[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/project_firestart_game.png]]
Developed by Creator/{{Dynamix}} and published by Creator/ElectronicArts for the Platform/{{Commodore 64}} in 1989, ''Project Firestart'' is one of the earliest examples of the SurvivalHorror genre.

On September 12, 2061, the System Science Foundation loses contact with the research vessel ''Prometheus'', which is in orbit near Saturn's moon Titan. The SSF sends agent Jon Hawking to investigate, warning him of the genetic experiment that has been taking place on the ship. Almost immediately after docking at the ''Prometheus'', Jon finds his first hint at the nature of the incident: a dismembered crew member next to [[DyingClue the word "DANGER" scrawled in blood]].

Jon's primary objectives are to recover the science log for the experiment (the eponymous "Project Firestart") and set the ''Prometheus'' to self-destruct, in order to curb whatever disaster the experiment has caused. However, occasional {{cutscene}}s interspersed through gameplay clue the player in to other happenings on the ship, all of which serve to complicate the situation in one way or another.
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!!''Project Firestart'' demonstrates the following tropes:
* AmbiguouslyBrown: Every single character, living or dead, who appears in the flesh. WordOfGod is that this is the most realistic human skin tone they could achieve with the C64's limited color palette.
* ApocalypticLog: The science log details the initial conception of the genetically-engineered organisms all the way to when they become too aggressive to control.
* BigDamnHeroes: Even if you get to the cryogenic chamber as fast as possible, it's still {{just in time}} to see one of the creatures breaking through the door on the other side. On the other hand, you can also be too slow (see YouAreTooLate below).
* BlackoutBasement: At one point the main power goes down in the ''Prometheus'', though environments and characters are still somewhat visible through grey outlines. Jon has to engage the backup generator to get things in order again. [[spoiler:Annar is the one who turns off the power. This is also when the second-generation creature appears.]]
* ChekhovsArmoury: The science log notes a few environmental vulnerabilities of the creatures which Jon can take advantage of, though a laser rifle also takes them out with a few shots. [[spoiler:Then he meets the second-generation creature and needs to exploit those weaknesses to kill it.]]
* CollisionDamage: There's no attack animation for the enemies; they just slowly drain health when they're next to Jon. Running through an enemy automatically takes out a chunk of the life meter.
* CriticalExistenceFailure: Jon can pump laser after laser into a creature until it finally breaks apart. Fortunately for the player, Jon also continues functioning at normal capacity until his health is completely gone.
* DiedInYourArmsTonight: If Mary dies while following Jon, the player gets a short cutscene of her last moments while cradled in Jon's arms.
* DroneOfDread: Plays occasionally to add tension to the otherwise still ambiance, such as when Jon first arrives on the ''Prometheus''.
* DyingClue: One of the first things Jon sees on the ''Prometheus'' is a dead crew member lying next to the word "DANGER" written on the wall in blood.
* EnergyWeapon: The fan remake has weapons firing slower-than-light glowing spheres. In the original game, the player doesn't see the projectiles, only what looks to be some kind of muzzle flash on the guns.
* EscapePod: Fortunately the ''Prometheus'' has these, even if some are unconventional. [[spoiler:Jon has to escape in a shuttle when his own ship is destroyed. Mary has to make do with a waste pod.]]
* EscortMission: After rescuing Mary in the cryogenic chamber, Jon must protect her from harm while leading her to a safer hiding place.
* ExplosionPropulsion: Shooting the explosives in the armory is typically a poor idea. Stand near the doorway, though, and the blast shoves Jon out.
* FanRemake: Simply called ''[[http://earok.net/firestart Firestart]]'' and reimagining the game as a FirstPersonShooter.
* FirstNameBasis: Everyone who calls Jon Hawking by name calls him "Jon".
* HealThyself: The ''Prometheus'' has single-use first aid kits on the walls next to certain elevators. The medical lab also has a walk-in regeneration machine.
* ImmuneToBullets: The creatures appear to be this as they lumber towards Jon without recoiling from laser fire, but they do die eventually. [[spoiler:The second-generation creature won't go down from guns alone.]]
* KillItWithIce: One room of the ship is a walk-in freezer. Staying in there is as bad for Jon's health as it is for the enemies'.
* LegoGenetics: The genetic makeup of the creatures includes oxen DNA for physical strength and fungal chromosomes for environmental endurance.
* LifeMeter: Represented as a row of triangle brackets, with each icon changing color and then finally disappearing as Jon takes damage.
