Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force

The Good
Elite Force (EF) is probably the best licensed Star Trek game since 25th Anniversary and Judgement Rites.

You play Ensign Alexander Munro (or Alexandria if you play as a female), second in command of the "Hazard Team" - a newly formed unit onboard Voyager. The game starts out onboard a Borg cube, with you on point while downing Borg left and right. After accidentally blowing up your team, the holodeck appears. It was a training scenario. Thus begins the game, which actually looks like an episode of Voyager. From "Opening Credits" that looks like the TV show to the end credits.

The games graphics look absolutely great. Raven had access to the set, and the blueprints of the sets themselves so they could accurately recreate Voyager. They went as far as taking picture of the carpet to get the color right for textures. Using the Quake III engine and it's ability to create curved surfaces, Raven faithfully created the bridge, shuttlebay, mess hall, and engine room. The alien ships are also rendered true-to life, curved and very fluid looking.

The sound is very impressive. Again using SFX from the show (probably first-generation SFX, the actual effects used in the show, not secondary recordings), it immerses you in the game. Original music by the developers sounds like the background music to an episode.

The controls are standard FPS shooting fare, with the exception of reloading. Since there are no clip weapons (they are all engery weapons), you never have to worry about reloading. Although you need to keep an eye on your energy ammo.

The gameplay is varied. A lot of different logical puzzles are thrown into the game, and some really require you to think about where to go. Cutscenes further along the story much like when are watching an episode of Voyager. And being able to test out new weapons on the holodeck BEFORE going into a game situation is really cool. Especially the personal photon torpedo weapon.)

The Bad
On normal mode, the game is really easy to defeat. I've come to expect a lot more challenge to a FPS (especially after playing games like Return to Wolfenstein and Half-Life) on their respective Normal modes of play. This game just didn't challenge me, it really frustrated me on some levels. One instance is when the harvesters attack and you are killing them off one by one in the corridors. The number is so overwhelming (think of the bugs in the movie "Starship Troopers") it gets frustating when you run out of ammo.

The AI of the crewman that are on your side isn't the best. I can't begin to count how many times a crewman has stepped into my line of fire. And the AI of the enemies is pathetic as well. It seems that any enemy automattically concentrate ALL their attacks on you, even when there are THREE OTHER crewman firing at them? Granted I'm shooting at them, but others are as well.

And I'd have like to see more interactivity with other people. Between "Missions" you are required to go and talk with others in order to get the next part of the story going.

And I like action in the game. Granted your supposed to "be" a Ensign, but there was too much "lag time" between missions.

The Bottom Line
Not quite a must-play FPS, but well worth checking out for the unbelievable job Raven did with re-creating Voyager and the Star Trek look. Argueably the best Star Trek game in years, despite it's flaws.

The Good
This game has everything a good FPS should have: fun gameplay, a nice plot, cool cutscenes, plenty of action, light to moderate puzzles, and good weapons.

The plot is nowhere near the plot of a game like Deus Ex, but it still good nonetheless. The games progresses like a Voyager episode: the crew is faced by some impossible problem, they blame it on the borg, and Janeway inspires the crew to pull through. Despite this, however, the plot is driven along by nice cutscenes with plenty of dialogue.

The game's really outstanding characteristic is its graphics. The Quake 3 engine shines once again, allowing the developers to craft some of best-looking levels ever seen in an FPS. From the shiny, curvy, sterile feel of the Voyager to the dark, ominous, creepy feel of the Borg cube, the game captures the environments featured in the show perfectly.

Another noteable thing about Elite Force is the multiplayer. Simply put, multiplayer is a blast. The weapons are great, the gameplay is fast, and it doesn't rely on heavy gore or excessive violence to make it fun. Sure, the gameplay of multiplayer is a bit derivative of Quake 3 (many of Q3's features remain in EF), it is the excellent weapons that set it apart.

Even if you're not a Star Trek fan, go buy this game. I've never actually liked the shows all that much, but I saw the game used at a local cd shop, so I figured what the heck. I didn't regret it. It's pretty inexpensive now, so you have no excuse not to get it.

The Bad
The game is just too short. I beat it on moderate difficulty about two days after I got it. Despite this, however, I enjoyed it immensely.

Otherwise, there isn't anything else that is wrong with this gem.

The Bottom Line
Even if you're not a Trekkie, get it. You won't regret it.

The Good
The weapons are damn right awesome! Although some have limited capacity, they punch enough firepower for my definite liking! And they have the borg, yipppeeeeeee, on the first round no less, thank god. The holomatch's are also incredibly realistic and are chalanging, but not overly so.

The Bad
Fairly short. Could be a little bit longer. Other than that, lovely jubbly.

The Bottom Line
Hours apon hours of battle fun, a must have for any treky who's into shot 'em ups