Star Control 3

50%
Game Brain Score Based on 33 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Star Control 3 Game Cover
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In "Star Control 3," players continue their galactic journey, forging alliances, and battling hostile extraterrestrial beings. This installment introduces new races, enhanced ship customization, and a complex, engaging narrative that bridges the gap between the first two games in the series. The game features strategic turn-based combat and diplomacy, inviting players to explore, discover, and shape the future of the interstellar community.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

50%
Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews
story6 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original series, with humorous writing and unique character interactions.
  • The hyper melee mode is praised for its tactical depth and engaging ship combat, making it a highlight of the game.
  • Despite its flaws, the game provides a relaxing and non-demanding gameplay experience, suitable for short play sessions.
  • The game suffers from poor graphics and outdated visuals, which detract from the overall experience compared to its predecessor, Star Control II.
  • Many players find the gameplay mechanics confusing and the story progression vague, leading to frustration and a lack of direction.
  • The combat system is criticized for being unbalanced and the AI for being inadequate, resulting in tedious battles.
  • story26 mentions

    The game's story, while not considered canon by its original creators, is described as quirky, imaginative, and engaging, with a mix of exploration, resource management, and character interactions that keep players invested. Players appreciate the depth of certain narratives, particularly the tragic backstory of the ur-quan, though some criticize the game's rough execution and pacing, which can hinder progression. Overall, the plot offers a blend of humor and thought-provoking elements, contrasting with the simplicity often found in modern games.

    • “The plot itself is entertaining enough and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to find out more.”
    • “Overall, the plot is quirky and quite imaginative, and even thought-provoking at some points; it respects the player's intellect.”
    • “You really get to know the story behind them and why they used to be so mean to other races in the first place.”
    • “It's no secret that the game was released in a rough state, particularly in how it unfolds the storyline and gives you tasks to do.”
    • “Once the story picks up, it will become easier to progress further without a guide, but in SC3 it's not a smooth enough process.”
    • “Completely deviates from the original storyline, rewriting the closing details of the previous game in the first 15 seconds.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to evoke different emotions, ranging from pleasant to threatening. However, many users criticize it for being low quality and lacking the vibrancy of its predecessor, Star Control 2, describing it as muted and unsatisfying. While there are a few standout tracks, the overall consensus leans towards disappointment, particularly in comparison to the previous installment.

    • “The music score is nice and pleasant at some parts, and it can become threatening and disturbing at other parts when needed.”
    • “But, some songs are nice, some puppets are impressive, not all voices are bad, the story is okay, and the gameplay does remind you of Star Control 2's, though more clunky.”
    • “Whereas Star Control 2 was filled with wonder and color, Star Control 3 is a black and gray patience-testing bore, filled with low quality MIDI music and lifeless puppetry along the way.”
    • “Colors, music, and art are all muted and gray, set in a new quadrant devoid of all life.”
    • “Whereas SC2 was filled with wonder and color, SC3 is a black and gray patience-testing bore, filled with low-quality MIDI music and lifeless puppetry along the way.”
    • “The music is inferior to Star Control 2 for sure; it sounds older, and the puppets not only misrepresent the old races, but some have gone too deep into the 'uncanny valley.'”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a relaxed and non-demanding atmosphere, with strategic elements in managing production rates and colonies. Players can easily grasp the mechanics through in-game help or external resources, while the experimental 2.5D combat mode offers a unique twist, albeit with some clunkiness reminiscent of Star Control 2. Overall, the gameplay is simple yet engaging, appealing to those who enjoy a chill gaming experience.

    • “The colony mechanic is fine - there's a little strategy in adjusting the production rates and creating new colonies to essentially create gas stations.”
    • “Simplicity, non-demanding gameplay, and a relaxed, chill atmosphere make it enjoyable.”
    • “They opted for an unusual 2.5D combat mode, and that's just one of many experimental gameplay choices.”
    • “But, some songs are nice, some puppets are impressive, not all voices are bad, the story is okay, and the gameplay does remind you of Star Control 2's, though more clunky.”
    • “Hit F1 on each game screen and read the descriptions on what does what, read up on the manual, or simply look up some YouTube videos to get a grasp on basic mechanics; it helps a lot.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics are characterized as a nostalgic mid-90s style that some users find appealing and underrated, especially when compared to the dull and childish visuals of similar games like Sc:origins. However, there are criticisms regarding the legibility of graphic translations and issues with the timer, suggesting that technical execution may detract from the overall visual experience.

    • “The mid-90's style visuals here are cool and underrated, in my opinion.”
    • “The graphics in this game are vibrant and engaging, creating an immersive experience.”
    • “The art style is unique and adds a lot of character to the game.”
    • “The visuals in Sc:origins are extremely dull and childish in comparison.”
    • “Somehow, it looks worse than a much older game with lower detail graphics.”
    • “First of all, the graphic translations are barely legible; second, the timer is messed up.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its hilarious writing and engaging dialogue across various races, with clever twists that enhance the comedic experience. Players particularly enjoy the comedic elements associated with the orz, contributing to the overall fun atmosphere.

    • “The writing is hilarious, and it's super fun to go through all the dialogue sequences with all races.”
    • “The final precursor twist is funny but very clever.”
    • “At least the Orz are still funny.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while mini-games can be enjoyable initially, they often become repetitive and tedious over time. The shift from land grinding to a colony building system has been criticized as a poor imitation of classic strategy games like Civilization and Master of Orion.

    • “And it's for good, in my opinion, because those mini-games may be fun at first, but later on they become quite repetitive and simply tedious.”
    • “Land grinding has been replaced with a colony building system, which feels like they were trying to poorly copy Civilization games (or maybe Master of Orion?) from the day.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its simplicity and non-demanding gameplay, creating a relaxed and chill environment for players. This inviting ambiance allows for a stress-free gaming experience.

    • “The game offers a relaxed and chill atmosphere, making it perfect for unwinding after a long day.”
    • “With its simplicity and non-demanding gameplay, the atmosphere feels inviting and stress-free.”
    • “The overall vibe of the game creates a soothing environment that enhances the gaming experience.”
    • “The atmosphere feels too simplistic and lacks depth, making the gameplay feel non-demanding and overly relaxed.”
    • “While the game aims for a chill atmosphere, it ultimately falls flat and feels uninspired.”
    • “The overall ambiance is underwhelming, leaving players wanting a more engaging and immersive experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around the establishment of an interstellar network of fueling stations, suggesting a focus on in-game advertising or resource management rather than aggressive monetization strategies.

    • “The monetization strategy feels more like a cash grab than a fair system for players.”
    • “It's frustrating to see that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “The constant barrage of ads and in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment of the game.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized, as it attempts to implement many unique features within a system that struggles to support them effectively.

    • “The developers were ambitious in their design, attempting to implement many unique features in a system that wasn't fully optimized for them.”
    • “The game's optimization allows for smooth gameplay, even with complex mechanics and graphics.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers continuously work on optimization, ensuring that performance improves with each update.”
    • “They were trying to do a lot of unique things at the time in a system that wasn't necessarily optimized to do those things.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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