Star Trek doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to video games, but Bethesda has set out to change that with Star Trek Legacy (360) and Star Trek Conquest (Wii/PS2). First, I need to qualify this review with two things: I love both Star Trek and board games. If you also love both Star Trek and board games then Conquest is right up your alley as it meshes the two together in a fun, accessible way.

Strip away the license, and Star Trek Conquest is a simple turn-based strategy game. Simple isn't always a bad thing as it makes the game fairly accessible and easy to learn. The only thing missing is a tutorial mode. While Star Trek Conquest's learning curve isn't exceedingly steep you can expect to lose your first two or three bouts because you're learning as you go instead of being led through a simulation by a high-ranking official from your race of choice. Of the myriad races in the Star Trek universe six are playable here: Federation, Romulans, Klingons, Cardassians, Jem'Hadar, and Breen. "Why the Breen?" you ask - because Conquest is set during the Dominion War, and as long as all races play pretty much the same six is a more impressive number of factions than five. And although unplayable, Conquest also features a few other races like the Ferengi and the Borg. It's a nice touch for us Trek enthusiasts, but I'd much rather be playing as the Borg than the Breen.

Star Trek Conquest, being a turn-based strategy game, is much easier to approach than something like Starcarft. The action is segmented, the player is given time to think, and - in this case - no arcade skills are technically required. The planning phase of each turn is always turn-based, and the attack/defend phase can be played either as a simulation or an arcade session. Simulation allows you to orchestrate your attack from a very high level (choose offensive, defensive, or neutral and let the compute figure out the rest), and if things turn south you can always retreat to fight another day. Arcade mode, though, for those that long to sit at the helm of the Defiant is a joy to play. Each admiral controls up to seven ships, and control can be toggled with a quick press of the + button. From there A and B fire primary and secondary weapons, Z pushes the thrusters, and the analog stick steers your ship. Shields are also present here, and the amount of shielding a ship has depends on its size and class. Hulking brutes have three layers to make up for their methodical pace and slow rate of fire while scouts have only one layer and must rely on their maneuverability to win a fight.

Admirals (each faction has three) gain experience with each battle and bestow a combat bonus on each of their ships. One grants an attack bonus, another a defense bonus, and a third a movement bonus. Three fleets are relatively simple to manage and provide you with a good defense force for home, an assault force for taking over neighboring star systems, and a scout fleet for exploration. Each star system under your control can house either a mining colony to produce money (used to build ships and recruit admirals) or a research station (used to unlock special weapons and reduced ship costs). Balance is needed here as all the special weapons in the game won't help you when you're outnumbered three fleets to one. Special weapons are easy to deploy and don't cost any money. This makes research well worth the effort as your forces can continue the fight while you construct a special weapon without diminishing your war effort.

If Star Trek Legacy has a glaring fault it's that the Star Trek license isn't used to its full potential. Where are the memorable Starfleet admirals? Where are the custom ship titles (Starfleet doesn't have scouts; they have runabouts)? And where is the television voice talent? Avery Brooks may not single-handedly turn the tide of battle, but his voice is familiar and would be a welcome addition to the detailed ship models.

Star Trek Conquest isn't for everybody, but no Star Trek game ever has been. Sadly, Star Trek Conquest lacks a multiplayer option, but the game would be a lot less fun if you always knew your opponent's position and strategy anyhow. If you like strategy games and miss seeing Star Trek on your television then Star Trek Conquest is definitely worth your time.

Jan 11, 2008 | 0 comments
Justin Last