Strategy Gaming Online - Reviews : Best and Worst of 1999

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FEATURES

Best and Worst Games of 1999

[Intro]
[Turn-based] [Wargame] [Real Time Strategy] [Expansion] [Multiplayer]
[Storyline] [Audio] [Surprising] [Disappointing] [Innovative] [Graphics]

Most Surprising Game of the Year:
Starfleet Command

One of the most surprising games of the year was Starfleet Command. Sure, we'd been conditioned by a seemingly endless stream of sucky Star Trek adaptations for the computer. It was enough to make someone throw his pointy Vulcan ears in the trash. Now, thanks solely to SFC, we wait impatiently for the sequel. How long has it been since we've heard THAT related to Star Trek? At least 4 movies, 2 TV series and umpteen computer games!

Interplay hit the mark by going back to the first game adaptation of ST and adopting the tried-and-true rules system of Star Fleet Battles. By doing so, they guaranteed an audience of the SFB fans (all of whome were slavering for a computer adaptation), as well as everyone who'd EVER tried SFB but didn't enjoy the slow pace, the counter management and the restrictive 2d hex based system. For balance purposes, they kept the 2d part, but everything else was improved by a huge amount. The graphics (appropriated from Klingon Academy) were 3d-accelerated and beautiful. The sounds, as mentioned above, were outstanding. And for those new to SFB (but usually familiar with computer space combat games) the system was incredibly detailed and moreover, it's FUN. Of course, they benefited from 20 years of SFB playtesting, and they could thus leverage their programming talent to the utmost, developing interesting and challenging missions for solo play and a number of different and entertaining multiplayer formats. A lot of people had pretty low expectations for SFC. Thankfully, Interplay has broken the 'curse' of crappy Star Trek games, and we happily award SFC the Strategy Gaming Online's "Most Surprising Game, 1999". So when's the sequel coming out, guys?

Read the review

Runner up: Roller Coaster Tycoon