In either instance, heavy combat will be required. Indeed, the two single-player victory choices deal with domination (60 percent of the entire galaxy's population and solar systems) and vendetta (you must completely eliminate the two major races pre-set as the mortal enemies of your race). Although you can control any of the five major races in the game, each with specific qualities, attributes, strengths, weaknesses, agendas, and attitudes, it will become necessary at some stage to defend or conquer other races.
These limitations loom large in respect to the game's most glaring problem: over-emphasis on combat.įor those fans who followed the original series and want to conduct business in terms of peaceful exploration of new frontiers, be advised that having a significant and powerful starship fleet in Birth of the Federation is mandatory. For those who like computer-assisted help in handling small details and requirements of day-to-day operation, the game's AI management is somewhat limited in a couple of cognitive areas, such as planet development and resource management. If you're a true Trekker who doesn't mind rolling up his sleeves and diving deep into the machinations of running a universe from nearly every conceivable aspect, Birth of the Federation will certainly be an immersive and satisfying experience. The micro-management is a double-edged sword. The first requirement is important because the game's roots are firmly embedded in the realm of The Next Generation and, as such, contain no references to the original series other than generalities like starships, the Federation, and "boldly going where no one has gone before." The enthusiasm factor is imperative since it impacts on the amount of enjoyment derived from the second aspect - micro-management. To get the most enjoyment from this title, the player must satisfy two essential criteria: they must be familiar with and enthusiastic about the Star Trek: The Next Generation series, and they must enjoy micro-management carried out on a very large scale. This is a case where the preponderance of gameplay is solid enough to tip the scales to the positive side and should appeal to most fans of the Star Trek universe and keep them playing for a fairly long time.
Not all of them are good, unfortunately, but all is not lost. In addition to being one of the longer titles in strategy-gaming history, Star Trek: The Next Generation - Birth of the Federation has a few other notable aspects.