Divided Galaxies

GRAPHICS

Strangely enough it is probably the first images which look the most impressive. Loading screens display high resolution 3D images of starships. After these visuals gamers will then be treated to the interface. For those who have played Uncommon Valour it will look eerily familiar but once the action starts it is a lot simpler.

Firstly there is on screen advice explaining exactly what the gamer should do next, whether it is to choose a research area, set a starship a mission, or select an artefact.

A sleek 3D ship will move around to each new destination on an appropriate black background littered with stars. As the starship navigates, so a purple dotted line trails to give the gamer an idea as to where the starship is heading (although strictly speaking the gamer should know since it is up to them to decide).

In addition to the heavy explosions which take place, when opening up fire on other ships there are also various statistical displays for gamers to witness. Those interested in the financial side of things can look at a finance report to find out where the cash is going and the money that can be used from day to day, whereas those interested in the make up of the crew can see the percentages of engineers, security and navy in the crew.

For those familiar with other Starships titles the visuals are notably improved and in terms of navigation there is little to worry about. Even if the interface seems daunting initially, a simple roll over of the mouse will explain the function of each button.

17/20

SOUND

Sound effects and music have little impact on the outcome of the game, serving as background music rather than a useful tool. The music is pleasant with a spacey feel, while the explosions sound as realistic as one would assume a spaceship firing would sound. The only particularly useful sound effect is that of the alert beep which takes place every time a new event takes place. Once the alert kicks in gamers know that an event is ready to take place, such as setting a starship a specific assignment or completing more research.

15/20

GAMEPLAY

The initial concept is fairly basic yet the gameplay is both rich in both depth and enjoyment. You have just completed the building of your first interstellar spaceship, and are now ready to explore the stars around you. Gamers must explore stars and locate all the other stars in order to advance. If gamers are to find stars they must take the correct steps in a logical order.

Firstly it is important to select a research path. There is a wealth of material to research, whether it is lasers, ram, freights, or various other things. To research an item takes months rather than weeks, but thankfully the games speed is fairly fast as gamers have the option to play on 1X, 5X or 10X. Once the research has been successfully completed they can research more advanced technology until they are confident enough to explore different areas within the galaxy. Of course it would be silly to just explore and not upgrade so as a general rule games are advised to upgrade regularly.

When an area is being explored there is a high chance that gamers can earn an artefact. Artefacts are particularly important as they either give the gamer a special ability or it is essential to have the artefact before they can progress any further. Obtaining an artefact sounds simple, but sadly there is at least one sentry guarding it, forcing the gamer to battle it out for possession. Should all go to plan the gamer will be in possession of a new artefact, however if things go badly they will need to produce a new ship. It is important to tinker with the different settings as various weapons will perform better in different situations. Gamers have the option of either AI managed combat or to alter the settings manually. The advantage of AI combat managing is that the game progresses much faster, but the advantage of manual combat is that gamers can make those all important decisions themselves such as whether to use a shield, armour, or combination of the two in order to protect their starship.

Usually the more advanced a starship the more chance it has of surviving and winning battles. This is not strictly true in Starships Unlimited as less powerful ships with a lot of experience can sometimes perform better than large powerful ships simply down to performance, this shows that there is a lot of emphasis on experience rather than brute force. Another interesting emphasis is that on the individual rather than the colony. Whereas most space games encourage massive colonies, Starships Unlimited only believes in building a colony when there is enough money available meaning hours can pass before the gamer even attempts to build a colony, and even when this does happen there is the emphasis on select ships playing a predominant part in the mission.

AI is of a high standard, just like the gamers characters, computer-controlled characters can spy and steal artefacts leading to a competitive and frustration battle if certain starships persistently steal artefacts. If there are two battles taking place at one time, the screen will cleverly switch back between the two to inform gamers of the latest action. Gamers have various options at the start of the game to make the experience customisable such as the choice of what to call ships, whether it is animal names, nations, names of birds or something else.

Starships Unlimited is an enjoyable game for those who enjoy playing in futuristic environments, although even those that do not will be able to appreciate how easy it is to pick up even for a first time gamer. For gamers who are not particularly fond of researching or battling there is always the chance to become a diplomat for the day. Gamers communicate with other crews, whether it is to declare war, trade goods or form an alliance. Although this is a brilliant idea there is a restriction of just one alliance at a time meaning alliances do not always last as long as hoped.

Generally speaking this is a game that will please fans of space games but those who are not will pass it off as just another space game, not even having the inclination to play - if only they knew what they were missing...

20/25

LIFESPAN

Starships Unlimited is not going to last a weekend, a few nights, a week, or even a month. This is a game which will keep you going for a long, long time. There are so many hours of gameplay due to the large amount of possibilities. Gamers could play up to 60 hours per game and after one game has taken place settings can be altered and a whole new game can ensue. The only criticism is no multi-player option but with AI at an all time high, is it really needed?

23/25

ORIGINALITY

There are few games exactly the same as this, admittedly there have been other games based in space (Star Trek: Elite Force), similar games to this (Master of Orion), and indeed games that prove to be both challenging and rewarding. This is not the most original of concepts but the way in which a complex game can be easily picked up just through playing will no doubt impress gamers that have been looking for a space sim but just haven't had the heart to plough through 64 pages of PDF or instruction manual.

6/10

OVERALL

Easy to navigate, easy to pick up and enjoyable to play! For Star Trek fans or those with a vague interest in space this is a must have. Gamer's unsure about a space simulation would be advised to play before purchasing but certainly do not pass up the opportunity to experience this gem, just make sure you have a lot of free time on your hand because you'll need it!

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