| ★ AMSTRAD CPC ★ GAMESLIST ★ STAR CONTROL (c) ACCOLADE ★ |
Amstrad Action | MegaOcio |
More than 600 years in the future, the universe has become a strange and exciting place. Recent contact has been made with an alien spieces, the first such contact the human race has had. It has been revealed to the leaders of Earth that the Human race had been ignored until this point, simply because it was not considered strong enough to join with the alliance of alien powers that had previously kept law and order throughout the universe. This alliance, however, had itself recently come under threat from the fierce and predatory actions of a group called the Ur-Quan Hierarchy. Now the Alliance has arrived on our doorstep, and they beg for our assistance. Should we help? Star Control is a curious mixture of styles. A comparison with the space/trading classic Elite springs to mind, but it isn't quite as simple as that. Like Elite, this game combines elements of strategy and arcade action, and the two games do share a similar science fiction scenario - but Star Control is by no means a clone. The game is split into three distinct sections: Practice. Melee, and Full Game. In practice, players simply get the chance to aquaint themselves with the mechanics of the arcade section. This is very much like the old Atari coin-op Asteroids, except that the obstacles are not rocks, but well-armed and intelligent alien spacecraft. The confrontation takes place as a one-on-one fight, with control being a matter of rotation and thrusting in the required direction. The Alliance and the Ur-Quan both have four types of craft at their disposal, each having its own distinct handling and weaponry characteristics. In two-player mode, each player controls a different side, Player Two replacing the computer's role as leader of the Ur-Quan Empire.
The second section, Melee, is simply a more involved version of the practice mode, with a selection of both friendly, and enemy craft available. In the Full Game, however, while the arcade section is important, it is overshadowed by the strategic elements. Although a little heavy on plot, the scenario is well thought out, and the player has an impressive range of options available. Your basic strategy is expansion, with the building of installations being essential to the conquest of star clusters. You have to keep an eye on several factors, including fuel, weaponry, recruitment, starbases and more. Graphics are presentable rather than striking, but they do the job. Sound is limited to the odd spot effect, but again it does the trick. In the payability stakes, Star Control is a winner. Arcade fans may be a little disappointed by the shallow nature of that side of the game, but strategy freaks and potential space generals will go absolutely nuts for this one. Frank O'Connor, AA |
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