Starfleet Command 3 is the 3rd title in the award winning, and forever popular, Starfleet Command series. Starfleet Command is a game series, which allows you to take control of a starship, and engage in combat and exploration along a 2-D arena, which can include many different environments.
The main thing that sets Starfleet Command 3 away from its prequels is the era: this game is set in the TNG era. The original Starfleet Command’s were always set in the TMP era, but after a long gap between the second installment and the third provided ample opportunity to move on into the TNG era.
One of the major differences between this game, and its predecessors was the introduction of warp drive. Warp drive added a whole new dynamic to gameplay, and allowed players to develop new and interesting strategies to outwit their opponents. Compared to previous games, where ships only traveled at impulse speeds.
Another key feature that is of note, is the ability to customize your ship. There are so many customization features, that end up giving you the ability to make thousands of variations, including different weapons systems, more advanced shields, sensors, computer systems, and engines. This new customization system, adds a new dynamic to SFC3 as players can mold a ship of their choosing, to their play style.
As mentioned previously, there are three key campaigns: Klingon, Romulan and Federation. Each with their own interesting story, whilst also creating a new arc within the larger story – allowing you to experience the events of one large event, from multiple different angles.
The story itself takes place sometime after Voyagers return, it is unsure when this story takes place, but it was designed to tie in to the events of the – at the time – upcoming film Star Trek: Nemesis.
Whilst the campaigns are designed to be run in sequence, it isn’t necessary to complete them in order to get the full story. I personally always loved the Federation campaign – I was always immersed into the story, and being able to interact and play alongside the Enterprise and Captain Picard also gave me the shivers.
During this period in history, the Federation and Klingon Empire have an extremely strong relationship, and have now began working on a joint Starbase, called Unity. This Starbase has the ability to detect cloaked ships, far into the Romulan Neutral Zone, thus negating the one advantage the Romulans always held against their Federation opponents: the cloaking device.
The story follows a progression where the Romulans are doing what they do best, to prevent the Starbase and the alliance, from continuing its development. Whilst I would like to tell you more about the story, I wouldn't want to deprive those who are wanting to play it, the satisfaction of finding out for themselves.
“ SOMETIMES, THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE PEACE, IS TO WAGE WAR ”
- SFC3 BACK COVER
Whilst we don’t have very regular matches of Starfleet Command 3, it still does get occasional interest from a few members who own the game, and thus we have the a mess around every now and then, as well as trying out roleplaying within the game.
Roleplay is a key part of what makes Reserves, as all the games, including SFC3, provide a very large scope for roleplay’s. Starfleet Command 3 adds a new dynamic to roleplays, as it’s one of the few games that allows you to warp throughout a system, and change alert status at will – this definitely makes the experience more varied, and thus more fun.
One major downside to SFC3, that prevents regular matches from occurring is the fact that only 6 players can play with one another at any given time, this prevents us all from interacting and having large scale events.
If you were a fan of the original Starfleet Command’s, and never got around to actually playing or getting SFC3, then it is definitely worth the buy!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING A GAME OF SFC3, OR GENERALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GAME AND WHAT STARFLEET RESERVES DOES, CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW
STARFLEET RESERVES
STARFLEET RESERVES FORUM
WRITTEN BY ADSTER94
EDITED BY TORINTH - STEPHEN.HALL@UFPLANETS.COM
