Star Trek: Hidden Evil

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.