Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 296 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
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You are the captainFree Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters® is a classic space game that captures the charm of retro science-fiction, space combat, and high adventure. Your story begins as the captain of the last human starship, with Earth trapped under a hostile forcefield. You are the last hope for humanity in a fight for control of the galaxy, as you explore thousands of unknown worlds and get dozens o…

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  • PC
  • Windows
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Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 296 reviews
story56 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • A unique and engaging story with memorable characters and humor that stands the test of time.
  • The game features a vast universe to explore, filled with diverse alien races and rich lore.
  • It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in classic gaming.
  • The game lacks modern conveniences like a quest log or map markers, requiring players to take extensive notes.
  • Combat can be frustrating and unbalanced, with some ships being significantly stronger than others.
  • The graphics and interface feel dated, which may deter new players unfamiliar with older game design.
  • story96 mentions

    The game's story is widely praised for its epic narrative, rich character development, and engaging humor, making it a standout in the space exploration genre. Players appreciate the intricate world-building and the unique interactions with diverse alien races, though some note the lack of a quest log can make tracking progress challenging. Overall, the storytelling is considered a masterclass in gaming, influencing many modern titles and providing a compelling experience that encourages exploration and discovery.

    • “The story is epic and funny, full of memorable moments and lingering mystery.”
    • “Compelling story, great characters, well-written dialogue, and gameplay that will keep you entertained for many hours are part of this masterful package that I enjoyed coming back to after all these years.”
    • “This game has it all: great writing, gripping story that you uncover yourself, alien biodiversity, lovely 90s art, and a bangin' soundtrack.”
    • “There is no journal or quest log; the player must keep track of any interesting or useful information they discover in the story.”
    • “There's a difficult learning curve for those who haven't experienced playing 90's games due to there being no quest log or map markers, so make sure to write down the names of planetary systems that are heard in conversations; otherwise, you could miss an important clue as to continuing that particular part of the story.”
    • “While there may be parts of this game that might be unfamiliar to modern sensibilities, for instance, it expects you to keep notes and will not provide quest markers or a quest log, I think overall it holds up as a fantastically well-crafted game if you are willing to engage with it on its terms.”
  • music55 mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers calling it legendary and one of the best soundtracks of all time. Players appreciate the variety of audio options, including remixed tracks and distinct themes for each alien race, which enhance the game's atmosphere and storytelling. While some voice acting is criticized, the overall musical composition and its ability to evoke emotions remain a high point, contributing significantly to the game's enduring appeal.

    • “The music in this game is so great that I have had one of those tracks as my phone's ringtone for over a decade.”
    • “The vibrant colors and detailed sprite work bring the galaxy to life, while the atmospheric music sets the perfect tone for your interstellar adventures.”
    • “The ur-Quan Masters is the classic sci-fi adventure/RPG, packed with exploration, humor, an epic story, and phenomenal music.”
    • “The music is still a high point, but the voice acting feels unprofessional and painful to listen to at some points.”
    • “The music is on the SC2 SourceForge, and I don't know about the FMV cutscenes, to be honest they kind of look bad.”
    • “30 years later and the hyperspace song still lives rent-free in my head.”
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as simple yet addictive, featuring unique characters and an immersive setting that enhances the experience. While some mechanics may feel dated and the game lacks hand-holding, it offers a compelling narrative, engaging combat, and a satisfying gameplay loop that has stood the test of time. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor, exploration, and resource management, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

    • “The gameplay is simple yet addictive, the characters you meet and interact with are all unique and hilarious in their own ways, and the setting just really draws you in.”
    • “Compelling story, great character, well-written dialogue, and gameplay that will keep you entertained for many hours are part of this masterful package that I enjoyed coming back to after all these years.”
    • “It is ridiculously immersive in its worldbuilding and gameplay; the battles are incredibly rewarding and do require some skill, and the universe is humongous.”
    • “The overall structure of resource gathering and management ought to hold up to anyone's tastes today, but the actual action-arcade ship gameplay is definitely a relic of the 90s.”
    • “It's also not exactly pretty circa 2024, the basic travel gameplay can be a mess, and it's easy to get bogged down early on.”
    • “In terms of mechanics, I'm sure it can feel pretty dated and can take a little getting used to with the controller.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its uniqueness and memorability, featuring hilarious characters, witty dialogues, and a blend of dark and juvenile jokes that resonate even decades later. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to combine humor with engaging storytelling and gameplay, making it a standout in the sci-fi genre and a significant influence on later titles like Mass Effect. Overall, the writing and comedic elements contribute to an epic and entertaining adventure across the galaxy.

