star trek computer games

Best Star Trek games of all time

Boldly go where no one has gone before with our in-depth, ranked list of the best Star Trek games of all time.

10. Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova

9. star trek: klingon academy, 8. star trek: invasion, 7. star trek: elite force ii, 6. star trek: bridge crew, 5. star trek: deep space nine – the fallen, 4. star trek: voyager – elite force, 3. star trek: starfleet command iii, 2. star trek: bridge commander, 1. star trek online.

It's only logical that you check out our list of the best Star Trek games of all time.

Star Trek: Resurgence , a new narrative-driven video game based on the famous sci-fi franchise, has just hit the shelves and garnered positive reviews. While it looks like a perfect entry point for newcomers to the Star Trek universe , it also reminded us of all the older titles that deserve more attention nowadays, as well as recent releases that have flown under the radar. Below you’ll find our picks for the very best Star Trek games of all time, ranked worst to best.

Much like the movie and TV franchise they’re based on, Star Trek video games have traditionally been more obscure than Star Wars titles, or at least more demanding from players trying to warp into the unknown. Still, Star Trek has produced a handful of remarkable games well worth checking out if you’ve got the time.

If you need some recommendations to better navigate through the Star Trek movies released so far, be sure to check out our list of the Star Trek movies ranked, worst to best . Likewise, we’ve got plenty of other sci-fi gaming suggestions (old and new) with our lists of the finest Alien , Warhammer 40K , Marvel , and DC games of all time.

• Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Tessera Studios

After a successful season 1 on Paramount+ in late 2021 and early 2022, the animated series Star Trek Prodigy received its own tie-in video game in late 2022. Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova is far from being the deepest nor most representative title the franchise has received, but it’s tailor-made for the next generation of fans.

There’s plenty of top-down action and adventure for the whole family here, coupled with reasonable puzzles and a co-op option which seems perfect for Trekkie parents trying to get their children into the universe. In an age when tie-in games are rare and normally undercooked, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova has almost all the charm of the source material and doesn’t stumble too often.

• Platforms: PC
• Developer: 14 Degrees East

Klingon Academy is one of the many weird, overlooked Star Trek video games that were born from an era when the most obvious projects had already been developed. Movies and TV shows weren’t at their highest peak either during the late 90s and early 2000s, so many off-beat and fascinating titles came out during those years.

Star Trek: Klingon Academy was yet another space flight sim, with the main difference being that it followed a young Klingon warrior joining the Elite Command Academy in order to prepare for a future conflict with the United Federation of Planets. While it was designed as a successor to Starfleet Academy, the unique setting and storyline, coupled with complex systems that rewarded diehard players, placed it among Star Trek’s finest games as years passed.

• Platforms: PS1
• Developer: Warthog Games

The year 2000 also gave us Star Trek: Invasion, a pretty competent and good-looking space combat shooter for the original PlayStation. It perhaps didn’t get enough attention back then because it strayed a bit too far from the spirit of the franchise, but the quality and retro thrills are there.

On the downside, the music largely missed the mark and barely felt like a proper Star Trek soundtrack, plus many ships in the game weren’t canon-accurate. Still, Invasion landed critical shots with everything else and provided a Star Trek experience unlike anything that had come before it.

• Platforms: PC, macOS
• Developer: Ritual Entertainment

Star Trek tried its luck with the first-person shooter genre as well, and found great success twice. While Ritual Entertainment’s Elite Force II isn’t as remarkable as the first installment, there was plenty to love in it, including much-improved graphics.

Oddly enough, Elite Force II also serves as a semi-sequel of sorts to the largely derided movie Star Trek: Nemesis as well as the end of the Star Trek: Voyager series. As for the gameplay, it’s an exciting mix of FPS action and surprisingly solid puzzle-solving. The game resonated well with critics and veteran fans alike, but it was a commercial failure and marked the final Star Trek release by Activision.

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Oculus Quest
• Developer: Red Storm Entertainment

Star Trek: Bridge Crew was hard to fully recommend around launch to the average player or Trekkie because it was strictly a virtual-reality title, but there was eventually an update that introduced the option to play it without VR. It takes place in the Kelvin timeline (created by the 2009 movie) and sees the Starfleet ship USS Aegis searching for a new homeworld for the Vulcans.

Players can choose from four roles: captain, tactical officer, engineer, and helm officer. Many tasks, both story-related and randomly generated, are performed from the ship’s bridge, and it’s all about working as a team to come out unscathed from dangerous and stressful situations. It’s a rather unique and more casual experience that channels much of Star Trek’s distinctive soul without alienating newcomers.

If you do have a VR headset then that's the best way to play, but it's worth checking out regardless.

• Developer: The Collective

Back to the off-beat titles from the early 2000s, we find Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – The Fallen, a rather straightforward but surprising third-person shooter that made good use of the Unreal Engine and allowed itself to be creepy and scary at times.

Players can choose to play through the entire game as either Captain Benjamin Sisko, Major Kira Nerys, or Lt. Commander Worf. The different points of view shed new light on the overall plot, and the entire story isn’t fully revealed until all three paths have been walked. Another nice touch was the inclusion of gadgets and comm mechanics that break up the action and give the whole experience a deeper Star Trek feeling than some of the reskins we've seen.

• Platforms: PC, macOS, PS2
• Developer: Raven Software

The first Elite Force game was specifically linked to Star Trek: Voyager’s sixth season, and introduced the Hazard Team, a new elite security section created to deal with extremely hostile missions. While the USS Voyager makes some repairs after being trapped in a starship graveyard, the Hazard Team is tasked with protecting the ship and the crew.

“Set your phasers to frag”, said the game’s cover, and that certainly wasn’t a lie. Raven Software, generally known for their work on the excellent Star Wars: Jedi Knight titles, made great use of the id Tech 3 engine, which was the perfect choice at the time for top-tier FPS games. Its action-heavy approach also meant it was very appealing to players that weren’t big Star Trek fans. More than 20 years later, this one still feels fantastic to play.

• Developer: Taldren

The Starfleet Command series had a pretty great run, and its third entry remains the best Star Trek space sim and real-time strategy title the franchise has ever had. It packs great story-driven missions split across three factions (Klingon Empire, Romulan Empire, and the Federation), engrossing RPG elements, and RTS mechanics, and yet somehow never feels overcomplicated or obtuse. Moreover, a Borg Collective campaign was also added to the game as downloadable content, though it wasn’t connected to the main storyline.

If you only have time for a handful of Star Trek titles as you explore the best that Trek has to offer, Starfleet Command III is absolutely the must-play of the space sim bunch and also a great accompaniment to a full rewatch of The Next Generation, DS9, and Voyager.

• Developer: Totally Games

In many ways, Bridge Commander feels like a key predecessor to Bridge Crew, with its focus on the ship’s bridge and the crew working together to solve many problems and win battles. As this was a full-blown PC game made for diehard Star Trek fans, it offered a deeper experience than many other entries on this list, featuring tactical gameplay and hands-on control of the many ship systems.

While Star Trek: Bridge Commander might not be everyone’s cup of tea and requires a certain amount of commitment to learning the ropes, we can’t think of a richer game for massive Trekkies. Furthermore, customized scenarios in “simulated environments” can keep it going after the story campaign is completed.

