Maelstrom is a good example of a great game concept marred by poor execution.
As "overlord," you must transform a planet's mining-oriented culture to a war-oriented one. The game has many strong points, e.g. the innovative personnel management, a strong non-linear plot with many optional sub-plots, and intriguing espionage model. Unfortunately, they get buried beneath a cumbersome interface.
Bear with its idiosyncracies for a while, though, and you'll find a decent game lurking underneath despite all the micromanagement and tough time constraints.
Review By HOTUD
English 
Comments and reviews
CD-ROM release: https://archive.org/details/maelstrom-cdrom
The manual is on the CD as ASCII text (contains copy protection codes).
In the Exodos set is a PDF manual, which has a lot of hints at the end.
Despite the steep learning curve in getting used to the interface and mechanics this is my favorite strategy game of all time. A remake of Maelstrom has the potential to be the best app game imaginable. What it would take is more than what's in the finished product of this DOS classic. A reworked user interface, a new and complete audio to spice up the immersion and possibly switching to a more turn based system as it can be difficult to manage your time in this game. A simple 'turn in for the night' button so that the days don't just blaze by while you're assigning a research project or loose half a week reading through applicant resumes for a ship captain.
- I like this one very much.
- Sad it is buggy
Waiting for Remake !
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.