    • “The humor is excellent.”
    • “Hilarious and poignant writing, excellent voice acting, very fun gameplay.”
    • “This game is an amazing mix of story, humor and arcade action.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated and primitive by modern standards, often described as a "riot of different colored pixels" that reflect its early generation origins. While some players appreciate the retro pixel art style and charm, others find the low-quality visuals challenging to overlook. Despite these graphical shortcomings, many reviewers emphasize that the engaging gameplay and rich story compensate for the visual limitations, especially with community enhancements available for a more polished experience.

    • “The game obviously shows its age in the graphical department, but that shouldn't count against it, because in every other respect it has aged remarkably well.”
    • “Visually, Star Control 2 may show its age, but its retro pixel art style has a charm that endures.”
    • “This release has a variety of graphics, scaling, scanline, audio, and other options.”
    • “It is simply ridiculous to be playing a game of such low graphic quality in this day and age.”
    • “I get that this is an early generation game and that the graphics are primitive by today's standards, but I couldn't even make out what was being shown to me beyond a riot of different colored pixels.”
    • “Yes, the graphics are dated and there are many of the sometimes inconvenient hallmarks of 90s games such as a separate starmap and a hintbook, but it is all perfect.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its intriguing story, vibrant colors, and detailed sprite work that vividly brings the galaxy to life. The atmospheric music complements the gameplay, creating an engaging and immersive experience that resonates with players. Overall, the love and effort put into the project contribute significantly to its captivating ambiance.

    • “The vibrant colors and detailed sprite work bring the galaxy to life, while the atmospheric music sets the perfect tone for your interstellar adventures.”
    • “It's a game with so much atmosphere, I really can't gush about this old relic enough.”
    • “The gameplay is classic, the story and dialogue fun as hell, the music awesome, the atmosphere is a vibe, as the kids say.”
    • “There was an attempt at a sequel, there was an attempt at a remake (both by other parties), but in my opinion, nothing beats the atmosphere and love that Fred and Paul poured into this project.”
    • “It's a game with so much atmosphere; I really can't gush about this old relic enough.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Grinding in the game is necessary and can feel tedious, as players must engage in methodical exploration and resource gathering with minimal assistance. However, this process also offers valuable learning experiences about game mechanics and environments, making it both challenging and potentially enjoyable for those who appreciate a more punishing gameplay style.

    • “There is grinding required, there is memory required, and you will be assisted by the game in almost none of these endeavors.”
    • “The methodical strip mining of the galaxy is a bit on the tedious side, but challenging (punishing) enough that enjoyment can be had (you masochist).”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight that the game offers solid replayability, especially when enhanced with the megamod mod pack, which introduces additional difficulty settings and HD visuals. However, the base version of the game is also considered enjoyable and replayable on its own.

    • “I highly recommend playing with the Megamod mod pack, which offers extra options for difficulty, HD graphics, and additional replayability features. However, the base version of the game available here is also enjoyable.”
    • “The variety of choices and paths in the game makes each playthrough feel unique, encouraging me to dive back in for more.”
    • “With multiple endings and character builds, the game offers endless possibilities that keep me coming back for another round.”
    • “The base game lacks sufficient content to encourage multiple playthroughs, making it feel repetitive after the first run.”
    • “Once you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to dive back in, as the side quests feel uninspired and lack depth.”
    • “While the game has potential, the limited variety in gameplay mechanics leads to a quick decline in replay value.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in "Star Control II" is highly praised for its influential design, inspiring numerous franchises with its rich character interactions and diverse alien species. The game's ability to create memorable and engaging characters has set a standard for storytelling in the genre, showcasing the importance of character depth in gameplay.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own unique arcs that make the journey feel personal and engaging.”
    • “The depth of character backstories and their growth over time adds a layer of emotional investment that keeps me coming back for more.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the need for improved turning speed to enhance overall performance in both exploration and combat scenarios, indicating that optimization in this area is crucial for a better gameplay experience.

    • “The optimization options allow for a tailored experience, making gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.”
    • “I appreciate how the game lets you fine-tune settings for better performance on various hardware.”
    • “You need to increase turning speed ASAP to improve performance during both exploration and combat.”
    • “The game suffers from significant frame drops in busy areas, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “Loading times are excessively long, which disrupts the flow of gameplay and immersion.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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