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Developer: Cryptic Studios

It’s not often that a franchise’s best game is an MMORPG, but Cryptic Studios’ unyielding commitment to Star Trek Online has paid off for more than a decade now. Like many MMOs before, it originally launched requiring a game purchase and monthly fees, but later shifted to a free-to-play model with premium access to extra content and items.

Even if you don’t spend any money, Star Trek Online keeps expanding in meaningful ways and offers both on-foot and starship action that perfectly captures the IP’s magic with story quests and PvP battles surprisingly well-adjusted to the MMO framework. 

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Fran Ruiz is our resident Star Wars guy. His hunger for movies and TV series is only matched by his love for video games. He got a BA of English Studies, focusing on English Literature, from the University of Malaga, in Spain, as well as a Master's Degree in English Studies, Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. On top of writing features and other longform articles for Space.com since 2021, he is a frequent collaborator of VG247 and other gaming sites. He also serves as associate editor over at Star Wars News Net and its sister site, Movie News Net.

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Published Jun 16, 2023

Star Trek: Infinite Releases New Trailer and Game Details

The grand strategy game, beginning decades before Star Trek: The Next Generation era, available on PC this Fall!

StarTrek.com

In honor of Captain Jean-Luc Picard , Paradox Interactive, and Nimble Giant Entertainment, under license from Paramount Consumer Products, revealed a new trailer and details for Star Trek: Infinite , a grand strategy game coming this Fall.

Recently announced at Summer Games Fest 2023, Star Trek: Infinite takes players on a thrilling journey through space, placing them in the heart of the galactic struggles between the powers of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Star Trek: Infinite , with its emergent gameplay and complex choices, launches on PC this Fall.

Set your interstellar course and watch the announcement trailer:

Official Game Trailer | Star Trek: Infinite

Though this game draws inspiration from the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation , this story isn’t just about one ship. Star Trek: Infinite puts players in command of one of four major powers in the galaxy — the United Federation of Planets, Romulan Star Empire, Cardassian Union, or Klingon Empire. Each major power possesses individualized traits, stories, quests, and more to make their play feel distinct. Players can send fleets to explore the Alpha and Beta quadrants, manage an economy, and navigate diplomatic endeavors.

Whether building the influence of their homeworlds or risking exploration into the unknown, Star Trek: Infinite gives players endless choices and the opportunity to shape the destiny of their favorite Star Trek powers. Fans will experience a game faithful to the lore of a timeless franchise, as they embark on an unforgettable journey through space, encounter new civilizations, and forge a path among the stars.

To learn more, please visit the website and stay tuned for further information and updates on the game’s official Twitter , Instagram , and the Paradox Interactive YouTube channel .

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Stay tuned to StarTrek.com for more details! And be sure to follow @StarTrek on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Screen Rant

The 10 best star trek video games (updated 2023).

Are you ready for an epic quest? Peruse the best Star Trek video games you can get.

• Release Date 2017
• Release Date 2001
• Release Date 2006
• Release Date 2013
• 9.74 /10 1. Editors choice: Star Trek: Bridge Crew (PSVR)
• 9.74 /10 2. Premium pick: Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force Expansion - PC
• 9.63 /10 3. Best value: Star Trek Encounters - PlayStation 2
• 9.67 /10 4. Star Trek - Playstation 3
• 9.12 /10 5. Star Trek: Legacy - Xbox 360
• 9.24 /10 6. Star Trek: Conquest - Nintendo Wii
• 9.58 /10 7. Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova - PlayStation 4
• 9.41 /10 8. Star Trek: Away Team - PC
• 9.87 /10 9. Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen - PC
• 9.92 /10 10. Star Trek: Tactical Assault

Star Trek is one of the most popular and well-known stories of all time. When it first premiered on television in 1966, there was nothing else like it. And since its birth, few other shows have even come close to matching the story in terms of scientific accuracy and appeal. Today, one of the ways that Star Trek lovers engage with the story is through video games, which can be more immersive than a show or movie. And the best Star Trek video games are accurate, they depict likenesses, and they come with an unbeatable plot. Here are some of our favorite Star Trek video game picks.

1. Star Trek: Bridge Crew (PSVR)

Star Trek: Bridge Crew was specifically developed as a virtual reality game, allowing Trekkies to interact with their favorite characters in a realistic, authentic way. If desired, players can operate in the co-op mode, designing a team of four to tackle their latest adventures. The team will consist of the Captain, Helm, Tactical, and Engineer as they travel through the galaxy.

Based on the 2009 Star Trek film timeline, the new ship, the USS Aegis begins searching for a home for the Vulcans. And, to do so, they head into Klingon territory. Players should keep in mind that the Captain’s role is the only one that displays the details of the mission. And the captain must communicate their latest endeavors to the rest of the crew in order to succeed.

The qualities that set this game apart from other Star Trek games are its dynamic gameplay and ongoing missions. Those who play Star Trek: Bridge Crew could really play indefinitely on a solo or co-op mission, which results in a captivating and valuable story. This game also stands apart from others in terms of its realism. As a virtual reality game, players should expect to feel completely immersed in the story.

• Plastation VR
• Bridge crew designed for VR
• Operate as a crew
• Ongoing missions mode
• Release Date : 2017
• Updated version
• Solo mission or multiplayer
• Good features
• Does not include next generation ship

2. Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force Expansion - PC

Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force Expansion is a first-person shooter game that is set in the fourth Star Trek television series. The game follows a number of different missions on the USS Voyager — some of which take place 70,000 miles away from home. The game incorporates a large number of original characters into the gameplay, and each character features the actual voice from the television series. So, you can expect authentic results from iconic characters like Captain Kathyrn Janeway and Lieutenant Commander Tuvok.

The game starts with holodeck training that the team fails. It shows the characters attempting to complete a task on a Borg ship. But the end result is that the majority of those characters fail, becoming captured by the enemy. After the holodeck training, the Voyager is attacked by an unknown force. And, ultimately, the ship is teleported to a mysterious place. Characters within the game have to attempt to determine where they are, and what threats lie ahead in order to keep the crew and the future of the Voyager protected. This game was an extreme success as far as Star Trek games go. In fact, it received an 86 percent approval rate, attesting to its production and bugless gameplay.

• Created by Raven Software
• Stranded in Delta Quadrant
• Set on USS Voyager
• Tour mode or multiplayer mode
• Release Date : 2001
• Rich colors
• Varied architecture
• Great single player option
• Nice graphics
• Really challenging end boss

3. Star Trek Encounters - PlayStation 2

One of the interesting things about the Star Trek universe is that it’s incredibly developed. Over the past 60 years, artists of multiple kinds have had the chance to add to the universe, creating new environments and challenges along the way. And this often comes out in video games. In Star Trek: Encounters, for example, gamers control five generations of ships including the Original Series ship, the Next Generation, the Deep Space Nine, the Voyager, and even the most iconic ship: the Enterprise. While some Star Trek games fabricate new worlds and destinations, Encounters features destinations that you’ve probably seen before. And you can even play based on real TV show events.

As you play, you can combat your enemies using a variety of different weapons like Phasers, Pulse Cannons, and Torpedoes. There are also three different modes in the game. So, you can play in a multiplayer mode, in the episode mode of the skirmish mode. The result is a captivating and realistic version of the Star Trek universe that is likely to keep you entertained for many hours to come. Finally, the game style is similar to that which you would find in a conventional arcade – or a shooter game.

