<P> Game play centers around the player searching for a missing employee SkyQuest AstroLab, an astronomer that was working on a supercomputer named Astronomica prior to his disappearance . Players must solve several puzzles based on space trivia to progress . </P> <P> Critical reception for Astronomica has been mixed, with many outlets criticizing its difficulty of game play . Entertainment Weekly rated the game a C+, writing "Ultimately, Astronomica does little more than familiarize players with basic space terms . Despite some sloppy production values (such as the director's audible" Action!"), the game does offer a reference encyclopedia and detailed planetary photographs science buffs will appreciate ." The Washington Post was also critical of the game, as they felt it was "low - budget programming and design, pure and simple". </P> <P> Computer Shopper was more positive, commenting "with some of the slickest photo - realistic 3 - D images around, it's as much a feast for the eyes as for the brain ." </P>

Astronomica the quest for the edge of the universe