Star Trek: Conquest Platform: Sony PS2 Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Developer: 4J Studios Released: November 20, 2007 Players: 1
Star Trek: Conquest has been released on the Sony PlayStation 2 courtesy of Bethesda Softworks. Star Trek fans have been waiting for a release such as this for quite some time as the franchise really has not been given the proper treatment to date in terms of video games. This game may not completely change that perception, but it certainly sways it a bit as this is definitely an enjoyable game for Star Trek fans who like their share of strategy.
The setting of the game is a time of war where every single race is at war as all alliances from the past are now ancient history.
The game allows you to take on the role of either the Federation, Romulan, Klingon, Cardassian, Dominion, or Breen Forces. You are able to lead them in either a campaign mode or just a skirmish mode if you want to jump into a quick battle.
The game plays out in a similar fashion to the type of game you would have if you played Advance Wars or something of that nature. The game is based on a turn-based strategy set-up as you will select a race to start things off. From here you will have a home base where you can branch out by building up your economy, gaining territory through battles, etc. in classic turn-based strategy play.
One very cool twist to all of this though is the fact that in battles you will have the choice to either simulate their result or go into an arcade mode where you will actually take control. You will be giving commands to the ships in order to guide them throughout the battle. In some instances I found that this actually really helped as I won a few battles I probably should not have do to my skill at being able to manipulate the various commands such as lasers, shields, etc.
The great thing about this game is that the six playable races all have different prices for their units, different powers to their units, buildings etc. This means that you will have to adapt a strategy for each of the races or pick one you like and really get to know the race and its units. As you begin to build up ships and such you will be able to upgrade them along the way as well.
There is a very solid amount of depth and balance in Conquest on the strategy front in regards to the various ships, admirals you choose, etc. Whether you choose an attack, defense, or movement admiral is key to the style of game you want to play.
Another very cool strategic system in place here is the research system. This allows you to have outposts with certain skill points appointed to them. You can build up and unlock upgrades through ships from here. You will also be able to do more things such as build up defenses, lower costs for such buildings and more. This unique aspect is key to the overall strategy for the game as you wind up trying to balance what is more important, having a bigger fleet for a quicker attack, or doing more research for a more powerful fleet in the future, etc.
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