Star Trek: Encounters (PS2)

[Jobydrone]

Does anyone have any information on this title?  It was apparently released yesterday for the Sony Playstation 2, but it seems to have flown completely under the radar (or should I say fully cloaked) of all the major gaming sites and stores.   This story on IGN:  http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/736/736737p1.html, was released on monday with the first news I have heard about this game, with the information that it was shipping next day.  I haven't been able to find any more info about it.  None of the stores I called had any information about it either, other than one Gamestop that said it was a twenty dollar title and they weren't sure if they were going to carry it.  It looks to be similar to the description of the ST game coming out for the Nintendo DS next month, which I intend to buy.

[Jobydrone]

I guess no one has heard of this game.  They seem to be releasing it with zero promotion at all, which sometimes means that the game didn't test well, but I think, based on some message board posts on gamefaqs, this might be a hidden gem, especially considering the price.  William Shatner does the voiceovers!  It's only 15 bucks at Gamecrazy!  Check out this post from a guy named commander adama: 

Hello all...

I just got Star Trek: Encounters, last night and I would like to post my first impressions.

I began playing in EPISODE mode. The game begins in the "ENTERPRISE" time line. I'd like to point out that the design of the game does a very good job of unifying the entire STAR TEK universe.

It begins with a training mode that really prepares you to use all of the controls, which are unlike any space battle game I have played in the past. Once you figure out the control system, the fun begins!

Even though it is essentially a space-battle game, it has a very unique feel to it. I feel that It captures what I've always wanted to see in a STAR TREK game, which is to control a starship while still seeing it fly around on screen as you might see it in action on an episode of the TV show. The ships systems are accurately portrayed â€" weapons, shields, engines and sensors can all be boosted or paired back if needed to power a more important system during game play with the left 4 way button controls.

The weapons control system is fun to use by aiming with the right analog stick and using r2 to lock phasers and r1 to fire.

You gain more ship powers by unlocking "Cards" that contain key ship personnel. This will make the game more interesting as you unlock more features.

So far, I am still in the "ENTERPRISE" timeline and look forward to continuing though the game.

Having William Shatner do the voice over on cut scenes is a nice touch.

The music is not any current or classic series and created specifically this game but it does sound very STAR TREKESQUE. It is however very repetitive.

The sound effects are dead-on.

The graphics are solid, but I would have liked to see the ship designations on the main saucer sections.

The load times are not short.

The cut scenes are not spectacular and you cannot skip over them (At least during the ENTERPRISE missions).

The playability, once you figure out the controls, is very enjoyable. It is a game that in my opinion has OLD SCHOOL VALUES and NEW SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY. And that's a very good thing.

The price: $14.99 at GAMECRAZY. It's great!

Star Trek Encounters is the Star Trek game that I've been wanting to see since "Star Trek - Strategic Operations Simulator" from SEGA in 1982. It unifies the franchise and makes STAR TREK fun again!]

I don't know about the rest of you gamers, but as soon as I find a store that has this game, I am picking it up.

[Rico]

This sounds a lot like one of the new Trek games coming out soon.  Is it like that (Tactics?).  I thought that game was suppose to have all the Captain voices in it.  If anyone finds out more let us know.

[Jobydrone]

There's a handheld version that seems similar to this one, and a RTS called Legacy for the Xbox 360 and PC that has all the Captains in it, both coming out in late Oct/early Nov.

[Jobydrone]

I went down to Gamecrazy and they had three or four copies, and it was indeed on sale for 14.99.  Problem is they are blue backed discs, which my older model PS2 will not play, so I did not pick it up.  I'll probably wait for the DS version and the 360 game to come out next month, and just ge those, but if someone plays this game and raves about it I'll have to see about getting my PS2 refurbished or something.

[Jen]

Sounds like a cool game Joby. I hadn't heard of it until your post.

[Riskygodfather]

Dear Joby, about the blue backed discs, my PS2 started having the same problem, but there are guides on google to fix it! Your PS2 isn't gone yet! I suggest trying to fix it as there are games (like encounters) with blue backed discs

[Jobydrone]

I know about the fix, I actually was following the steps once or twice a month to adjust the lens of my PS2 in order to speed up loading and play those non DVD games, but after a while it became not worth the hassle and I just made sure any game I rented or bought was a DVD game (non-blue backed.)  When I learned that Encounters was to be a CD game I considered cracking it open again but other factors outweighed that decision and I wound up trading in my ps2 so now I don't have one at all.  To make a long story short, I needed a new XBox 360, after dealing with the Microsoft repair center for the last eight months and them continually sending me broken consoles through their warranty service I decided to buy a new console outright by trading in the last broken one they sent me along with my PS2 and almost every video game I own.  Actually don't get me started on this because it is a source of much anger and frustration for me.

I will be playing Star Trek Legacy for my 360 next month and Tactical Assault for my DS when it comes out on Friday.  Encounters will have to go by the wayside, for now.  Maybe in a couple years when I get a PS3 I'll pick it up for 5 bucks somewhere.

[Trekkygeek]

I bought Star Trek:Encounters for twenty quid and it was a total waste of money. I spent half an hour of my life which I cannot ever get back, bouncing, swearing and nearly throwing my controller. The graphics are basic, the controls are suited for beings with twelve or more fingers, the size of your ship is tiny and it goes to show that developers on the whole cannot make a decent Star Trek game. I am fuming as th game store will not take it back. I dare say they had a celebration when old muggins here actually bought a copy. It was crap. :ohmy

[Jobydrone]

This is a budget title here in the states, sold new for cheaper than most used games at $15.00.  How much is twenty quid converted to US dollars?

[PepperDude]

When, oh when will a good Star Trek game be made?  Wasnt' the last good Star Trek game Elite Force 2?  That was like three or four years ago.  That's way too long.

[Jobydrone]

I thought the new 360 game was pretty good.  It got a bad rap from the reviewers, and iI'll admit it was far from perfect, but I have been and still am enjoying it.  Not much can drag me away from WoW these days as far as gaming goes, but I would say Legacy is a pretty fun diversion, if not for the voice acting alone.

[Trekkygeek]

This is a budget title here in the states, sold new for cheaper than most used games at $15.00.  How much is twenty quid converted to US dollars?

£20 is about $40. Its approximately double the £ rate. We get a bad deal over here. Brand new Playstation 2 games are about £40. The platinum collection sells for £20.
All DS Lite games sell for £30, except for the budget ones which still sell for £20
The new Playstation 3 is for sale in one store for £424, thats nearly $850. Totally outrageous. When I buy my DS Lite, I may start importing games from the States, so if anyone has any games they would like to sell?  :cheers

[Jobydrone]

There is not a single DS game worth what they are asking you to pay over there.  If you can't import games at the US price then I would say forget it completely.  As much as I like (not love) my DS, there's no way I would pay anywhere close to $60 US dollars for a single DS game, which is sounds like you are having to pay across the pond.  The best thing about the DS, aside from its portability, is the fact that new games are reasonably priced over here. 

[Darkmolerman]

This is a budget title here in the states, sold new for cheaper than most used games at $15.00.  How much is twenty quid converted to US dollars?

only 15.00 dollars?