Summary

Release Year: 1990
Genres: Strategy
Platforms: Amiga, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Developers: Toys for Bob
Publishers: Accolade

Star Control (1990): A Spacefaring Masterpiece

Released in 1990, Star Control is a science-fiction wargame that quickly became a classic of the genre. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Accolade, the game puts players in command of the Alliance of Free Stars, a diverse coalition of alien races united against the predatory Ur-Quan Hierarchy.

Star Control is notable for its innovative gameplay, which combines strategic ship-to-ship combat with exploration, diplomacy, and resource management. Players must carefully manage their resources, research new technologies, and build up their fleet in order to defeat the Ur-Quan Hierarchy and save the galaxy.

The game features a wide variety of ships, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players can choose from a variety of ship types, including corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and dreadnoughts. Each ship type has its own unique weapons, defenses, and special abilities.

In addition to ship-to-ship combat, Star Control also features a number of other gameplay elements, including:

Exploration: Players can explore a vast galaxy, visiting different planets and star systems. Each planet has its own unique environment and inhabitants, and players can interact with them in a variety of ways.
Diplomacy: Players can engage in diplomacy with other alien races. They can form alliances, trade resources, and even declare war.
Resource management: Players must carefully manage their resources in order to build up their fleet and research new technologies. Resources can be obtained from mining planets, trading with other races, or completing missions.

Star Control’s story is one of the most epic and engrossing in gaming history. The game follows the Alliance of Free Stars as they fight against the Ur-Quan Hierarchy, a ruthless alien race that seeks to conquer the galaxy. The story is told through a series of cutscenes and dialogue sequences, and it features a cast of memorable characters.

Star Control was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, its engrossing story, and its beautiful graphics. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains popular with gamers today.

Gameplay

Star Control is a turn-based strategy game. Players take turns moving their ships around the galaxy, exploring planets, and engaging in combat with enemy ships. Combat is resolved through a series of dice rolls, and players must carefully manage their resources in order to win.

In addition to ship-to-ship combat, Star Control also features a number of other gameplay elements, including:

Exploration: Players can explore a vast galaxy, visiting different planets and star systems. Each planet has its own unique environment and inhabitants, and players can interact with them in a variety of ways.
Diplomacy: Players can engage in diplomacy with other alien races. They can form alliances, trade resources, and even declare war.
Resource management: Players must carefully manage their resources in order to build up their fleet and research new technologies. Resources can be obtained from mining planets, trading with other races, or completing missions.

Story

The story begins with the discovery of a mysterious alien artifact. The artifact is quickly identified as a weapon of immense power, and the Alliance of Free Stars is formed to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. However, the Ur-Quan Hierarchy also knows about the artifact, and they are determined to seize it for themselves.

The Alliance and the Hierarchy clash in a series of battles, and the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance. The player must lead the Alliance to victory, or the galaxy will be plunged into darkness.

Characters

Star Control features a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique personality and motivations. Some of the most notable characters include:

Captain Gideon: The human captain of the starship Ulysses, Gideon is a brilliant strategist and a skilled diplomat. He is also a strong believer in the Alliance of Free Stars, and he is determined to defeat the Ur-Quan Hierarchy.
Chenjesu: A Shofixti engineer, Chenjesu is a genius who is responsible for designing many of the Alliance’s most powerful weapons. He is also a pacifist, and he believes that the Alliance should only use force as a last resort.
Muulon: A Melnorme merchant, Muulon is a shrewd businessman who is always looking for a profit. He is also a valuable member of the Alliance, as he has access to a vast network of informants.
Ur-Quan Kzer-Za: The leader of the Ur-Quan Hierarchy, Kzer-Za is a ruthless and ambitious tyrant. He is determined to conquer the galaxy, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Legacy

Star Control is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, its engrossing story, and its beautiful graphics. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains popular with gamers today.

Star Control has also had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s innovative gameplay mechanics have been copied by many other games, and its story has inspired a number of other science-fiction works. Star Control is a true classic, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.