• 5 generations of ships available
• Authentic Star Trek locations
• Choose from three modes
• Multiplayer options
• Release Date : 2006
• Fun process
• Can increase the challenge
• Reminiscent of the arcade
• Challenging gameplay
• Anticlimactic finish

4. Star Trek - Playstation 3

For the first time ever, Star Trek for the Playstation 3 allowed players to adopt the characters of Captain Kirk and Spock in a new, and unique storyline. Set after the events of 2009 in the J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot, was the first in-house game developed by Paramount Studios. This game is set in the Kelvin universe. It follows Captain Kirk, Spock, and the Starfleet crew as they evaluate and track a theft that took place. Captain Kirk and Spock head to Gorn territories in order to right the wrongs that were done to them.

One thing that sets this game apart from other Star Trek games is that the development of it relied on collaborative efforts from the film team and the video game producers. This means that the production team emphasized authenticity in the making of this game. And it shows. The likenesses of Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are used throughout this game, making players feel entirely immersed in the plot of one of their favorite films. At the same time, the game allows you to travel to parts of the universe that have never yet been seen. The result is one of the most unforgettable Star Trek gaming experiences yet.

• Available on PS3, Xbox 360, PC
• Takes place after the events of 2009
• Never before seen sectors
• Includes two of the most well-known characters
• Release Date : 2013
• New visuals
• Lots of items to find
• Voice acting
• A handful of glitches

5. Star Trek: Legacy - Xbox 360

Star Trek: Legacy hit the shelves in 2006, and quickly became a fan favorite due to the varied gameplay. Those who integrate themselves in this Trekkie world will be quick to notice that they have full access to the Star Trek universe in all of its glory. Along the way, they can command one to four ships, and battle others in the galaxy. Even when you’re in charge of multiple starships, you only command one at a time, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. You control features like weapons, repairs, and travel. And you can adjust the viewpoint, if desired.

Those who jump into the world of Star Trek: Legacy can also use the customized skirmish mode. You choose which way you’ll play, giving yourself the ideal gaming environment. And the PC version of this game has a few additional modes. The single-player version of this game operates in three different eras, switching between Star Trek: Enterprise, The Original Series, and The Next Generation. Or in 2159, 2270, and 2333. As graphically rich as it is engaging, Star Trek: Legacy is a collector's item if we’ve ever seen one. And the challenge that it presents to gamers is full of entertainment.

• Spans the whole universe
• Large-scale combat
• 3D battlefields
• Ships with full-damage modeling
• Easier to control than PC version
• Kid-friendly
• Repetitive phrases

6. Star Trek: Conquest - Nintendo Wii

Developed by 4J Studios, Star Trek: Conquest is a single-player action game that uses both turn-based strategy and real-time strategy to captivate your attention. The game is set in the Next Generation chapter of Star Trek. And it allows the player to choose from groups that exist in that chapter like the Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Breen, Cardassian and Dominion groups. In this game, everyone is at war. Alliances that previously existed between groups have faded or been disrupted due to recent events. And all of this makes for a rather chaotic and dangerous universe. Everyone wants to capture more territories, outlining themselves as universe dominators.

Upon its release, Star Trek: Conquest received mixed reviews. Those who played on the Wii tended to be more skeptical of the game than those that played on other

platforms. We’re a fan of this particular Star Trek game because of its limitless possibilities. Interested in joining the gruff Klingon world for a while? No problem. Would you rather wear Romulan attire? If so, you can do just that in this Next Generation game. While this game is less linear than other Star Trek games, it comes with unique challenges and it requires strategy to win.

• Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2
• Single-player
• Can take direct control of any ship
• 6 playable races
• Release Date : 2007
• Strategy based
• Challenging
• Gets boring after a few conquers
• Clunky controls

7. Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova - PlayStation 4

Trekkies that picture the most notorious and shocking Star Trek movies and shows typically point to those with Captain Kirk or the Next Generation. These are the most well-known chapters of Star Trek. But there are others. Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova is based on an animated Star Trek series. It debuted recently, in 2021 as an attempt to grow the universe that Paramount+ depicts. In the game, the year is 2383. The Voyager has already made its way home to earth when a group of aliens stumbles upon the USS Protostar and takes it as their own. Players have to figure out how to work with their team and make it out of Delta Quadrant in order to be successful.

Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova is a great game for those who love to explore new alien worlds instead of existing in old ones. Along the way, you’re likely to make it to places like Orisi, Mirios, and Taresse. And each place features its own culture, challenges, and puzzles. The goal is to meet with the aliens in each place and learn about their history. But those who make it far enough to do so are likely to run into the enemy.

• Play as Dal R’El and Gwyndala
• Takes you to alien worlds
• Make first contact with new species
• A new nemesis
• Release Date : 2022

8. Star Trek: Away Team - PC

One thing that we love about Star Trek games is that they come in different styles. Some options might be first-person shooter games. Others might be more strategic or puzzle driven. Star Trek: Away Team is a real-time tactics game that was originally released for computers in 2001. Set after the Dominion War, the game hosts a variety of new characters in order to keep things interesting. But it also includes some fan favorites like Data, Michael Dorn, and Brent Spiner.

The gamer controls between four and six characters while immersed in this universe. Everyone has their own abilities and strengths, making them complementary and useful in specific environments. It’s up to the gamer to use them accordingly. Specialties that they might have could include a strength in science, health, or even engineering. And it’s fairly easy to see how those strengths could impact the mission. As a special operations group, this gang of characters can face as many as 18 different missions that require sharp faculties, attention, and strategy. You might find your team working against the Klingon race, the Borg, or even the Romulans, depending on that mission. What is certain is that there are plenty of challenges for you and your team to navigate as you make your way through the universe.

• Strategy game
• Chronicle missions of the USS Incursion
• Experimental Starfleet ship
• Holographic masking technology
• Easy to play
• No likenesses

9. Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen - PC

Most Star Trek games exist within worlds with which Trekkies are very familiar. We might find ourselves fighting against the Borg in one iteration of the game. Or perhaps the Romulans. But Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen presents a new reality to gamers that is both interesting and involved with Star Trek during a different chapter of its existence. At one point in Star Trek history, the Pah-Wraiths were banished from the Alpha Quadrant. But in this game, they’re attempting to come back in pursuit of three powerful orbs that could allow them to not only live within the quadrant but to rule it. If they succeed, life as the Alpha Quadrant will likely change for the worse.

In order to avoid this reality, the gamer adopts the character of Captain Sisko, Major Kira, or Lieutenant Worf in order to beat the Pah-Wraiths to the red orbs. Your goal is to find and contain them to protect the future of the Alpha Quadrant. Along the way, each character is prone to having its own mission and challenge. But they must also be available to coordinate with the team at large, or face ruin. What’s certain is that Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen offers new and memorable challenges for gamers.

