Customer Reviews

Star Trek Encounters

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Pros:
- It's cheap.
- Play with different ships from different eras.
- Visuals and sound effects are decent for PS2. Explosions are quite satisfying.
- Provides skirmish (instant action), story, and multiplayer modes.
- A stripped down version of Starfleet Command where you can more easily:
a. fire photon torpoedoes and phasers.
b. drop mines.
c. beam away teams to capture enemy ships.
d. manage energy use between weapons, engines, sensors, etc.
- I was dubious about this game being advertised as an "arcade" version of Starfleet Command. But I think they managed to simplify things sufficiently well so the balance came out right- ie it wasn't like playing a Xevious-like top-down shooter.

Cons:
- Story mode has some very very very very frustrating levels involving flying through rings with a time limit. It must have taken me 2 dozen tries to get through this and it is a miracle my game controller isn't now permanently lodged in my screen.
- Just remember how much you paid for it vs how much work went into developing the game.

I was a little disappointed when I heard that the PS2 exclusive game 'Encounters' was going to be just a shoot-em-up. I was hoping for more of a Trek experiance, but I have to say that it's been enjoyable so far.

The gameplay is a top-down perspective on the battles, with each mission being a chapter in a much larger campaign. Missions include objectives such as destroy all enemy, recon missions, escort and rescue missions. Each campaign takes place in a different Trek era, from 'Enterprise' all the way to 'Voyager' (and the mysterious 'Soverign' campaign). You get a choice of two different weapons, 2 alternate functions (such as tractor beam, mines) and the ability to switch power around, diverting energy from one system to another, such as weapons, shields and engines. All the enemies from each series are present, from the Xindi to the ever-fave Klingons.

As far as graphics go, the effects are pretty but the scenery is bland. Since its a space-battle game only, the locales are pretty much all the same - some changes like nebula fields and debris strewn space mix it up a bit, but the battles and areas get repetitive and for some very tedious. However, once you get past the idea that the whole point of the game is simply space shooting (the story elements are tacked on) it can be pretty fun. The best part still remains the narration by William Shatner, even though he sounds like he's bored out of his mind.

At the budget price it's definitely one to pick up if your a Trekkie waiting for a good, fun Trek game.

Play this game at the start with ONSLAUGHT mode
single player, and score above 500,000 points.
Even though you'll only have the NX-01 Enterprise, it can be done. When it's time to put your name, put in "4jstudios" in lowercase,
all ships and all mission levels will be unlocked, score one more time above 500,000 points, (pick voyager ship, fastest, small, long firing phasers) and when you enter your name a second time put "bethesda" this will give you all the character cards for ship powerups. Then you can play any level and any ship, without having to do the missions, (which some are tough). The secret to this game is to remember to use your L1 and L2 buttons which raise and lower your ship while fighting this makes it harder for enemies to lock on to you while you can lock on to them. Use your phasers to detonate the torpedoes that come at you, collect the "energy"powerups to last longer in battle. You can PLAY CO-OP
with a buddy. Use "4jstudios" and "bethesda" in LOWERCASE, I tried capital letters like the "net" sites show but it doesn't work.
For arcade style action shoot 'em up game with
a star trek theme this is a great game esp using the 2 codes to easily unlock everything
for only $14.99. Sometimes the music gets
irritating so put on a cd of something you like. ("star trek cd with a battle song works well!") This game doesn't have horrible glitches, it runs smoothly, only on a mission or two, was the camera angle a problem and you can manuever your ship a little and then it's ok again. If you can play Super Smash Melee type games etc, then you can play this game. I am a casual ordinary player, and always wanted a fun trek game, and esp with the 2 codes, I am amazed how much fun I'm having with this 2d top down view game, that has a limited 3d by
using the all important L1 & L2 buttons for up
and down. The secret to the chase mission "rings" is to fly using L1 or L2 flying high or low and hitting the rings at 10 o'clock or 2 0'clock positions.

I have to admit, I didn't play the 'Rings' level (which is a training level to help you get used to the controls), but my 10 year-old got through it in 3 tries. Sheesh, kids today...

But what I can tell you is that this game seems to be a lot of fun for the low cost. I think the graphics are nice, but the Shatner narration wasn't necessary if he wasn't going to put any of his normal over-acting into it.

The game-play is...different. Its not that it is difficult, it just takes some time getting used to because the controls are different than any other game I've played. Then again, you are flying through three dimensional space, so it SHOULD be different.

For the price this is a fun game to have in my collection!

Regarding Disc Errors:
Some people here have mentioned about this game giving them disc errors, and then when they get Amazon to send them a replacement, they still get those errors. So let me address that here.

If your older PS2 has problems with playing blue-plastic discs (as our does), all you have to do is put 2 or more strips of scotch tape (one inch strips in length each should be fine) around the inner circle of the disc's logo. Place them parralel to each other (using 2 pieces placed evenly parralel keeps the disc ballanced).

We have tried this on all of our blue-plastic game discs and it has worked every time! Apparently the plastic inner-ring of the blue discs is thinner than the clear discs, which makes it difficult for older PS2s to catch and spin the disc up to proper speed, so you get the Disc Read errors instead. Try it, if it doesn't work you can peel off the tape and return the disc. Good Luck!

