Developers: Starcommand, LLC
Release: 2013
Systems: Android, iOS
Genre: Strategy, Space, Action
Retail Price: $3.00
Well getting started, this will be my first video game review so the format may be a bit iffy. Star Command is a space exploration and combat, in the fashion of classic rogue games made in the early 90's. The game features outdated and pixelated art, in a stylized manner as throwbacks to the roots that sprouted the game. The question remains, whether or not it lives up to its hype.
From the beginning, Star Command immediately gives the feel of a space combat with elements of diplomacy. Despite initial expectations of a open universe to play in, the diplomacy elements completely fall apart and devolve into immature humor that just leaves room for disappointment. While the story was lacking though, how does the exploration, customization, and action hold up?
While exploration does exist, the factor is limited greatly. If you were enthralled by the Star Trek look, expecting to send down away teams and explore, you'll be sorely disappointed. The entirety of the game focuses around the space combat which revolves around defending your ship from away teams while simultaneously keeping your ship intact and weapons manned.
Due to the never ending waves of canon-fodder attacking you, it quickly becomes difficult multitasking in order to survive in each encounter. At the same time, while the chips are always out of your favor, the game maintains difficulty without it being insurmountable. Though bewarned, if you're bad at the 3 time based mini-games you must play in order to fire weapons, the battles can go on for seemingly hours.
Overall the game while it has potential and is a step above the common game you may find on the android market, it never does fufill the limits it seems to aspire for. The universe feels surprisingly small and bland despite how many hours I spent exploring it, and the customization while large, is quite limiting.
Score: 7/10
Star Command has its amusing points, and packs a lot of fun replayability. Unfortunately it seems that it's lacking in every manner. Perhaps in a few patches down the line, we can see content that makes the game feel truly like a lone battleship treading an open universe, carving its own path.
