Star Control II

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In Star Control II, take command of the Vindicator and explore a vast universe filled with diverse alien races, some friendly and others hostile. Upgrade your ship, engage in interstellar warfare, and experience a classic action-adventure game with memorable characters and humor, where your decisions impact the outcome of the game. This influential title in PC gaming history offers a rich and immersive space exploration experience.

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78%

Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews

story11 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Star Control II is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time, praised for its deep story, engaging gameplay, and memorable alien characters.
The game offers a unique blend of exploration, resource management, and strategic combat, providing a nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed it in the past.
Despite its age, the game still holds up well, with many players finding it addictive and enjoyable, often leading to hours of gameplay.

This version lacks the voice acting and some features present in other versions, such as The Ur-Quan Masters, which diminishes the overall experience.
The gameplay can be clunky and difficult to navigate, with a steep learning curve that may deter new players.
Many players recommend seeking out free or enhanced versions of the game instead, as this release is seen as a poor port that does not do justice to the original.

story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
48%
11%
The story in the game is praised for its depth, detail, and engaging backstory, with many players appreciating the rich lore surrounding various alien species and their roles in the conflict. While some critiques mention gameplay issues, the narrative is often highlighted as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, making it a compelling journey through a vibrant galaxy. Players are encouraged to immerse themselves in the story, which is considered a significant draw of the series, despite some reservations about specific titles.
- “The story is deep and detailed, the gameplay is fun, the combat system is simple and interesting at the same time.”
- “The music is exciting and the way they make such simple star systems alive with just a bit of story about different alien species, their ways of life, and their parts in the war, is really neat!”
- “A great story with space travel, resource gathering, fleet building, and making alliances.”
- “Does the story in Star Control II feel like a cheap-ass The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy wannabe?”
- “But oh my friends, the story.”
- “Minus an alluring storyline and multiple outcomes of a vast galaxy when compared to the second, I keep that game for backup.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
63%
16%
The graphics of the game evoke mixed feelings among users, with some appreciating the innovative character designs and pixel art, while others criticize the inconsistency in art styles, particularly in the HD version. Many players enjoy the option to switch between different graphic styles, including the original DOS and enhanced versions, which help the game feel more modern despite its age. Overall, while the graphics may not meet contemporary standards, they are often seen as charming and nostalgic, contributing to the game's enduring appeal.
- “There are lots of aliens to meet, each one unique and interesting and brought to life with fun pixel art. The voice acting adds to the charm, with some characters delivering emotional beats that the visuals can't fully convey.”
- “Upgraded resolution and graphics, new starmap giving much more information, full speech from the 3DO version, and it is completely free.”
- “You can choose to use the updated HD visuals (faithful to the originals!), remixed tracks (also faithful), voice acting, sound outputs, controller setups, levels of resolution, etc. This treatment really makes the game hold up very well for a 25-year-old game.”
- “The graphics are bad, but it's to be expected.”
- “First of all, the graphic translations are barely legible; second, there's no mouse support or instructions.”
- “Though in my opinion, some of the ships look a bit weird in the HD version since a lot of them are in different art styles.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic value and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with each alien species having its own distinct theme. While some reviewers note that the music may feel primitive by today's standards, many still find it enjoyable and evocative of the early 90s techno era. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game's charm, contributing to its memorable storytelling and gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic; I could listen to the hyperspace music for four hours.”
- “The music is exciting, and the way they make such simple star systems alive with just a bit of story about different alien species, their ways of life, and their parts in the war is really neat!”
- “It had a great story, great exploration, great combat, and an amazing soundtrack.”
- “While the music is a bit primitive, it's still as awesome as I remember!”
- “My wife hates the soundtrack, even though I still love it.”
- “If you don't love early 90s techno, then I guess you turn the music off, but each race has its own theme music, and there's some nice tunes in there.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending clever dialogue and unique character interactions that evoke nostalgia for classic adventure games. Players appreciate the balance of gut-busting comedy with deeper emotional moments, showcasing a rich universe filled with quirky aliens and witty writing. Overall, the humor adds charm and depth, making the experience both entertaining and thought-provoking.
- “Very few game writers can craft a universe this deep...and fewer still can do so while still allowing for both gut-busting humor and intense emotional beats.”
- “Star Control II in the dialogue department is just more alive, reminding me of the hilarious dialogues and twists of LucasArts adventures.”
- “But the game has charm; a cute but dreary style shows a universe enslaved by a cruel race, but also reveals its beauty and humor!”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it as "abysmal" and "terrible," particularly in the final stages, while others appreciate its immersive elements and innovative graphics for the time. Despite the flaws, aspects like dramatic events and arcade-style mechanics have been praised, with some noting that newer iterations of the game offer improved gameplay mechanics. Overall, the experience varies significantly depending on the version played, with the DOS version lacking certain features but maintaining core gameplay elements.
- “Glad to see that the third game and the more modern origins version have much better mechanics and fair chances to actually be able to win.”
- “Also fantastic music, simple but immersive gameplay, and dramatic game events are shown clearly through gameplay and diegetic information rather than simply exposited.”
- “For gameplay, you are exploring space, but your objectives are to re-form an alliance to fight the Ur-Quan and their battle thralls.”
- “What is an issue is the absolutely abysmal gameplay.”
- “The last 5% of the game consists of dialogue/backstory, which is admittedly interesting; however, it's not enough to make me want to suffer through the absolutely horrid gameplay.”
- “I can definitely see how the character graphics and some of the 3D animations were innovative for the time, but the gameplay itself is terrible.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players highlight the game’s significant replay value, suggesting that adjusting the DOSBox CPU cycles can enhance the experience on modern systems.
- “Tons of replay value.”
- “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
- “With multiple endings and different character paths, you'll find yourself coming back for more.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game excels in emotional depth, featuring a diverse cast of unique aliens brought to life through charming pixel art and effective voice acting, which enhances the emotional resonance of the narrative. Players appreciate the balance between humor and poignant moments, highlighting the skillful writing that creates a rich and engaging universe.
- “Very few game writers can craft a universe this deep...and fewer still can do so while still allowing for both gut-busting humor and intense emotional beats.”
- “There are lots of aliens to meet, each one unique and interesting and brought to life with fun pixel art. The voice acting adds to the charm, especially the guy who voiced the Yehat, who was able to convey a range of emotional beats with just his voice, since the visuals can't reflect the scenes he describes.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly the tedious mining for supplies, to be a drag in the middle sections. However, the engaging progression towards the climax helps to alleviate some of the monotony.
- “The middle is tedious, mining for supplies, but the movement towards the climax makes you forget.”
- “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the story and characters.”

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