• Can play as multiple characters
• Special missions
• 3D adventure
• Release Date : 2000
• Different side of Star Trek
• Fast reload
• Great quality
• Not always user friendly

10. Star Trek: Tactical Assault

Serious Trekkies know what the Star Trek universe is like. It’s complicated, and often chaotic and conflicted, which means that those on Star Trek ships are often in dangerous settings. Star Trek: Tactical Assault shows this reality since it features a variety of warships that are frequently under fire or headed for fire. But one thing that the game also demonstrates is that the captain (or the gamer, in some cases) can best prove their value and ability to exist within the Star Trek universe by either combating the enemy and winning or maneuvering their ship in a way that keeps their fleet safe. This game comes with two campaign modes to offer the gamer variety and multiple types of challenges. And, as the acting captain, it’s up to you to make the choices that will keep your ship healthy and fighting in the future.

In this game, you can also play from the lines of 5 different races, meaning that you can be the captain of a Federation ship, Klingon, Romulan, Gorn, and Orion ship. The altered perspective gives you a greater depth of understanding of the Star Trek universe. This multiplayer game is both entertaining and challenging, support Trekkies in their journeys to become the best captains possible.

• Five playable races
• Two full campaign modes
• Real-time combat
• Involves multiple war ships
• Multiplayer option
• Full-length campaigns
• Teen-friendly
• Classic game
• Gameplay could be improved

Star Trek is an incredibly popular franchise that captivates full generations even today. And since it has been around for nearly 60 years, the story has had the opportunity to go through many different iterations and visual appearances. From the iconic Captain Kirk stories to the Next Generation, the story gets really deep and fascinating to those who stick with it long enough to learn about it. As a result of the story’s popularity, it's made its way into video games. And, over time, those video games have become more and more diverse. Today, you can choose from options like first-person shooter games, strategy, and even management options. And they are likely to satisfy even the most dedicated Star Trek fans.

A Brief History of Star Trek Video Games

Did you know that the first Star Trek game was first released in 1971? Titled Star Trek, this game featured turn-based battles, a text-based design, and tons of potential choices for gamers. Together, these key components teamed up to offer a game with nearly endless options. Although gaming has come a long way in the past 50 years, true Star Trek fanatics could benefit from dipping their toes back into iconic games like the original Star Trek to witness the progression of the story and the birth of Star Trek video games.

After the original Star Trek became popular, several other video games followed in its tracks. While many of the newer variations were slow to captivate audiences, there were a few that truly stood out for their gameplay and plot. Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, for example, allows players to embody Captain Kirk, who is in charge of the Enterprise.

After Activision acquired the rights to Star Trek in 1998, some of the most popular Star Trek games in history came to fruition. Titles like Star Trek: Armada, Star Trek Voyager - Elite Force, and Star Trek: Bridge Commander took Trekkies by surprise because of their improved graphics, likenesses, and storylines. And this solidified these games in history as some of the best video games ever to be released.

Star Trek continues to captivate gamers and story-lovers alike for its depth and realism. Who wouldn’t want to gain a greater understanding of the breadth of the universe, right? And since video games offer users an immersive experience into the universe of their choosing, it's no wonder why these Star Trek titles have become permanent fixtures in gaming history.

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Star Trek Resurgence understands what makes great Star Trek

Telltale Games veterans veer away from combat and into philosophy

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Unlike its esteemed counterpart from Lucasfilm, Star Trek’s history with video games isn’t exactly stellar.

There are licensed Star Trek video games going back 50 years, but there’s never been a truly great Star Trek game, one whose appeal outstretches the limits of its existing fan base. Moreover, even the most celebrated Star Trek games, such as 2000’s Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force , 2002’s Star Trek: Bridge Commander , and the long-running MMORPG Star Trek Online , place an overwhelming emphasis on combat, which is only ever a last resort in Star Trek stories. Gene Roddenberry’s cosmic polemic often contains action, but it’s never about action; Star Trek is about compassion, curiosity, and camaraderie. To truly capture the essence of the spacefaring adventure series, a video game should be as much about talking as it is about flying and shooting, allowing players to explore new worlds, build relationships, and confront complicated moral dilemmas.

This seems to be the aim of Star Trek Resurgence , the debut release from Telltale offshoot Dramatic Labs, and the first Star Trek game in ages to be as character- and dialogue-focused as the television series. Set aboard a new ship and starring an almost entirely new cast, Resurgence is a branching narrative whose balance between interstellar intrigue, interpersonal conflict, and explosive space action hews closer to that of its source material than any Star Trek game in decades — maybe ever. As a game and as a piece of software, it leaves a lot to be desired. But as a Star Trek story, it definitely earns its pips.

Resurgence alternates between the perspectives of two player-controlled characters aboard the science vessel Resolute, incoming first officer Commander Jara Rydek (Krizia Bajos) and enlisted engineer Petty Officer Carter Diaz (Josh Keaton). The Resolute is recovering from a recent disaster that cost the lives of several of its crew and the reputation of its captain, Zachary Solano. Solano fears that he’s lost the confidence of his staff, and is counting on Academy protege Rydek to help restore his honor as the Resolute embarks on an important diplomatic mission. Over the course of the story, Rydek takes point on unraveling a mystery with galactic implications, earning the trust of the crew while also evaluating whether or not Solano is worthy of her own. Meanwhile, engineer Diaz deals with more of the nuts-and-bolts problems aboard the ship, as well as navigating a romance with a fellow officer.

As in a good peak-era Star Trek episode, the “problem of the week” is tackled from more than one angle, with some of the crew handling a social or interpersonal conflict while others investigate some related scientific or technological puzzle. Teamwork is an essential ingredient to Star Trek, and Resurgence highlights that it takes a variety of skill sets and perspectives to solve complex problems. There is a two-way relationship between the bridge crew handling the big picture and the specialists below troubleshooting the finer points. Alternating between these A- and B-plots also breaks up the story and the gameplay nicely, and introduces the player to a variety of likable, memorable characters with whom you interact differently depending on your protagonist.

The narrative moves along at a steady clip, with the stakes escalating organically from that of a typical Next Generation episode to something closer to a modern season-long arc of Discovery . Crucially, for a video game and for a Star Trek story, the player faces consequential, difficult, and timely choices.

In contrast to the (still far superior) Mass Effect games, which present players with clear-cut Paragon or Renegade paths to pursue, Resurgence ’s dialogue trees don’t always offer an obvious ethical binary. Will you risk a dozen lives to save one? Will you disobey a direct order to follow the advice of an impassioned subordinate? Which member of your crew do you trust more in a crisis, and will they trust you in a pinch? These decisions are all made on a short timer, forcing the player to think quickly and trust their instincts. This instantly makes Resurgence feel closer to the “real” Starfleet experience even than the expansive open world of Star Trek Online , which dictates most of your objectives for you; nearly every path ends with “fire all phasers.”

More than anything, it’s your relationships with the supporting cast that shape the variations in the narrative. It’s not simply a matter of passing each one’s individual loyalty check, allowing you to achieve some 100% “perfect” ending. You cannot please everyone and you cannot save everyone. (Or at least I haven’t yet in my two playthroughs.) Not only does this place the full weight of duty and command on the player and offer an incentive to replay the 12-to-15-hour game multiple times, but it also underlines one of the essential tenets of Star Trek: It is possible for two parties, in good faith and good conscience, to disagree. Sometimes a compromise can be reached, sometimes conflict can’t be avoided, but no one needs to stay enemies forever.

