Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force
By Mike Vande Ven Jr.
http://homepage.mac.com/giantmike/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturer: Aspyr
Price: $29.95 (Download a Demo here.)
System Requirements:
G3 or G4 at 266 MHz or faster
64 MB of RAM (with Virtual Memory set to 128 MB)
3D Accelerator with at least 6MB of Video RAM
OpenGL 1.1.2 or higher
560 MB of hard drive space
MacOS 8.6 or higher
4x CD-ROM
|
|
Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force brings you to the set of Voyager. With actual cast voice overs, excellent graphics , and a real Voyager to explore, you will feel like you are really on the show. Even if you aren't a fan of First Person Shooters, but are a fan of the Star Trek series, this game will be perfect for you.
Installation:
Installation went off well, with one minor problem. After going through the 5-6 minute installation process (which is just like any other installation on the Mac), I was surprised to find the game wouldn't start up. One of the libraries it installed (the Bink Video Library) was put into the Elite Force folder. To make it work, I had to place that library in the Extensions folder (no restart needed). After that, everything worked great.
Usage:
Welcome Ensign Monro. You are the new second in command of a special hazard team aboard Voyager. You will tackle difficult tasks, make first contacts, and use your diplomatic/combat skills on special missions that are critical to the survival of Voyager and its crew. You and your fellow team members are the Elite Force of Voyager, let's begin your game play briefing.
When you launch the game, you will be brought into the "LCARS" system. This is the main interface of the game, where configuration, loading/saving, viewing of crew profiles, and more is done. Any Star Trek fan will quickly realize this look; the curved lines and controls are the signature of a Starfleet vessel's computer. Complete with moving stuff, blinking objects, and the purple and yellow color scheme, you are already beginning to think you are on Voyager.
When you first start up the game, you will want to configure it to your liking. From video settings, to sound settings, to key and button assignments, it's all here. You can make it so you get the most frames per second on the planet, or so you have a visually stunning adventure. And the keys aren't as numerous as many other First Person Shooter type games, so setting and remembering them is a much easier chore.
The graphics in this game are just amazing. The artists really took their time, and paid attention to detail. In fact, if you shoot the wall, you will see a burnt spot. If you shoot an enemy, you will see them disintegrate (depending on the weapon). Voyager's crew looks like who they are supposed to be, and the Borg are as scary as ever. This all combines to bring you into the action, instead of thinking of it as a computer game.
Plus, the cut scenes for this game are just tremendous. In the ships, it uses the same graphics engine as when you are playing. Outside of the ship, the scenes were actually shot on the Voyager set, so they look great. And for once, a First Person Shooter really does have a storyline, and a great one at that. You know what your objectives (missions) are, and if you pay attention to the cut scenes, you will have a greater appreciation for what is going on, as well as what you need to accomplish.
However, if all you had were the graphics, you wouldn't get the feel of really being on a starship. The sounds play an integral part in making this a complete Star Trek experience. Weapons sound like the TV counterparts, Voyager's crew's voices are done by the actual actors/actresses, and the environmental sounds just feel right. From the soft hum of Voyager, to the mechanical sounds of a Borg ship, the sounds of this game are stunning.
All this is fine and dandy, but what about actually playing it. Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force is based off the Quake III engine. That means that your standard First Person Shooter rules apply. You have your weapon out in front of you, and you must look around and shoot. You gather other weapons and items by moving over them, and use control panels and other things with a standard use key. Luckily, the way they made the storyline, a first person shooter genre really fits this game perfectly.
So, what kind of cool weapons can you use? Well, everything from the phaser, infinity modulator (for taking out the Borg), to arc welders can be used. Each weapon has is pluses and minuses, and each one has a special ability. The only downside to these weapons is that only two are really from the Star Trek series. Those being the Phaser and Phaser Rifle. It would have been awesome if you could also use Klingon/Romulan distrupters and other classic Trek weapons.
To aid you in your journey, you can pick up and use many other special items as well. Portable medical kits, personal force fields, and body armor are just a few of these items. Plus things like hypersprays and control panels can be used to heal you or recharge your weapons. You can even use certain control panels on Voyager or the alien ships to do all sorts of special tasks.
And what kind of enemies are you going to encounter to use these weapons and items in battle? You will come across Klingons, Hirogens, Etherians, The Borg, and more. Each type of enemy has it own personality. Klingons are immensely strong, and will take it to you. While the Borg will not harm you until you become a threat (just like in the TV show). Plus, each one will kill you in different ways, including the Borg trying to assimilate you! In my humble opinion, every Trekies dream is to fight to Borg, and you will get the chance to do just that.
Before you go into the brink you will need to train your skills. What better way to do this than to use the holodeck (complete with safeties)? Before you go on new missions with new weapons in your arsenal, you have the chance to enter the holodeck in the Wild West era, the age of Camelot, and more. I just with you could create your own holodeck simulations (Captain Proton ring a bell?).
Finally, what game today would be complete without a multiplayer mode? This game does a great job of this too. You can choose between deathmatch, capture the flag, or team deathmatch. Dozens of different maps (holodeck simulations) are included, and more can be downloaded peer-to-peer if need be. This game uses TCP for its multiplayer mode, which means you can play against Mac or PC users, on a LAN, the Internet, and even GameRanger. You will never be at a loss to find an open game.
But the greatest thing that one can do in multiplayer mode isn't explore all new worlds or get cool weapons, but rather you can choose what race you want to be. From human, to Klingon, to Hirogen, to even a Borg drone. Never before have all these races fought in the same arena. If you are playing online, look for me. I'm the drone known as Giant. Your collective distinctiveness will be added to our own!
Problems:
Other than the small installation glitch, I did not experience any other problems.
Conclusion:
Star Trek fans and First Person Shooter fans will love this game. If you don't fall into either category, you really won't enjoy it. However, this is the best Star Trek simulation I have seen to date. Bringing you into the Voyager crew, you cannot beat this game for it's Star Trek reality.
|
Pros: | Cons: |
|
Awesome Graphics
Cut scenes are great
A real, intriguing plot
Puts you into Voyager Crew
Very cool weapons and aliens
You get to do everything you wanted to do in a Star Trek game
Actual Holodeck simulations
Voyager crew sounds and looks like their TV counterparts
Great multiplayer via GameRanger
Alien ships really feel alien
YOU GET TO FIGHT THE BORG!!!
|
Somewhat short single player mode
Not all weapons are really from Star Trek
Long level loading times
|
Rating: 10 out of 10 Mac Faces.
 |
Check eBay daily for the newest Mac stuff! Including new and old systems, software, hardrives, CD-RW's, T-Shirts and more..www.ebay.com |
 |
Get free shipping at ClubMac on orders over $99 until June 30th! www.clubmac.com |
 |
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance. Upgrade factory-direct today with Crucial Technology.www.crucial.com |
|
|
|
|
MacSurfer Headlines
