Smugglers IV: Doomsday is a turn-based space trading game where the player takes the role of an ensign of one of the four major factions in a war torn galaxy. Starting with a small space ship, it is up to the player on how to achieve fame and fortune, may it be either from trade, crime, or war.
The Character
The player may choose one out of six available professions, in order of appearance: trader, combat trader, mercenary, bounty hunter, smuggler, or pirate. Each profession has a particular set of abilities and a starting ship. Though missions and other activities, the player will gradually gain fame which will lead to a promotion. Each promotion will grant the player access to one new ability (e.g. ribbons will grant the player one non-combat ability). Abilities are divided into combat and non-combat abilities, each of which are divided into three different ability trees representing each profession. The player may choose to add any ability of any profession.
The Ship and Combat
Starting with a small ship, when the player acquires enough money, it may be time to buy a new better ship of the same kind, upgrade its equipment, or buy a larger ship of a different class. Ships have various equipment slots indicating a particular use, such as weapon systems, shields, cargo bays, etc. They may be upgraded at any space station for a price.
Combat occurs when the player attacks another ship or is encountered by an enemy ship while travelling. Space combat is a one on one turned based setting, where each combatant has a specified number of action points available to them. Any action, either it be a ship ability, equipment, or a character ability requires a specified amount of action points. After the action points are spent or no more actions are available, the player ends the turn to enter the next round.