On the other hand, commitment to the Star Trek ethos does have its drawbacks. Starfleet’s strict code of conduct means that the players are somewhat railroaded. For instance, when enlisted engineer Diaz’s love interest is caught accessing files she’s not supposed to, you, as Diaz, can’t lie to cover for her. In a move typical of the franchise whose reputation for political radicalism is somewhat overblown, its core political conflict between a colonizing empire and their long-suffering protectorate sniffs of some unfortunate bothsidesism. Some of the sci-fi twists that complicate the plot do so at the price of nuance, introducing an overarching threat that forces all parties to work together without ever actually addressing what drove them apart in the first place. It’s a flaw found in a lot of past and present Star Trek, demonstrating the liberal-moderate belief that we can all just get along without committing to any meaningful change in the status quo.

It’s in the non-dialogue-driven gameplay elements that Resurgence truly stumbles. While the stealth and cover shooting portions are smooth and fun, a lot of the other mechanics are sluggish, tedious, or both. This particularly applies to PO Diaz’s engineering tasks, which feel less like puzzles or minigames and more like busywork. (Pull R2 to open this conduit, now LS+R2 to remove this isolinear chip, and then the next one, etc.) Fail conditions of certain minigames or stages can be disabled via a Story Mode option, but there is no way to avoid the game’s more mindless chores.

Star Trek Resurgence also suffers numerous technical glitches at the time of release, at least on PlayStation 4. It’s not uncommon for lines of dialogue to start late or cut off early, costing the scene important exposition or flavor. Keeping subtitles enabled can sometimes compensate for this issue, except on random occasions when the subtitles disappear altogether for a line or two at a time. Busier cutscenes, such as the game’s space battle finale, load sluggishly on PS4, creating seconds-long gaps between shots, killing the momentum of what should be a thrilling climax. These issues may be resolved in future updates, but at launch, they’re an undeniable drag.

Despite these glaring flaws, Star Trek Resurgence offers a space-worthy experience for Star Trek fans. Where other titles have offered a more complete picture of the Star Trek universe — letting players explore the breadth of the galaxy, walk the decks of their favorite starships, or build their own — only a rare few have looked beyond lore toward story . Fans don’t love Star Trek merely for the cool ships or deep mythology, we love it for the friendship between Kirk and Spock, and Picard’s growth from stiff loner to proud patriarch; for Sisko’s impossible moral dilemmas and Burnham’s quest for redemption.

Not even Resurgence ’s nearest spiritual ancestors, classic ’90s point-and-click adventures Star Trek 25th Anniversary or Star Trek: The Next Generation – A Final Unity , have captured that essential human element that makes for a great Star Trek story. Resurgence ties a worthwhile cast of characters to an interstellar adventure. Does Resurgence qualify as “great Star Trek”? Probably not, but it’s hard to argue that any video game has come closer.

Star Trek Resurgence was released on May 23 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PS4 using a pre-release download code provided by Double Fine Productions. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here .

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Six Classic Star Trek Video Games Now Available for Download

Journey back to the late-90s and early-2000s with these classic Star Trek games.

Just in time for Star Trek Day , online video game retailer GOG.com has revealed that six classic Star Trek computer games are now available to download. This marks the first time these games are available on a modern video game storefront.

Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force (2000) and its sequel (2003), Star Trek: Bridge Commander (2002), Star Trek: Starfleet Command III (2002), Star Trek: Hidden Evil (1999), and Star Trek: Away Team (2001) are now available for $10 each. These games are promised to play on modern computers.

Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force –a first-person shooter set onboard the USS Voyager where you must take on some of the most dangerous special missions. Star Trek: Elite Force II – a stunning sequel set on Enterprise-E where you get your orders from Captain Jean-Luc Picard himself! Star Trek: Hidden Evil – a third-person adventure game with both Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner reprising their roles as Captain Picard and Lt. Cmdr. Data. Star Trek: Away Team – an isometric turn-based tactical game influenced by titles like Commandos and the X-Com series. Star Trek: Starfleet Command III – a simulation game with RPG elements where you can customize your starship and lead it into space battles. Star Trek: Bridge Commander – a space combat simulation game that sits you in an actual captain’s chair with a crew waiting for your orders.

Star Trek: Armada and its sequel are slated as “TBA.”

A few years ago, we looked back at Elite Force (often considered the best Star Trek game of all time) with the game’s director, Brian Pelletier, and found it holds up well after all these years.

To purchase the games, visit gog.com/partner/startrek .

Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek media releases, Star Trek: Lower Decks , Star Trek: Prodigy , Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Picard , and more.

You can follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram .

Kyle Hadyniak has been a lifelong Star Trek fan, and isn't ashamed to admit that Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek: Nemesis are his favorite Star Trek movies. You can follow Kyle on Twitter @khady93 .

Erik Szpyra

November 1, 2021 at 5:27 pm

I loved Elite Force, I remember in that game one of the first things I did was fire on the bridge crew, very satisfying.

David Wilburn

December 11, 2021 at 12:08 am

I would be willing to pay up to $40 if they would use more advanced game engine with high polygon and texture models on the games. I would pay as much as $60 for a single updated game including all missions and add expansions of Voyager Elite Force 1 & 2

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Star Trek: Infinite PC review — Boldly going where games have gone before

Teeming with potential and an extensive damage report..

Windows Central Verdict

Star Trek: Infinite is a fun strategy game and a great entry point to the genre for newcomers that doesn't cost as much as many big games, but a plethora of bugs bog down the gameplay and mission design.

Fun management gameplay mechanics

Good grand strategy entry point

Large number of bugs

Obtuse mission design

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What is Star Trek: Infinite?

• Gameplay & customization
• Visuals & audio
• Accessibility & approachability
• Should you buy?

Have you ever watched situations unfold in Star Trek and thought "If only I had been in charge?" Star Trek: Infinite puts that idea to the test, allowing players to revisit a large chunk of Star Trek history in a grand strategy format by guiding different civilizations through force or peace. It has solid ideas and fun empire management mechanics, as well as a lower than usual price point. 

Unfortunately, a large number of bugs bring down the overall experience, causing serious issues for when you try to complete missions or scale production lines across your controlled worlds. There's fun to be had, but Star Trek: Infinite needs a few big fixes before it could become a must-play. Disclaimer:  This review was made possible by a review code provided by Paradox Interactive. The publisher did not see the contents of this review before publishing.

Developer: Nimble Giant Entertainment Publisher: Paradox Interactive Genre: Grand strategy Playtime: 15+ hours Platforms: Windows PC Reviewed on: Windows PC Install size: 15.14GB Xbox Game Pass: No Price: $30 Release date: Oct. 12, 2023

Star Trek: Infinite is a grand strategy game developed by Nimble Giant Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive. Players assume control of one of four powerful factions in the Star Trek universe — the Federation, Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, and Cardassian Union are all available — and guide their chosen faction through history. 

You'll build fleets and starbases, colonize worlds, manage populations, and through force or diplomacy, eventually integrate weaker civilizations and smaller factions into your space-faring kingdom. Naturally, each faction has advantages and disadvantages, with the Federation encouraged to peacefully approach new cultures and act defensively. Meanwhile, the Cardassians may take a more unsubtle approach in acquiring new pre-populated worlds. All of this requires managing dozens of resources in a careful balancing act. 

