Star Trek: Shattered Universe

The Good
As the title implies, you somehow end up in another universe (man, I really don't like parallel universe stories, but this one was made pretty interesting so I won't complain on that account) taking the role of your-parallel-self as you switched place with him. At the same time, that other you ended up in your part of the space. So, how big could the changes be... quite, because there is no Federation on this behalf, but instead there's an Empire and from the look at it, they ain't plain' the good guys. Needless to say, alas, you will battle your own comrades (or at least comrades of other Captain Sulu) and some of the already known species such as Klingons and Romulans.

The story takes many twists and turns as you will make alliances with your enemies due to circumstances at hand, and even grow as powerful to launch an assault upon the Empire (just think what the other Sulu is doing in your space if he's anything alike, which the ending will help to explain). There are 19 missions in total but they are not as short nor easy as one might expect. As a matter of fact, each of them is so well established it could almost make a standalone episode. That's one of the best part of the game, through those 19 missions you feel like you're watching a season of 19 episodes, and one per day would just be enough to make you think of the most recent events and what might expect you next.

As for the ships and fighters, I can't say I much care whether they're never-before-seen or already known, it's a mix of both, and they all have unique weapons and abilities. In this game you only commandeer fighters, not the battleships, but you will fight battleships nevertheless. Of course, you won't stand a chance if you use direct approach against them even if you're playing it on easy level of difficulty, but that's the whole fun in finding their weak spot after taking down their shields. Unlike with fighters, battleships won't replenish their shields while your fighter, as well as enemy fighters, will replenish shields rather quickly so it's not so wise to leave a wounded prey.

Missions are great in design and filling in the story, you will fight in the wormhole, inside the vortex, make alliances and protect your allies, fight against known and unknown enemies, and boldly go where noone has gone before. Yeah, the STTNG feeling is all over this game, and Sulu isn't that bad of a commander either. All in all, this game forms better storyline than most of the Star Trek series.

The Bad
Although there is an easy level of difficulty, it will still require of you to lay a proper judgment of your fighter for the mission at hand as well as quick reflexes to handle multiple attacks, evade enemy fire, and do the task at hand in timed missions. It is nowhere near as hard as easy level in TransFormers, but requires much more of thinking to handle certain enemies.

Also, this game doesn't let you switch Y-axis so if you're used that up is up and down is down, you'll have to take some time to adapt 'cos resistance is futile.

The Bottom Line
Great game with the spirit of Star Trek franchise that gives a solid story with lots of interesting sub-parts, unexpected plot twists, and twice as fighters to commandeer. The menu is nicely handled as a bridge control room which lets you see all the cinematics up to the point reached, and there is at least one cinematic per game. It's not an interactive movie like Cyberia, but movies are as present as in MGS games.