Star Control

aka: starcon
Moby ID: 205
DOS Specs
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Description official descriptions

Star Control is a science-fiction wargame which pits the forces of the Alliance of Free Stars against those of the predatory Ur-Quan Hierarchy. The games are designed so that you can ease into play, familiarizing yourself with menus, options and player controls. The Alliance and Hierarchy each possess different types of warships. Each vessel has its own maneuvering and firing characteristics, plus a unique special power that you can employ when circumstances dictate.

The game has two modules: the Melee, in which you can simply blast the computer or another player to smithereens using one of 16 different ships, in either Hierarchy or Alliance fleets; or, should you wish for a more challenging game, lets you play one of 9 preset scenarios.

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (DOS version)

37 People (17 developers, 20 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 64% (based on 24 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 75 ratings with 9 reviews)

A solid game worth playing.

The Good
While I didn't really like the full game (I was young and couldn't get the hang of it), the melee is simply awesome and so are the ship descriptions. The music (when there is any) is good and the graphics are wonderful.

The Bad
Well, again, the full game isn't very good. And the computer is genuinely stupid.

The Bottom Line
A really well done game you'll probably enjoy.

DOS · by Tomer Gabel (4539) · 1999

I think this game is one of the most entertaining stragedy games and creative

The Good
I like the gameplay and excitment in the game. I think the ship descriptions gave more realization to how the ships work instead of making theories on where everything is. If I want to fight I want to know the ship and Star Control has that. Even for 1999 the game can still be fun, the war, action surprise.

The Bad
I thought some of the music was boring...........but that was before Star Control 2 so I understand. Also I thought the Star map was a little confusing, I would have want it flat kinda like Star Con 2. Other than that I think the game is fun, I would like to see a new 3d remake soon.

The Bottom Line
If you like action and war, and a bit of scifi get this game, download it or just get it from your friend. If your not one of those people who say "ewwwww an old dinosaur game with blocky graphics" then get this game soon.

DOS · by Aj Hege (5) · 1999

It's easy but it's fun. Two player games are memorable.

The Good
It has a cool sci-fi atmosphere (the great manual helps)

Only four different ships per side in this version but still adds replay value.

Supports 2 player hot-seat.

Lets you choose to focus on battles, management or both.

One of the best loading schemes I've seen (important if you play in a real spectrum )

The Bad
AI is not very smart even in hardest setting and when you master the battles, you will hardly lose a fight even vs better ships

The Bottom Line
Graphics are ok, the intro screen and battle intros are colorful and well-drawn. The ships are monochrome and make a bit of color-clash with the stars, but nothing serious. I wish it had bigger and more detailed ships, but maybe the spectrum doesn't allow more than what it's in the game.

The sound is functional. It lacks music but there is a lot of beeps and bops when you move the cursor in the strategic map or in the battle part when a ship fires, when laser or missile hits and so.

The one player game is nice to play if you try not to think how easy it's to win. If you have a minimum experience with shoot'em ups it will be no challenge to win every fight. And in the strategic plane I was never pushed or something like that.

Where this game shines is in two player game. When your opponent fights you back, and it's battled for every world. Alliance players may have the high ground, because in my opinion, their ships are better. Anyways, you can take it just like in chess. I must say though, that hierarchy ships are much funnier to play with.

ZX Spectrum · by Emlyn Hughes (14) · 2009

[ View all 9 player reviews ]

Trivia

Inspiration

The "special thanks" in the manual list off an equally large number of sci-fi authors whose work in some way influenced the game. It's fairly rare for game designers to be so rigorous in documenting their inspirations.

References

The vast majority of captain names in the game were taken from various famous and semi-famous sci-fi sources. (far too many to list here. For example, there's a Syreen Captain Alia (from Dune) and an Earth Captain Pike (from Star Trek))

Title

From almost the very beginning of his video game design career, Paul Reiche III has revisited the theme of pitting varied teams of carefully balanced but widely varied opponents against each other, first in 1983's Archon and most recently in 1998's The Unholy War (and its Japanese analogue, Little Witching Mischiefs).

Star Control also falls in the middle of this chain, and its heritage is plainly spelled out phonetically in its abbreviation:

__Archon Star_Con

Awards

  • Computer Gaming World
    • November 1996 (15th anniversary issue) – #127 in the “150 Best Games of All Time” list

Information also contributed by Pseudo_Intellectual

Analytics

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Related Games

Star Control Collection
Released 1994 on DOS, 2011 on Windows, 2012 on Macintosh
Star Control: Origins
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Star Control II
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Star Control 3
Released 1996 on DOS, 1998 on Macintosh, Windows
Star Control: Origins - Reinforcements
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Star Control: Origins - Earth Rising
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Related Sites +

  • ComSim Central
    Info on getting the game, and lots of scenarios for the full game.
  • The Dot Eaters
    The Dot Eaters: Videogame History 101 An extensive history of videogames, including computer games and the work of Paul Reiche and Freefall Associates.
  • The Pages of Now and Forever
    This site could perhaps be called the heart of the Star Control fan movement on the 'net.

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 205
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Tomer Gabel.

Genesis added by PCGamer77. ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC added by Martin Smith. Commodore 64, Amiga added by Servo.

Additional contributors: Ben Voynick, RmM, Ummagumma, WizardX, Ricky Derocher, Patrick Bregger.

Game added August 11, 1999. Last modified February 13, 2024.