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Star Control II

Star Control II Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, grinding
79% User Score Based on 147 reviews

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Star Control II Game Cover

About

Star Control II is a single player and multiplayer simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Toys for Bob and was released on October 19, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

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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Star Control II screenshot
Star Control II screenshot
Star Control II screenshot
Star Control II screenshot
Star Control II screenshot
Star Control II screenshot
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79%
Audience ScoreBased on 147 reviews
story11 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Star Control II is a classic game with a rich storyline, engaging gameplay, and memorable humor, making it a nostalgic favorite for many players.
  • The game features a vast universe to explore, with unique alien species and deep lore that enhances the overall experience.
  • Despite its age, the game still holds up well and is considered one of the best in the genre, influencing modern titles like Mass Effect.
  • The DOS version lacks voice acting and other enhancements found in newer ports, which diminishes the overall experience.
  • Gameplay can be tedious, with resource gathering and time limits that may frustrate players unfamiliar with the mechanics.
  • The controls can be clunky and difficult to manage, especially when using a keyboard and mouse instead of a gamepad.
  • story
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is praised for its depth, humor, and engaging dialogue, though some players note that it shows signs of aging and can feel jumbled at times. Many appreciate the rich backstories of alien species and the intergalactic alliance-building aspect, while others criticize the gameplay, suggesting that the narrative alone may not be enough to sustain interest. Overall, the storyline is considered a highlight, with a mix of exploration and character development that resonates with fans of classic storytelling in games.

    • “The story is deep and detailed, the gameplay is fun, the combat system is simple and interesting at the same time.”
    • “The maps and boards change with the story, fun trying to build an intergalactic alliance to defeat the ur-quan.”
    • “Amazing storyline”
    • “Sadly, it aged like a plate of curd and feels like a game for story fans only.”
    • “Does the story in Star Control II feel like a cheap imitation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?”
    • “Minus an alluring storyline and multiple outcomes of a vast galaxy when compared to the second, I keep that game for backup.”
  • graphics
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game reflect a mid-late 90s aesthetic, characterized by a dark color palette and skeuomorphic UI, which some players appreciate for its nostalgic value. While the original graphics may seem dated, enhanced versions offer updated visuals and customization options, allowing players to choose between classic and modern styles. Overall, opinions vary, with some praising the charm of the pixel art and voice acting, while others find the graphics lacking by today's standards.

    • “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. I believe this treatment really makes the game hold up very well for a 25-year-old game.”
    • “Soundtrack and graphics were revolutionary at the time, and are still not bad.”
    • “All in the aesthetics of mid-late 90's art direction: dark and low-key color palette, skeuomorphic UI that doesn't shy away from real-world materials, no cartoony characters.”
    • “First of all, the graphic translations are barely legible; second, there's no mouse support or instructions.”
    • “Graphics are bad, but it's to be expected.”
  • music
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic value and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with each alien species having its own memorable theme. While some reviewers note that the music may feel primitive by today's standards, many appreciate its charm and the way it complements the game's storytelling and exploration. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, evoking fond memories for players who enjoyed the game during its original release.

    • “The musical tracks for each alien species bring back a lot of good memories.”
    • “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!”
    • “Warning, this is missing some music due to some rights problem.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue and unique blend of comedic elements with deeper emotional themes, reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures. Players appreciate the witty interactions and the charm of the alien characters, which contribute to a rich and engaging narrative. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature that enhances the game's storytelling and player experience.

    • “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
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the simple yet satisfying mechanics and immersive elements, while others criticize it for lacking strategic depth and feeling bloated with unnecessary features. Many users noted that the gameplay can become monotonous, especially towards the end, where dialogue and backstory take precedence over engaging mechanics. Overall, while the game offers an interesting premise and innovative graphics for its time, the execution of gameplay has left some players disappointed.

    • “I would say that the gameplay loop is simple yet satisfying, although it can grow to be a bit boring at times.”
    • “Glad to see that the 3rd game and the more modern origins version has 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.”
    • “There's no strategy elements now, it's all been cut in favor of a plot, negotiations with other races, etc. I mean it's all pretty cool on paper, but once you get your hands on the controls, you can't help but feel all the unnecessary bloat that comes with this type of gameplay.”
    • “It's not a game, it's a mechanical traversal from A to B, a downtime, and that's kinda it.”
    • “The last 5% of the game consists of dialogue/backstory, which is admittedly interesting; however, not enough to make me want to suffer through the absolutely horrid gameplay.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly during the mid-game when mining for supplies becomes repetitive. However, the engaging climax helps to alleviate some of the frustration associated with this grind.

    • “Second, there's a lot of grinding, in my opinion.”
    • “The middle section involves tedious mining for supplies, but the movement towards the climax makes you forget.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 storytelling. Players appreciate the balance of humor and poignant moments, highlighting the skill of the writers in creating a rich, immersive universe that resonates emotionally.

    • “There are lots of aliens to meet, each one unique and interesting, brought to life with fun pixel art. In the version I played, there was voice acting, which I think adds a lot to the experience. A bit campy on some of them, sure, but that adds to the charm. Shout-out to the voice actor who portrayed the Yehat for being able to convey a range of emotional beats with just his voice, since the visuals can't reflect the scenes he describes.”
    • “Very few game writers can craft a universe this deep, and fewer still can do so while balancing both gut-busting humor and intense emotional moments.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Star Control II is a simulation game with science fiction theme.

Star Control II is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, Linux and others.

Star Control II was released on October 19, 2017.

Star Control II was developed by Toys for Bob.

Star Control II has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Star Control II is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Star Control: Origins, Star Control 3, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, Wasteland, Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders and others.