Review: Star Trek The Video Game

Play as two of the greatest science-fiction heroes ever — Kirk and Spock – in the award-winning STAR TREK, a completely original co-op experience that expands the Star Trek universe even further. Set in the 23rd Century world of the massively popular Star Trek reboot, this cover-based shooter immerses players in a rich, original story…

Pros:

• Detailed character graphics, They look like their movie counterparts.
• All characters are voiced by the actual actors in the film and this really adds authenticity to the game.
• The whole game is playable with co-op. Using a drop in/ drop out method so you will never need to game alone.
• Game is best played with a human co op partner.
• Play as either Spock or Kirk.
• A third person shooter with puzzle elements.
• Use your Tricoder to scan the area and find hidden collectibles, order your AI partner around, pick up a certain weapon, collect new information on systems and enemies. This is also what you need to do to initiate hacking sequences.
• Earn XP from using your Tricoder and level up to unlock new skills.
• Loads of co-op set pieces from opening doors to dual hacking, foot ups to secret routes.
• Set after the first film and before the second film. Travel from New Vulcan to the Gorn Homeworld
• A decent script with some great dialogue between Kirk and Spock.
• Get to shoot the lasers from the USS Enterprise.
• Few epic set pieces that look great.
• Controller layout is simple and familiar.
• Hack enemy turrets and get them to work for you.
• When your down but not out, you can still shoot, crawl to safety and sometimes revive your partner.
• Loads of new guns to find and use. All guns have two types of fire, mostly one for killing and one for stun.
• Has a stealth mechanic that makes the approach to each area different.
• Authentic sound effects of the guns or should I say lasers.
• Good checkpoint system.

Cons:

• Graphical glitches from character collision, enemies getting stuck in the scenery.
• AI partner is stupid and will just stand in front of a turret, Die and just stay there until you revive him. To which he will usually stay there and do it again until you neutralize the turret.
• Camera is a bit wonky and will sometimes seem to have a mind of its own, as it periodically swings in and out of focus.
• Actually shooting is floaty and you never really feel in control.
• Annoying beep that happens on every loading screen and there is quite a few loading screens.
• Despite claims before release saying each character will play different, in the final product they both play exactly the same with the same upgrades etc..
• Had instances where enemies disappeared or the target kill just drops out the game. A checkpoint restart was needed to fix the issue.
• Game is a very basic cover and shoot type of affair that doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre.
• The jumping mechanic is hit and miss and when precise jumps are needed, frustration will follow.
• The co op stuff like opening doors is just a drawn out repetitive task.

In summary, The game has a good share of bugs and glitches. You can still get some enjoyment out of it even if its a short lived experience. Best played in co op with a mate, This will help take the sting out of the game. If you can get the game on the cheap then I can think of far worse games to hate. The game does look good in places and when you get a good set piece it is good. Its just annoying that every area does the same thing. You enter in one way and the enemies enter  opposite you, then its a case of cover shoot, cover shoot. The dialogue between the two playable characters keep the game going at times. I had some fun times with the game and I had some really bad times with it. To cut a long story short, The game if obtained cheap is a average game at best and players will get some enjoyment from it.