A free to play Star Trek MMORPG
Star Trek Online is a free to play sci-fi Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing game. Peace in the galaxy has broken down, with the Borg, Romulans and Klingons all fighting against the Federation once more. This is an action packed game, full of combat on foot and in space. Great fun for Star Trek and role playing fans alike.
Getting Started
Like most MMORPGs, you begin by signing up and then creating a character. There are all the species you’ll know from the Star Trek universe, and you can change all the various physical attributes of your character to get just the player you want. You’re immediately assigned to a Starship in the midst of a crisis, and it’s here the excellent tutorial missions begin. The tutorial is extensive, exciting and totally accessible for new players – probably the best MMORPG tutorial I’ve played.
Gameplay
There are two basic parts to the gameplay in Star Trek Online. There’s on foot combat, on planet surfaces or in ships, and then there is space combat. The space combat is especially pleasing, as it relies much more on skill than fighting in many MMORPGS. You have to maneuver around enemy ships, aiming at their damaged points, while protecting your own shields. Battles can be quite long and nerve wracking, but very satisfying. Combat on foot isn’t as impressive, but is perfectly acceptable.
Captain your own Starship
Progression is made by talking to superiors and taking on missions. Characters aren’t particularly memorable, but the world feels like Star Trek, and despite some repetitive in mission styles fans will forgive that just because they are captaining their own Starship and crew. That doesn’t get old, and the promise of better, bigger ships will keep you forging ahead in the game. There are premium aspects for players who want more, faster, but there is a lot to enjoy here for the free player too.
Star Trek Online is an excellent free to play MMORPG. Production values are high, the combat and progression are satisfying, and it really feels like a populated, living universe full of adventure to get into.