For the price, it is definitely worth getting. I'm a fan of Enterprise, so I wish they had more than three levels of it. It is really cool to see all of the ships we have grown to love in Trek appear on screen, especially to see the NX-01 make its video game debut! The game can also be challenging, which is good that it is not too easy. The controls are excellent. The flying controls are so smooth; it really does feel like the ship is flying. Shatner lends his voice at the beginnings of each level, which is pretty cool. Sadly, you can't skip the story if you lose which becomes just a little annoying if you lose a lot. Overall, this is definitely worth having if you have a PS2. For the price, it is really amazing and I'm really looking forward to Star Trek: Legacy on X-Box 360!

I picked up this game on Oct 4th. My first impressions are pretty good. The graphics are good for a PS2 game. The music is very well done and gives you the Star Trek feel. The game spans the 40 years of Star Trek and it includes all the TV shows of Trek. The game is narrated by non other than William Shatner. The episode mode starts off in the Enterprise era where you have to take the ship on training missions before you proceed in the game. The further you go along in the game, the more ships and arenas (ie DS9 backdrop, Jupiter Station scene) from other shows you unlock. There is also a skirmish mode where you can fight one on one with the computer or another player. This is an arcade style shoot em up game which can be challenging at times. I recommend this game for any Trek fan or anyone who like shoot em up games.

Yes, I hate the rings, I hate the races. But it's only really intolerable in one level, "The Chase" in the Voyager section. It's also slow to load.

But other than that, this was a huge bargain for $15! I felt it really captured the spirit of Trek, and I found most of the missions very enjoyable. I've put a lot of hours into the regular "story" levels, and there's still so much replay value with the different types of skirmishes. It's MORE than enough for this 41 year old Trek fan and casual gamer.

That said, if it wasn't Trek, if they weren't Trek ships, I probably would not have enjoyed it nearly as much, and I'm sure I would have walked away after 2 hours of trying to beat "The Chase". Life is short. But I really want to play the Next Gen Movies "Sovereign" class levels, so I kept at it.

If there's a sequel (unlikely), I'll buy it. It's certainly NOT "Starfleet Command", but it just about captures that feeling for me from the comfort of my couch rather than my PC.

One star off of "Fun" for.... "THE CHASE"!!! ugh!

Yes, yes, we have all heard the same thing about this game. The flying through the ring levels are extremely frustrating. I know i have sat through this game and wanted to put my controller through the screen, or even eject the disk and frisbee it out the window, but im glad i didnt. For the price of this game you cant beat it, not to mention that its graphics and simplicity are far better than any of the previous star trek console games. Plus you get play quick skirmish mode and use any ship you want to play as and fight against any enemy you want(mind you that you must unlock them first), which i why i kept playing the game, just to unlock the ships. This game gives you alot for a cheap price. You get to command at least 7 different type of federation starships against 3 different type of alien ships per race. Like the Jem'hadar fighter, cruiser, and battleship. There are also the Romulans, Klingons, Xindu, Cardassians, Kazon, and the Borg, all with 3 ships in there fleet. You also fight against the Orion raiders and team up with Species 8472. You cant beat that for around $20 bucks. So even if flying through rings or scaning for warp trails may seem a little frustrating, but by the time you unlock all the ships, it will be well worth it when you play them in skirmish mode.

I've always enjoyed the STAR TREK shows, and I own all the original series on DVD (only now they're releasing enhanced versions and I have to think about upgrading -- but it probably won't be long before they're on HD DVD or Blu-ray), so I really looked forward to STAR TREK ENCOUNTERS on PS2. The cover looked cool. The game description sounded cool. But that wasn't exactly what was delivered.

Instead of getting a game that would put me squarely in the middle of a Star Trek setting, I ended up with a shooter that really didn't do service to shooter games in general. The controls were clunky, the camera shifts too hard, and I had no real feeling of command at any given point. The timed ring event at the very start of the game took hours to pass, and it had to do more with memorization than with skill -- which isn't how I think a game should be designed. I got so frustrated my wife and I had to take turns running the rings (yes, she beat me!) so I didn't put the game in the circular file.

In addition to the impossible gameplay and the clunky controls, there really wasn't a FEELING of being in Star Trek. The episodes are all about character interaction, of two or more characters involved in doing something that means everything, but following different (not always incorrect) paths to achieve a goal. You get none of that here. STAR TREK ENCOUNTERS is simply a shooter dressed up in Star Trek clothes like the Klingons at Star Trek conventions. It's all wannabe and no real thrill.

On the plus side, some of the graphics look really good, especially the explosions (but there's no sound in space!), you do get to fly all the ships (once you succeed in unlocking them), and the price is about right. I really think you can wait awhile and pick it up at the bargain bin in six months for a lot less.

My advice is, unless you're a diehard fan, to rent or borrow the game to see if you like it.

This game reminds me a lot of the old arcade games I use too play when I was 10 year old (back in the 80's) it's reminds me of good old Asteroid Game from back then. Except the ship & stars are better looking in this game and you have William Shattner telling you the story before you began.

But basically same concept you fly through space blowing up other ships and flying around asteroids. It is not a hard game at all, just takes time to get the controls down. Hint when you have to guard a space station lay all your mines down & move off screen and they will wipe out half your enemies and you'll finish the level more quickly.

This game would have been more fun; when you increase your engine speed kirk would say "I need more powers Scotty" but it doesn't there is No talking during the game just the same SONG over and over and it's not even the star trek theme song so my best tip turn off the volume. It is a very basic game, even boring at some times doing levels over and over to beat the clock, but if you're a star trek fan (and an old arcade player from the 80's) I think you'll enjoy this game for the price!!