew pictures on paper, which Mandík and Bartáček scanned and animated. Agawa released two adventure games: Mise Quadam (1995) and Swigridova kletba (1996). Two further adventures, Orientální dobrodružství and MMA, were planned for 1998 but cancelled; Orientální dobrodružství had completed graphics and required major engine changes from Swigridova kletba, while MMA was only in planning. The company disbanded a year later as Mandík and Bartáček changed careers.

Reception

Mise Quadam received mixed reviews, with scores ranging from 30% to 65%. Critics agreed it was professionally conceived and advanced the Czech adventure industry. Vladimir Ponechal of Excalibur praised the well-crafted manual, story, and humor, noting protagonist David resembles Dempsey and likening the game to Pterodon titles such as Tajemství Oslího ostrova and 7 dní a 7 nocí; he criticized the animation and graphics but concluded it could compare to the best Czech adventures of the time, with gameplay compensating for poor graphics. Tomáš Landa of Level gave 50%, stating the game is harder than necessary due to confusing graphics and an initially illogical story that became clear on a second playthrough; he also criticized the graphics. Andrej Anastasov of Score gave 30%, calling the game amateurish, with ugly graphics, a weird story, and illogical gameplay. Matěj Baran of Riki gave 55%, noting it reminded him of Terminator, criticizing poor graphics and music and high difficulty leading to a nervous experience, but stating he enjoyed much fun playing it.