Star Trek: Infinite This is a solid entry-level strategy game that fulfills dreams of controlling the Federation or other Star Trek space empires. Just be mindful of some bugs right now at launch. Buy at: Humble Bundle | Steam

Star Trek: Infinite — Gameplay and customization

No matter who you're playing as, you must balance resource consumption with the growth of your empire, surveying solar systems and colonizing worlds to keep your population from getting too cramped. 

I appreciate the game's structure here, as it simplifies a tremendous amount of information, offering multiple ways of automating your output. For example, you can designate a planet to be a Mining World and let the game AI choose the best ways to improve it over time. It's a good balance, providing minute details to tweak for veteran players like me without being too overwhelming for newcomers. 

As mentioned above, each faction in Star Trek: Infinite has some unique qualities that allow you to play in different fashions, but you've still got options no matter who you've chosen. This ties in with the Mission Tree, which can allow you to take the Star Trek timeline down different avenues, exploring things that did happen or might've happened in other circumstances. 

You could eventually build the Federation in such a way that it becomes a more militarized entity.

For example, you could eventually build the Federation in such a way that it becomes a more militarized entity, leading to offensive campaigns that bring peace to the galaxy... by force. It's a shame then that the Mission Tree is designed in an obtuse fashion. There's a large number of events that appear from time to time with absolutely no details on how you're actually supposed to proceed, leading to frustration as you have to hunt through the Mission Tree for any clue that something could be connected to a timed event that's popped up. 

Unfortunately, there's also an absolutely massive amount of bugs right now. Some of these are fairly minor issues, such as needing to reselect a ship before it could be ordered to move. Others are far more massive, such as hearing the AI advisor say one of your characters has died without telling you who it is, suddenly losing the ability to move a fleet that's somehow become stuck in a system, or even (perhaps most egregiously) being unable to finish a mission despite filling every requirement.

Star Trek: Infinite — Visuals and audio

Star Trek: Infinite doesn't feature cutting-edge visuals, but given the zoomed-out approach, it really doesn't need to. The visuals are mostly fine, with decent-looking ships, star systems, and nebulae across the vastness of space that you'll explore. Static images are used for most species and worlds, and while there's definitely a bit more repetition here than I'd like, it's never so egregious as to be immersion breaking. 

The soundtrack is a bit understated but still extensive, with a large number of tracks that fit the quiet mood you'll usually be in as you manage your empire. You can also directly select which tracks you'd like to hear on repeat, which is a nice touch.

It's also worth mentioning that the game has a very lengthy load time when you first boot it up, averaging around 50 seconds on a Samsung 850 SSD. After that loading however, subsequent loads to different save files only took a couple of seconds, so it's not an issue outside of when you first sit down to play. 

Star Trek: Infinite — Accessibility and approachability

Star Trek: Infinite doesn't have a large number of accessibility options, but players can tweak their playthrough to make things easier, adjusting the difficulty, AI advisor, and game speed to make things more hectic or relaxing.  

All of this combined with a simplified structure mean that it's fairly easy to learn and understand compared to something like Stellaris. This does come at the cost of not having as many gameplay options or mechanics to play around with, but DLC support could change that over time. Similarities to Paradox's sister title Stellaris will abound, and rightfully so. The Star Trek IP isn't just used for set dressing here, though, and instead feels real and well-utilized. Ethical dilemmas and mysterious problems crop up from time to time and they feel like situations that would've appeared across the shows, especially The Next Generation.

Star Trek: Infinite — Should you buy?

Overall, I do like playing Star Trek: Infinite, but that comes with a healthy number of asterisk marks. There's a lot that isn't explained to the point that it's hard to tell if an issue is actually a bug or not, while a large number of unambiguous issues weaken what is otherwise a decent strategy title. 

Steadfast Trekkies will have fun, as will anyone looking for a watered-down, less-punishing entry point into grand strategy games. It's also aided by the low cost of entry, at less than half the price of most big games. Is it one of the best PC games for strategy fans? Perhaps not now, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Star Trek: Infinite evolves through future updates and mod support in the months ahead. 

Star Trek: Infinite is an unfortunately buggy experience right now, but there's still fun to be had managing an empire as you acquire new worlds through combat or subterfuge.

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert .

The 10 Best Star Trek Games, Ranked By Metacritic

Star Trek has inspired a lot of video games over the years. Here's a look at 10 of the absolute best, according to Metacritic.

The Star Trek franchise is one of the media's biggest and oldest entertainment juggernauts. It covers movies, television, card games, role-playing modules, action figures, and a whole slew of every niche in between. Video games might have been one of the earliest branches from the original television series, appearing even before the movies.

RELATED:  5 Best Star Trek Games Ever (& 5 Worst)

Considering the brand's popularity, it has a poor reputation when it comes to video games . That might have started in the days of console gaming when the Star Trek name was attached to some hilarious failures. The fact is there are plenty of good Star Trek games out there no matter what computer hardware or gaming console is available, and one way to find them is by using Metacritic.

10 Star Trek: Invasion - 76

There's nothing that beats a classic, and this PS game has all the basic elements of a vintage Star Trek episode. The player is a pilot taking commands from none other than Commander Worf, and together they take on the Borg, a rogue Starfleet captain, and the Romulans. The focus of the game is the elite, cutting-edge ship that takes the player through this adventure-space shooter hybrid.

9 Star Trek: Bridge Crew - 78

One of the more recent games in the franchise,  Bridge Crew isn't the first one designed with Virtual Reality in mind, but it was intended specifically to be an immersive VR experience. The game recreates the environments from the show with impressive accuracy as the protagonist leads their ship and crew, and players and critics are heralding this as the future of virtual gaming.

8 Star Trek: Elite Force II - 78

The player is part of a clandestine security unit assigned to the Enterprise in Star Trek: Elite Force II.  This PC game has some nice fanservice for Trekkers and enough detail and expertise in the design department for everyone else.

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The game includes a prologue in which the protagonist also gets some time on the USS Voyager along with a variety of other environments. This adventure leads to vast alien landscapes, other starships, and the void of deep space .

7 Star Trek: Starfleet Command III - 78

This PC game is a favorite because of the strategic gameplay and immersive plot, a common feature of most Star Trek games. What sets  Starfleet Command III  apart from others, either as part of the larger brand or in the Starfleet Command series, is the level of customization involved. Players can modify their ships with more weapons, better defense, and other features depending on their chosen strategy.

6 Star Trek Starfleet Command: Orion Pirates - 78

The Star Trek Starfleet Command game series for the PC tends to rank highly with both gamers and critics, and this is another entry on that list.  Orion Pirates  is an immersive PC game that mixes real-time strategy with the command of a starship. The player can choose to be one of the pirates or fight against them in their ultimate goal of conquering the universe.

5 Star Trek: Bridge Crew The Next Generation - 79

This game has a VR experience that has received rave reviews from both fans and critics, but that's not all that players like about it. The gameplay is intuitive, the graphics are sleek and detailed, and the storyline is compelling and immersive.

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This game might be more popular if it was on more than one platform. Star Trek: Bridge Crew The Next Generation is only available on the PS4, and uses the graphics capabilities to the full extent of their powers.

4 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Fallen - 81

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , The Fallen is a PC game that features a compelling storyline and the opportunity to play as three famous characters, either as Commander Worf, Captain Sisko, or Major Kira, each of which were high ranking officers on the show. The main storyline consists of a search for three orbs, powerful artifacts that will give the federation an edge for controlling the galaxy.

