The candidates differ in abilities, for example, in their degree of autonomy, efficiency, foresight for possible imminent problems, obedience, stress tolerance, physical vulnerability and teamwork.

Herein lies the difficulty: the player must make quick decisions and set priorities in order to handle, for example, several attackers in time and fight them in a sensible manner, with the right weapons and to divide energy for various purposes, such as flying evasive manoeuvres and keeping the life support systems in operation and repairing damage with the limited availability of repair robots, etc.

[1] The sound of the Commodore 64 version was rated very good by many reviewers, and the SID music by Ed Bogas was described as "diverse".

[citation needed] Computer Gaming World in 1986 called Psi-5 Trading Company "both challenging and fast-moving.

It is extremely absorbing as one crisis after another bombards the player", and concluded that it "blends 'fog of war', tactical options, and smooth playability into an exciting challenge and a stirring space adventure".

Ports to other systems followed:[5] Psi-5 Trading Company featured in six episodes of Computer Warrior in British comic Eagle issues 210 to 215, in 1986.

[6] In 2022, a 20th Anniversary Edition remake by programmer, designer and musician Gary Wong was made available for free.