If there is one classic game even above X-Com that needs an amazing sequel it is Star Control 2 (or SC2) which has been the only game so far that I can say is my favorite game of all time. SC2 basically did Grand Theft Auto sandbox style of game play before we even knew what GTA was (the game not the crime). The game is also one of the few games to have such an amazing interaction of game systems (which is similar to why X-Com is still one of the best games around.)
The story of SC2 takes place after Earth has become enslaved by an alien race called the Ur Quan and has been placed in an anti escape field . The player controls a crew of humans that have been living on an alien world for a long time and have found ancient alien technology used to create a new kind of alien ship. The game begins with the crew aboard the alien ship entering the Sol system (our galaxy) to find the planet closed off.
After a few required scenes the player is now free to explore the universe, that’s right the universe is open. Using the Sol system as home base, the player can explore any of the other systems and will be able to mine them for minerals and local flora and fauna. These items can be traded for resource units (RU) and credits used to upgrade your ship and purchase technology to make life easier. And upgrade you will, at the start of the game your ship is just a floating husk unable to barely defend itself and will rely on other ships (more on that later). The universe is home to a very diverse group of aliens which you’ll be interacting with. The main goal of the game is to discover a way to free Earth and destroy the Ur Quan Empire.
The game is made up of five main systems of play. First is flying through space, which you’ll be doing alot to the main star systems. Enemy ships can be seen and will initiate either combat or conversation when you bump into them, planets can be explored using the same method. Next is customizing your main ship, from the space station you can spend RU to add a variety of equipment to your ship. From more weapons to turning jets and thrusters to make it faster while exploring and fighting. Whenever you talk to aliens, you’ll be taken into a choose your dialogue conversation allowing to ask (or taunt) the alien in a variety of ways.
The last two are what you’ll be doing the most in SC2. On any non gas planet you have the option to send down a lander to mine the planet for resources. Mining requires you to guide the lander around the surface picking up the minerals and shooting the local wild life with a stun shot. While your doing this you will have to deal with earthquakes, lightning, and fire depending on the type of planet. Mining is pivotal to the game early on as without it you will not be able to afford the fuel, and equipment needed to survive in the universe. Combat plays a huge role as obviously if your main ship is destroyed it’s game over. Each species in the game (including human) has their own type of space craft and you can assemble your fleet from any type that your friendly with. Combat is real time as you fight the enemy fleet one ship at a time, crew represents the health of the ship and once there is no one left aboard the ship goes boom. Each alien ship also comes with a unique ability, and combat was so fun that the designers added in a multi player mode where players can built a fleet and fight each other.
There are many reasons why SC2 is on alot of gamers “best of” list. As mentioned earlier , SC2 has 5 well integrated systems to play around with, each different from each other. SC2 is one of the earliest examples I can remember that did open ended game play of this caliber, but unlike a game like X-Com there was a clear end point. Events tied into time would happen in the game and alien species can be wiped out if you don’t get to them. The game also had what could be called a “death march” scenario as one of the eviler alien species would begin wiping out everyone else after a specific date. This serves to not only give the player a focus goal but tie into game play, you could spend a few months mining planets to build up your ship, but it could cost some of the alien species their lives.
The story is pretty unique with the Earth taken out of the picture and the alien species are well defined and interesting to talk with. The game play of SC2 hasn’t been copied perfectly in all this time in my opinion. Playing Space Rangers 2 and Escape Velocity Nova which tries the open ended game play system similar to SC2 still doesn’t come out the same in my opinion. The difference is in the scope of the games, Space Rangers’ goal is opened ended and allows the player complete freedom in that regard. Personality I think that is too much and I prefer to have a clear specific goal to accomplish if even it’s going to take a long time . Which is achieved in StarControl2 by freeing the Earth from the Ur-Quan.
The game play in SC2 is well integrated ( a comment I made about X-Com as well), each system adds more depth to the game and keeps thing from becoming to stale. Another factor is the game is pretty unique in it’s design, and I’ve yet to see a game be able to beat it in terms of game play. The game also has that “one more turn” feel to it as you explore the dozens if not hundreds of planets in the universe for resources to help your cause. Replaying the game is as easy as picking a different direction to go off in from the Sol system and see what turns up.Like all classics I could nitpick a few design decisions and offer suggestions now, but considering the time this game came out and the fact that no has been able to successfully copy what made this game great I can’t complain.
Josh