3 Star Trek Fleet Command - 82

One of the first attempts at a mobile game for the franchise, in this case for the iPhone,  Star Trek Fleet Command  delivers on the complex and interesting gameplay as well as serving up some nice hot fanservice. The game includes references and characters from virtually every Star Trek show and timeline and includes plenty of strategic adventures along with quests to explore, build, and recruit your favorite Star Trek heroes.

2 Star Trek Bridge Commander - 82

It's the drama of the storyline that initially hooks players on this highly immersive PC game. In Star Trek Bridge Commander,  the plot begins when the player takes command after the Captain is killed in a mysterious explosion.

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The protagonist's mission is to find out what caused the initial blast and prevent a recurrence. This leads into an intricate game that consists of completing missions, forming alliances, and uncovering a dark political secret.

1 Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force - 86

One of the things about Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force  that explains the high rating is that players for this PC game take the helm as fan-favorite , Tuvok. It also helps that Raven Software didn't spare any expense when it comes to funding the graphics department, and the FPS design is fun to play and easy to learn.

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Buy Star Trek 25th Anniversary

Buy interplay's star trek classic collection bundle ().

Includes 4 items: Star Trek 25th Anniversary , Star Trek Judgment Rites , Star Trek Starfleet Academy , Star Trek Starfleet Command Gold Edition

About This Game

Boldly go where no man has gone before..., the best defense is a strong offense—and i intend to start offending right now. -- captain james t. kirk, system requirements.

• OS: XP, Vista, 7, 8
• Processor: 1.8 GHz Processor
• Memory: 512 MB RAM
• Graphics: 3D DirectX compatible graphics card
• DirectX: Version 7.0
• Additional Notes: Keyboard, two button mouse
• Memory: 1 GB RAM
• DirectX: Version 9.0

TM & © 2015 CBS Studios Inc. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. Software © 1993 Interplay Entertainment Corp. All rights reserved.

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Star Trek: Resurgence review

Tkon the piss., our verdict.

Resurgence is the perfect mash-up of dramatic Star Trek storytelling and Telltale-style decision making, but with too many QTEs.

PC Gamer's got your back Our experienced team dedicates many hours to every review, to really get to the heart of what matters most to you. Find out more about how we evaluate games and hardware.

What is it? A single-player choice-driven action story set in the post-TNG era. Release date May 23, 2023 Expect to pay $39.99/£35 Developer Dramatic Labs Publisher Bruner House Reviewed on Intel i7-9700F, RTX 2070 Super, 32GB RAM Steam Deck Unverified Link Official site  

"The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth" is one of Captain Picard's most iconic lines, and the team at Dramatic Labs—a bunch of self-confessed diehard Trekkies—have embodied that mantra in their Telltale-esque adventure, Star Trek: Resurgence. The story is the perfect mix of everything Star Trek and Telltale's classic choice-based narrative: silly humour, gentle moments that focus on care and affection, and dramatic phaser fights with lots of unnecessary diving around.

The Telltale formula of a strong narrative combined with morally ambiguous decision-making—and plenty of QTEs—seems to fit the Star Trek storytelling style perfectly. But Dramatic Labs offers something more: complicated puzzles, stealth sequences, time-sensitive exploration objectives, better cinematics, and an overall departure from the Telltale default of feeling like you're watching an interactive movie. Resurgence isn't an episodic tale, at least not in the traditional Telltale sense. Rather than having five distinct acts or episodes that arrive separately, you'll get to play it all at once as you swap between the two player characters, who each get their own uniquely titled episodes, much like you'd see in The Next Generation.

Star Trek: Resurgence is meant to represent roughly three full-length films and ties in nicely to the post-TNG era series and movies. It's set in 2380, right after the events of Nemesis and 16 years after the beginning of The Next Generation. Also, everyone is wearing DS9-style uniforms, so you know it's going to be good. It brings together a balanced mix of bridge crew antics—a well-established Star Trek approach—and the inspiring, comic-relief side of the lower decks, which we've seen in the newest animated series. Only, the lower decks characters become the real heroes and villains in this story, showing that wearing three pins on your uniform isn't the be-and end-all. 

I have principles 

...she has to make some life-altering decisions, like whether or not to commit genocide. Twice!

You switch between playing as First Officer Jara Rydek and Petty Officer Carter Diaz. Both are loyal Starfleet officers and aside from a few snide comments, there's no real option to go rogue. With Jara, you can choose to be a by-the-book type who's loyal to her captain or more of a character who plays fast and loose with the rules. She's a Kobliad, an endangered race who rely on Deuridium infusions to survive. Star Trek captains often make difficult decisions that trickle down to the rest of the crew, sometimes involving sacrifice for the greater good. Resurgence opens with that theme, with the Resolute having just been repaired after a catastrophic "malfunction" at the hands of Captain Solano. Jara joins the Resolute as an outsider and is made aware straight from the off that she'll need to work twice as hard to gain the crew's trust, but not before the captain demands absolute loyalty from her. Not being one to bend the knee on demand, I opted for a more "sure, but my loyalties are with Starfleet" approach—needless to say, the captain wasn't pleased.

The other player character, Carter, has a gentler introduction; he's part of the engineering team under Engineering Chief Chovak, an ultra-sarcastic Vulcan. He chums along with fellow petty officer Nili Edsilar, an unjoined Trill, and is a talented young engineer. I opted to keep a happy-go-lucky attitude with Carter, with the greater good vibe of Starfleet as his morality meter, although I did choose to start a romance with another officer which… well, I'll get back to that. At first, it seems his character will be the jokey one who'd find himself in sticky yet hilarious situations, but he quickly proves himself to be one hell of an officer and makes bridge-level life-or-death decisions. His is by far the more engaging and exciting storyline and without him, Resurgence would have just been another retelling of an XO making one morally grey choice after another. That being said, Jara's story is still a complicated one that challenges leadership and loyalty, and she has to make some life-altering decisions, like whether or not to commit genocide. Twice!

While Resurgence gives you the freedom to take a variety of approaches, there's no real option to play a renegade version of a Starfleet officer here. While some decisions appear more neutral or non-committal, the majority exist as canon Starfleet options—you can choose to take the advice of your fellow officers in an emergency, do exactly as your captain tells you, or you can just go your own way. Either way, Jara and Carter remain dedicated to Starfleet's principles.

Made up 

Resurgence introduces two new species: the hotari, a rocky-faced, hardy, and previously subservient species who mined on their planet's moon, Tau, and the alydians, a tall Kelpian/Kaminoan-looking species who are staunchly militaristic and who once seemed to control the hotari by forcing them to work in the mines that they technically owned. Jara and the crew of the Resolute are tasked with arbitration between the two races as they each seek control of the mines and the Dilithium within. Only, there's ancient, advanced Tkon technology and trickery at work here, and not everyone is who they say they are.

To catch you up, the Tkon is an ancient civilisation first mentioned in The Last Outpost in Season 1 of The Next Generation which, for the uninitiated, is the season with a beardless Riker who has a unique way of sitting on chairs. In it, Riker is challenged by a Tkon guardian, Portal 63, who releases the Enterprise and a Ferengi ship from its grasp once Riker defeats Portal's riddle and proves humanity's worth. The episode ends with Portal stating: "I will sleep until I'm needed again" which, for an episode that came out in 1987, was a hell of a foreshadowing. 

