Star Trek Star Fleet Command 2
January 22, 2002
It is an awkward task for programmers to turn popular board games, such as Star Fleet Battles, into a PC game that is consistent with the original. Starfleet Command II manages to create an excellent game while maintaining the unique qualities of the old table top system. The game uses many components of the first PC game but adds some noteworthy features, such as new races (the Mirak/Kzinti and the Interstellar Concordium) and a campaign. The game has higher requirements, and a typical install of about 1 gig (aauugh). The graphics are improved and SFC2 does feature an excellent multi-player option. I recommended installing the latest patch immediately to eliminate bugs from their Christmas rush release. One major problem I uncovered, was the longer you play a campaign, the slower the campaign gets. I wrote Interplay about this issue and was reassured it would be fixed shortly. As of this writing, no new patch as been released and the campaign turns are becoming prohibitively slow. All bugs aside, the campaign system is good, combining multiplayers (the Dynaverse), freedom and storyline.
The game is much easier to learn with the extensive tutorials included. This requires the player to learn on well rounded Federation ships but gives the newbie a great feel and understanding of the controls. The book also features many details for the game and recommended strategies for each race’s unique vessels. The new races are the focus of the campaign modules and provide many interesting missions for the players. The variety of missions breaks the monotony of the usual “Engage and Destroy” mission of the skirmish mode.
Gameplay is very smooth on my Pentium 800, and the speed can be slowed to retain the older “turn based” feel of Star Fleet Battles. Except for the disappointing glitch in campaign mode, Starfleet Command 2 is an excellent addition to the Star Trek game line. I usually feel like I am gambling when I buy a Star Trek game, but this proves to be a worthy addition. If you are looking for leaps and bounds above the first you might be disappointed. Star Fleet Command 2 is a great game if you are looking to hop in a starship and test your mettle in tactical combat.
System Requirements:
Pentium 300 MHz or better without 3D acceleration, Pentium 266 MHz or better with 3D acceleration; Windows 95/98 with DirectX 6.1 (included); 32 MB RAM; 250 MB free HDD space; 4X or faster CD-ROM drive, DirectX certified sound and video card; 100% Microsoft compatible mouse; 100% Microsoft compatible keyboard; Supports TNT 1 & 2, Rage 128, Voodoo 1, 2 and 3 or comparable D3D supporting video cards. Multiplayer supported (up to 6-players) via modem/serial cable, direct TCP/IP or Mplayer.
Star Trek Star Fleet Command 2
Developer: Interplay
Publisher: Interplay
1+ Player Game
Genre: Strategy
Rating: B
Platform: PC
E-Mail This Article 
Print This Article