* LimitedLoadout: Jon can carry two laser rifles at a time, and there's no way to recharge or swap ammo. If you want to pick up a brand new rifle from the armory, Jon has to empty out one of the ones he's already carrying.
* LimitedSoundEffects: There aren't many, even in dramatic situations like when Jon's blasting away at enemies. Though the musical cue for nearby enemies does sound like an alarm and lumbering footsteps.
* MeaningfulName: The ship being called the ''Prometheus'' -- as well as the name "Firestart" -- evokes the [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek myth]] of bringing knowledge to mankind. Furthermore, the developers originally planned to title the game ''The Prometheus Encounter''.
* MeanwhileScene: The game occasionally interrupts with a {{cutscene}} of something happening elsewhere on the ship.
* MookDebutCutscene: You're introduced to the enemy after collecting the ID card and attempting to return to Jon's ship. However, you can encounter enemies before the debut cutscene, whether by heading to the kitchen, the oxygen room, the plasma rifle, or Corridor K.
* MonsterDelay: The game's opening does show a glimpse of a creature as it begins to rampage. Jon spots another of the creatures in a hibernation tank while retrieving the science log early in his mission. Several moments later, he starts fighting off the creatures for real.
* MultipleEndings: The ''Prometheus'' presumably self-destructs regardless of what happens onboard, but the player’s actions determine who survives the ordeal.
* MusicalSpoiler: There's a specific musical cue whenever a creature is in the same room as you. Also carries over to the fan remake where it's based on proximity, so you can get a warning through walls too.
* NonStandardGameOver: Open the door in Corridor F (where enemies infinitely spawn). [[spoiler:A large group of creatures ambushes Jon in a cutscene.]]
* OffTheShelfFX: The creatures were modeled after an action figure of Tendril from ''WesternAnimation/{{Inhumanoids}}''.
* PlasmaCannon: Find the right room in the ship and Jon can acquire a "plasma laser" which is more powerful than his standard guns.
* PressXToNotDie: [[spoiler:In endings where Annar confronts Jon aboard the shuttle, Annar will kill Jon unless you do something about it. Fortunately, you have several seconds, and any input will work.]]
* RayGun: Laser rifles are Jon's weapon of choice aboard the ''Prometheus''. The introductory scene indicates that he normally carries something with more punch, but it's liable to cause too much environmental damage for this mission.
* RefusalOfTheCall: Your first action at the start of the game can be to turn Jon around and make him leave the ''Prometheus''. He gets chewed out for his cowardice.
* RespawningEnemies: Corridor F produces an endless stream of the creatures. Better find another route.
* RoamingEnemy: There are a few specific places you're guaranteed to run into one of the creatures, but otherwise you can never be sure when one will show up. They even follow Jon from room to room.
* {{Rotoscoping}}: This is how the characters were animated.
* ScareChord: One used several times for any shocking encounter, such as Jon finding mutilated bodies or running into a new creature.
* SceneryGorn: The ''Prometheus'' is very liberally smeared with the bloody remains of the crew.
* ShortRangeLongRangeWeapon: Since enemies don't recoil from damage, it's hard to tell whether there's a range limit or the lasers deal less damage over distance. Either way Jon has a tough time killing a creature before it gets close enough to scratch him.
* SubspaceAnsible: The SSF advises Jon to use the radio on the ''Prometheus'' and pass on status updates.
* TacticalDoorUse: Jon can close doors behind him to stop mutants from following. [[spoiler:This won't stop the second-generation mutant, who can open the door after a few seconds.]]
* TalkingIsAFreeAction: There's no harm in accessing a terminal to read logs or chat with a supervisor even with a genetic abomination breathing down your neck.
* ThwartedEscape: The ''SSF Exis'' suffers a catastrophic explosion after some time, or if you try leaving with the science log. If you check the computer messages, it says that the cause of the explosion is unknown. [[spoiler:Fast players may trigger the explosion before the cryo chamber unlocks and Annar starts moving around the ship.]]
* TimedMission: Jon has two hours to accomplish his objectives before his superiors are forced to detonate the ''Prometheus'' by remote control. Once Jon sets the self-destruct manually, he has 25 minutes to evacuate.
* WeaksauceWeakness: The science logs show one of the specimens died due to an overabundance of oxygen. The logs also state other weaknesses, such as radiation (harmful to humans but lethal to the specimen), and cold temperatures.
* YouAreTooLate: If you take too long to get to the cryogenic chamber, you discover that the creatures have already broken in and killed Mary. The back of the game box shows a gruesome spoiler.
-->''The tragic results '''if''' you fail!''
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