Fortunately, it takes a little more than a bombastic side eye to put me off a Trek game.

While it's always fun to see familiar faces in Star Trek, I was very excited to see the two new species specifically created for Resurgence. Coming up with a species name is one thing, but how do you create two races that slot seamlessly into the Star Trek universe—especially when the bulk of Star Trek's alien appearances were the result of heavy use of prosthetics? In lieu of prosthetics, we've got detailed alien faces courtesy of the Unreal Engine, but while the facial animations for the Aldyians and hotari are certainly emotive and dynamic, the human faces have a big Mass Effect 1 stray eyebrow energy and everyone constantly looks mildly confused and slightly annoyed. Fortunately, it takes a little more than a bombastic side eye to put me off a Trek game. Though the final frontier can look lovely, Resurgence has a definite last-gen look and has some off-putting low-quality textures appear throughout the environments. The running animation in particular is pretty awkward, not to mention slow as hell.

With the help of a hotari, Tylas, Jara uncovers a terrible secret—the hotari discovered a Tkon artifact and used it to seize control of the mines, but not before their minds were replaced by Tkon via a process called bioforming. And now everyone's at risk of becoming a Tkon, whether they are hotari, alydian or from Starfleet. If you think this sounds a lot like the Borg and their attempts to assimilate everyone, you'd be right—the word "futile" is uttered by the Tkon host leader, Galvan, more than once.

Petty (officer) squabbles 

Along with saving the galaxy, there are several interpersonal challenges Jara and Carter must overcome. Jara has the unenviable task of winning over her crewmates and choosing who lives, dies and gets promoted. Meanwhile, Carter gets to decide if he's going to shoot his girlfriend, put his best friend in the line of fire (several times) and make the good old Telltale-like choice of "Do I bother saving this person?" Standard Trek storytelling, then. Big decisions crop up everywhere, whether it's during a shootout or a meeting of bridge officers. In the corner, a little box with a character's face will glow grey, red or green to indicate whether they like what you said or not, and you can follow your choices from the main menu. 

As it's based on the post-TNG era, you can expect many easter eggs. Spock obviously makes an entrance in his role as ambassador, setting the tone for much of the opening half, but as the plot thickens and deciding who to trust becomes more of a challenge, Resurgence transforms into a real Star Trek story. And by a real story, I obviously mean it features a cameo from Jonathan Frakes, who reprises his role as Commander Riker, except he's captain of the Titan now as per the canon. I also got to throw in a cheeky "Engage!" when commanding the helm to take flight and you'll issue that command any time you're in charge of the Resolute, which obviously made the Trekkie in me very happy. 

Push the button 

What lets Resurgence down is the overuse of QTEs. In some sections, you'll be absolutely bombarded with them every few steps you take, and a lot of them are incredibly mundane, like simply pressing a button. And when a failure leads to a game over screen, you'll have to replay the entire section again, without the ability to even skip dialogue. While the QTEs undeniably add more tension, even when simply climbing a ladder, I would have liked the opportunity to do a little more wandering around. The phaser battle scenes had clunky controls, but if you keep dying like I did, you have the option to play in story mode which negates any damage, which was a welcome relief. Not every failed QTE results in a game over, though, as I learned during a few crucial moments, where I had to live with the consequences of my indecision.

In saying that, there's an exciting mix of dialogue choices, QTEs, transporter puzzles, shuttle flying and the phaser fights are quite arcade-like, but they are all a bit janky. The shuttle flying is boring and a little too simplistic, with a laborious flying through the ring sequence. Trying to aim with the phaser during shootouts was also a pain, thanks to the sluggish controls. There is no option to adjust the mouse or controller sensitivity and, all too often, panning the screen or aiming was too slow and time-consuming. The stealth sequences, however, are actually a lot of fun, and progression is saved at the right points so there were fewer do-overs—I'm looking at you, Hogwarts Legacy's forbidden section of the library. 

While Star Trek often has a superb musical accompaniment, Resurgence's soundtrack leaves something to be desired—it sounds a lot like midi tracks you'd find on a mid-2000s mobile phone, which is a bit of a disconnect from the usual orchestral backing from the shows and films. It did get a little frustrating hearing the same melodies on repeat as I had to redo failed sections, but that says more about me needing to get good at games than it does about whoever wrote the score.

Disappointingly, there are no real options to set up Resurgence to your own liking. There are no accessibility options—not even sensitivity as I mentioned—and screen resolution options are extremely limited. There's no option to rebind controls or turn off the motion blur which, at times, gave me a little motion sickness at times, and neither is there an option to unlock frame rate. While past Telltale games also had this lack of personalisation and accessibility options, it's frustrating to see that Dramatic Labs chose not to include these as it would have made the experience that much better.

The complement of the USS Resolute may not be the finest crew in Starfleet—not when Captain Riker is out there commanding the Titan—but Carter especially is now one of my most-loved Trek characters. It would have been easy to have you roleplaying as a well-established captain or officer, but in focusing on new characters and lower decks antics, Dramatic Labs have created something special. Resurgence takes the best of Telltale's flavour, makes it better and smashes it together with an excellent Star Trek story to create something that's fresh. Yes, characters unavoidably die and the story takes a few hours to really take off, but it's worth it—I haven't cried as much at a Star Trek story since Data sacrificed himself in Nemesis, so read into that what you will. 

The first three games Lauren played on PC were Star Wars: X-Wing, Zoo Tycoon and Barbie Fashion Designer, which explains her love of all things space, strategy and aesthetically pleasing. Lauren recently took over as PC Gamer's Guides Editor after three years of writing many dozens of Destiny 2 guides at VG247, as well as casually trying to shoehorn in The Witcher 3 articles wherever possible. When she's not trying to force everyone to play as a Warlock in Destiny 2, Lauren is either mastering her SEO abilities to help smash the competition, or patting one of her red sons.

Today's Wordle answer for Sunday, April 28

Remembering the weird HeroQuest novel that combined Beowulf, Discworld, Dying Earth, and American Psycho

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Star Trek: Resurgence is a narrative-driven adventure game created by former members of Telltale Games that delivers all the excitement and wonder of the Star Trek universe. Join the crew of the U.S.S. Resolute as first officer Jara Rydek and enlisted engineer Carter Diaz on a mission to prevent an eons-old and powerful force from engulfing everything in its wake!

You’ll be challenged by tough choices in Star Trek: Resurgence and through those choices, it becomes YOUR story. After playing, see how some of your decisions compare with those of other Star Fleet officers around the world HERE .

Read the comic book series and graphic novel - available from your favorite retailer.

On a windswept planet on the edge of Talarian space, a scientist working on groundbreaking warp technology has gone missing. Captain Solano, First Officer Sutherland, and the crew of the U.S.S. Resolute are sent on a top-secret mission to find Doctor Leah Brahms and retrieve her research before it falls into the wrong hands.

Star Trek: Resurgence was created by Dramatic Labs , a new studio comprised of former members of Telltale Games who have worked on genre-defining and award-winning titles including Telltale’s The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Batman.

Get updates, including release dates, exclusive first looks, and more by signing up for the Star Trek Resurgence mailing list .

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