Star Trek: Hidden Evil

The Good
The story was actually pretty good, and the voice work was well done. The background scenes were well done and contributed to the game environment.

The game had some cool ideas. You could use the Tricorder to find out information. Some puzzles were challenging. The music was ok and the in game effects were kind of cool.

The Bad
The controls were terrible. You would constantly do the circle dance as you tried to run and turn at the same time. The invisible borders were truly difficult to find. It was nearly as bad as Nocturne. The controls left you helpless against some enemies as you auto aim.

The Bottom Line
Its a game that Trekkies MIGHT enjoy. Others, not so much.

The Good
Music : the music is of atmospheric and of a generally high standard, if a little repetitive.

Graphics : the pre-rendered 3D scenes are nicely done.

The Bad
Fixed perspective on each scene : sometimes you can't see that you're walking directly into danger.

One handed character? : your character can either use a weapon, a tricorder or press a button. i.e. you have to put your weapon away to activate some equipment. While being attacked by aliens. 'nuff said.

Repetitive areas : each area in the space station is almost identical. Realistic, some may say. But this is a game - gameplay is the primary concern.

Story : or rather, a very silly sci-fi plot and a script written by a 6-year-old in crayon on the inside of a Cornflakes packet. Most egregious moment: after having discovered the location of the space station, and even informing your captain of them, you then find yourself flying aimlessly around a nebula in search of said station. Suddenly your character calls out "There it is!", and your ship is directly in front of it. Handy, that.

Voice acting : Patrick Stewart tries, but you can tell his heart isn't in it. And with this script, why should it be? Brent Spiner does his usual. If there's any justice, whoever does the voice of the player character is now back shoveling fries in McDonalds (2005 note: he's not - he's now starring in "Jake 2.0")

Game depth : there isn't any. 2 hours or so should see this game finished, re-packages and returned to the vendor with a strongly worded letter.

The Bottom Line
This is an example of how low a publisher can go in pursuit of your money. There are no circumstances under which I can recommend this game to anyone, regardless of how much of a Trek fan you may be, or how casual a gamer you are.

The above opinions were compiled at the time I first completed the game in 2000. You may now find the game going cheap 2nd hand, or on sale - if it's less than a dollar, go for it - otherwise, you're being swindled.

The Good
This game is excellent. I liked how Ensign Sovok moves, and how the 3D in-game cutscenes fit into with the game. I also liked the voice acting. It was superb!!! There was never a moment when the speaker crackled. They actually got Patrick Stewart to do Captain Picard, which was good. And I liked the authentic character 3D models.

The Bad
I can't find anything that I didn't like, although I am still playing it.

The Bottom Line
Go out and BUY THIS GAME!!! I got mine for $8 in a DVD case. $8 is just a fraction of the price of a game such as Quake 3. GO AND BUY STAR TREK HIDDEN EVIL!!!