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Star Trek: Klingon Academy

Score: 90%
ESRB:
Publisher: Interplay
Developer: Interplay
Media: CD/1
Players: 1 - 8
Genre: Strategy

Graphics & Sound:

I will admit, I am a trekker and proud of it. Because of this, I was very excited to start playing Klingon Academy. I have played various Star Trek titles in the past and most of the time I was disappointed in either the graphics, or the controls, or the story line. None of this happened with this game. I have to rate the graphics in Klingon Academy as some of the best that I have seen in space combat games. You will fight your battles in such environments as asteroid belts, planetary rings, and even in a black hole and each one of these environments affects your ship in a different ways. Everything is highly detailed, even to the photon torpedoes that look like they are right out of one the movies. The soundtrack is enhanced with a lot of Klingon type operatic orchestrations, and 3D explosions that rock your computer desk. Some of the talent they got for this game is world class. Christopher Plummer reprises his role as General Chang, and Michael Dorn also appears.

Gameplay:

Borrowing its concept from Starfleet Academy, Klingon Academy takes you through the ropes to teach you the fundamental concepts in becoming a Klingon captain and fleet commander. What is great is that you get to cross over to the other side - to be the bad guy. Actors will sometimes tell you that bad guys are a lot more fun to play than the good guys are. From the main menu, you can choose from a few options. You can start a brand new single player game, join or create a multi-player game, or enter the simulator where you can perfect your battle tactics against one or numerous enemies of your choosing. Choose from various warships, shuttles, frigates, and cruisers, each with there own specialized weapons. During gameplay, you will captain your vessel and even command a fleet of vessels to attack various targets. One situation you might encounter is that you are going to gun for the main target, and you might want a couple of other ships to cover your butt. During your game you will be given missions where you do things like search for cloaked ships, defend against enemy craft, and of course, destroy your enemies. You will need all your senses, all your wits to win your battles.

You will not only control your ship with your joystick or keyboard, but it will be up to you to give orders (through a numbered menu system) to your various bridge stations such as engineering, helm, medical, and weapons. This is important because in battle, you might need some extra effort from your crew in repairing the ship, or you may need more power to the shields. Using the various numbered menus for each station, you can allocate whatever resources you deem appropriate. One bit of advice, to withdraw from a battle to repair is NOT worthy of a Klingon warrior.


Difficulty:

Klingon Academy is very challenging. I had the game on the easiest setting and it took me a few tries just to get past the first mission. After a little while, you will get the hang of watching all the displays and knowing what needs to be done at what time. When should I send another vessel to take care of that Federation scum? One thing that will help you is to memorize some of the number combinations to command your crew. For example to move out at Impulse speed, the number combination is 2 - 4 - 1. After you memorize these combinations, you can concentrate in maneuvering in battle.

After you get good, raise the difficulty, and see if you are truly worthy to be a Klingon warrior


Game Mechanics:

The best way to experience Klingon Academy is a joystick and keyboard combination. You will control the direction of your ship and the shooting of your weapons with the joystick and you will command your crew with your keyboard using the number menu system. Engineering is menu one. Engineering has various numbered options, which, like I said earlier, will be helpful to memorize. You will also use your mouse in the game menus. Enjoy the challenge!

-Wickserv, GameVortex Communications
AKA Eric Wickwire

Minimum System Requirements:



233 Mhz Pentium II or faster running 95/98, 64 MB RAM, DirectX compatible video card with 8 MB VRAM, DirectX compatible sound card, DirectX 7 or later, 500-MB free hard drive space, 12X CD-ROM drive or better, Microsoft compatible mouse, Multi-player: 56.6 Modem connection minimum, Supports ADSL & Cable Modems, 6 players internet, 8 players LAN
 

Test System:



GX-450xl running Windows 98, 256 RAM, Creative Sound Blaster 64CPCI with Boston Acoustic Digital Media Theatre, STB Velocity 4400 with RIVA TNT chip, DirectX 7, 32 Mb RAM, 6X24 DVD-ROM.

Windows Interstate '82 Windows Matchbox Adventures in Time

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated