Space Quest V: The Next Mutation

Space Quest V: The Next Mutation is an adventure game where the player controls Roger Wilco, a character who attains the rank of captain through dubious means. His command is a garbage scow named the Eureka, and his mission involves exploration tied to waste collection, which leads him to uncover a conspiracy involving illegal dumping across the galaxy.

The gameplay is controlled entirely with a mouse, using an icon bar to cycle through actions such as walking, examining, and talking. A specific command icon allows orders to be given, primarily to crew members aboard the ship. While earlier interaction options like smelling and tasting are absent, the game maintains a challenging nature with many hazardous situations that can result in the protagonist's death.

Roger's journey is linear and plot-driven, advancing through a series of planets, each with multiple screens and self-contained puzzles. The narrative requires him to solve the disappearance of another captain and face an agent from a past conflict. Story progression is supported by cutscenes presented in a comic book style, and the tone is consistently humorous throughout the various scenarios.