Transarctica

Transarctica is a multi-genre game released by Silmarils in 1993.

Background
December 24th 2022, Operation Blind, a scientific experiment of remarkable daring takes place.

The Blind team, led by the renowned Professor John Merrick, aim to save a world ravaged by the Greenhouse effect, by exploding thermonuclear devices simultaneously at each pole. This will cool the savage rays of the sun by throwing large quantities of dust and steam high into the atmosphere.

The scientists miscalculate. The experiment works all too well, and the world is pitched into an intense Nuclear Winter. Civilization perishes under a blanket of snow and ice.

Centuries later the survivors act out a miserable existence living most of their lives on huge trains, the only source of transport, travelling constantly between those towns that still exist: pathetic shadows of their former selves, used now only as meeting and trading points for the giant trains.

Controlling the trains and the rail network is the sinister and powerful Viking Union. They will tolerate no threats to their profitable monopoly. An ice-locked world suits them just fine.

You play an idealist, Captain of the Transarctica. Inspired by ancient writings you set out to discover more about the now mythical sun. On your travels you learn about Operation Blind, and also of Operation Sun: At last! A chance to fulfill your dream!

Gameplay
Transarctica combines adventure and strategy. To restore the sun you must successfully manage and build up your train, and to do that you must become adept at using maps, avoiding obstacles, controlling steam engines, mining, spying, trading and fighting the battle trains of the Viking Union.

Trivia

 * The cover art is actually Rodney Matthews' Heavy Metal Hero from 1985, that seems to have inspired a part of Transarctica. See here.