 Review By: Nick Arvites |
Developer: | Mad Doc Software |
| Publisher: | Bethesda Softworks | |
| Genre: | Strategy | |
| ESRB: | Everyone | |
| # Of Players: | 1-2 | |
| Online Play: | Yes | |
| Accessories: | Xbox Live (online play) |
The campaign is actually pretty solid. While some hardcore Star Trek fans my have an aneurysm with the plot, I didn’t have a problem with it. It manages to tie in all of the series and the Borg, so it works. The missions range from fairly easy to extremely hard, and you’ll perform a variety of roles. While they may start with supply runs or something like that, many of the missions simply devolve into combat situations and there really isn’t anything wrong with that. You can control up to four ships, which are purchased by using the missions' reward points. While this system is adequate, it falls short of the goals stated in production. You cannot upgrade captains, and you cannot upgrade the ships with your points. The AI of the other ships is generally mediocre, though they can hold their own in most situations. However, issuing controls to your other ships can be a chore, and I found myself losing a ship because it wouldn’t follow the other three to a destination.
The multiplayer modes are fairly simplistic. You choose a map and duke it out with a variety of ships. Unless there are restrictions set out by the host, expect everyone to simply select four of the best ships for each individual faction. Players can choose between the Federation, Klingons, Romulans, and Borg, and there is a major advantage to the Klingons and Romulan ships because of the cloaking devices. In my time on Xbox Live, I rarely saw anyone choose anything but a Klingon or Romulan ship. The multiplayer mode can be fun, especially if you can get a room of four people taking out four ships each. Full room battles are frantic, and can be quite enjoyable.
The sound effects present in Star Trek: Legacy are good, but they seem lacking in some areas. The actors provide an excellent narrative, and truly help to advance the stories. However, while you do hear captains saying random things like “engage,” you do not have chatter of your bridge crew. I wasn't expecting any witty banter between the captain and first officer, but I would like some sort of notice that my ship can’t take much more of this.
Bottom Line:
Star Trek: Legacy has a lot of potential, and does deliver an enjoyable single player experience. However, the game falls short on many levels. The controls seem too stripped down, and this pretty much derails the entire game. This is a different approach to the Star Trek series, as it strips out many of the complex areas usually present in space simulations. Yet, the result is a game that is too stripped down to be effective as a space sim and has the same faults that the original MechAssault had (no reason to pick a light ship or older ship, everyone uses the best ships for each faction, etc.).
If you’re a Star Trek junkie, check it out. If you’re anyone else, I simply cannot recommend this game. The game concept is good, and this game would probably be in the 8 to 9 range if the controls were polished.
| Pros: | Cons: | Final Score: |
|---|---|---|
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| 6.5 |
Posted: 2007-01-21 09:59:48 PST