I’ve always loved playing Star Trek games - what Trek devotee wouldn’t want to stand shoulder to shoulder with their heroes? Or command a ship of their own?
Unfortunately one thing that interfere with the trekishness of games, particularly on console is the emphasis on combat. Sure we all love a good starship Smackdown or a dust up in our favourite franchise but Trek is more than “pew pew” and aside from “tractor this” and “scan that” most trek games see you in conflict.
But what about the tough choices? Kirk having to let Edith Keeler die. Picard defying orders he knows are wrong. Sisko’s plan to get the Romulans in the war. The internet runtime that STILL is dedicated to debating Tuvix. Oh, and Archer was a pirate once. Can this be somehow translated to the Trek console games?
Star Trek Resugence offers a resounding “Yes”.
We have a narrative adventure game from Dramaric Labs. In this genre you must make narrative choices which take you down different paths.
You control two protagonists- Commander Jara Rydek the XO and crewman Carter Diaz. Each chapter sees one of these two unravel a mystery while forging relationships with the crew, their enemies and allies, as well as Star Trek legends.
The setting is a year after Nemesis, and it shows. The era is faithfully recreated in the environment and plot. The action takes place on eve USS Resolute.
The graphics are great, again faithfully creating Trek tech of the era and creating consistent alien environments too.
The gameplay is good. A series of simple mini games punctuated by key narrative moments. I’m selling it short here, but I don’t want to go into spoiler territory, but there are plenty of tough choices ahead.
Sound wise, we have a top notch audio cast including a Trek legend. The music is consistent with the like of Goldsmith and Horner
If I have one criticism, it is that there are a few bugs, however they are minor or can be resolved by a reset.
Overall if you are a Trek fan and a gamer I’d say this is an essential purchase. If you are a Trek fan who doesn’t game it is very user friendly.
I would rate it 4/5
