Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force

First things first.

Are you going to like this game more if you are a Trekkie? Of course.

Can it stand on its own merits and be enjoyable for those not indoctrinated by the Federation? Absolutely.

Elite Force has amazing graphics(no hiccups or hitches on a PIII 900), great musical score (reminiscent in places of the DS9 opening music) and a tight knit story. As a FPS it has both challenging exploration puzzles and fast and furious shoot 'em ups. For the Trekkies in the crowd it has the added bonus of being able to interact with Voyager regulars. The Bonus pack add-on only enhances this by adding the exploration mode, which lets you roam freely on 11 decks of Voyager.

The only severe drawback the game has is its length. Put bluntly, its way too short. For gamers used to Halflife it will seem like your just warming up by the time you finish off the final boss. It's a shame because there is a lot more potential here that goes untapped.

This drawback, however, is not enough to pull the game off your purchase list. This is especially true since it has by now made its way to the discount bins. (I picked up my copy for $9 US.) For all those who feel that there haven't been enough people reduced to orange light in recent Star Trek episodes, this games for you.

The Star Trek merchandising bandwagon has been kicking around for a while now, and Voyager - Elite Forces is the latest in this long line of inter-galactic offerings.

The plot in Elite Forces is typical Voyager fare. Ship breaks down, ship needs new parts, parts located on a dangerous planet/space station/mysterious alien ship... hijinx ensue... The story and game settings are well varied and reflect the complexity of the overall plot. Indeed, Elite Force's best feature is it's story line and adherence to the classic TV Star Trek "feel".

Written around the ID Quake 3 engine, the levels and enemies on this First Person Shooter are superbly detailed and generate considerable atmosphere. I was reminded of First Contact more than a few times battling the Borg in EF. Of course with such impressive eye candy comes a price. Don't expect to be sucking down the frames playing on full detail, although truth be told the action never became so furious that I was hindered by the choppy play.

The weapons on offer are fairly uninspiring. There is of course the standard Federation issue hand-held phaser, the heavier assault rifle, and a number of other grenade, rocket launching and lightning gun clones borrowed from Quake 3. The main problem with the entire spread of weapons is that they all basically do the same thing in the same number of shots. Given that there is very little tactical advantage in using a varied selection as one might in Quake 3.. inevitably you play the entire game using the same gun.

The game itself is far too short, the levels are designed in the most rigid linear fashion I have ever seen in an FPS. You _must_ follow the same path, any attempted diversions or branch offs are stymied by barred doors and unyielding containment field. Consequently level completion can be achieved in surprisingly short time as it is simply a matter of following the corridor from point A to point B.

The first few levels offer a respite to the "keep shooting till their dead" strategy that dominates FPS type games. The mission objectives are cleverly designed and interact with the storyline well. However in later levels the gameplay returns to the enemy swarming, click the fire button as fast as possible action that we know all too well.

Elite Forces is not a bad game, it has a strong story line and eye popping graphics. The levels in the first half of the game are uniquely different and clever in their approach. Never the less, I felt a bit cheated at the speed in which I was able to finish the game and consequently the replayability factor is quite low. Similarly, the game play wasn't all that I had hoped for, some more battles with the Scavengers who showed a decent amount of AI, taking cover behind crates and the like would have been nice. The swarming berserker rush of mechanoids and oversized bug creatures in the latter half of the game loses lustre very quickly.

The game stays true to the TV series, something the nerds will appreciate. If that kind of thing doesn't bother you.. well, it's still good for a couple of days worth of entertainment..

Elite force is an absolute fantastic license game. Locations, designs, voice actors, and plot match the tone and scenery of the tv series perfectly.

On the other hand the underlying shooter is mediocre by today's standards. The AI is dumb, the maps are diverse but very linear, the gunplay doesn't feel or sound mighty and within just a few hours the whole experience is over.

All in all, when you're looking for a voyager experience it doesn't get any better than this. But don't expect any award winning shooter.

Well, I kinda liked it, though it took me less than 2 days to complete it the first time, and about 8 hours the second time. There are some strange plotholes in there, like why do the team have to beam in miles away from the destination, when it's perfectly possible to beam out from anywhere in the ships. I have to agree with Mr.Chan that towards the end, the game becomes a bit boring, with all sorts of nasty aliens charging directly at you, with no apparent advanced A.I operating them. Nevertheless, I give this game 8/10, because it actually entertained me, and I wanted to complete it, instead of just playing a couple of levels and then throwing in it in my "uncompleted games" CD-heap.

"Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force" is a nostalgic gem for both fans of the "Star Trek" universe and gamers who appreciate a well-crafted first-person shooter from the early 2000s. Developed by Raven Software and powered by the Quake 3 Arena engine, this game captures the essence of "Star Trek: Voyager" with surprising accuracy, despite the inherent violence of the FPS genre.

The narrative follows the Hazard Team, an elite security force on the USS Voyager, as they tackle various threats in a storyline that feels like an extended episode from the series. While the plot isn't groundbreaking, it's engaging enough and uses familiar characters voiced by the original cast, which is a significant plus. The presence of the beloved crew members adds a layer of authenticity and immersion that's hard to replicate.

Gameplay; here's where the game shines. The Quake 3 engine provides smooth, fast-paced action with a variety of weapons that fit the Star Trek lore, from phasers to photon launchers. The level design, while somewhat linear, is thoughtfully done, with environments that look and feel like they've been ripped straight from the show. The multiplayer aspect, dubbed "Holomatch," is particularly memorable, offering a blend of fun and creativity with custom maps and mods that kept the community active for years.

For its time, the graphics were impressive, with detailed ship interiors and enemy designs. The audio, especially the voiceovers, is spot-on, although the music doesn't include the iconic "Voyager" theme, which was a slight disappointment.

The campaign is on the shorter side, which might leave players wanting more. The AI can sometimes feel dated, with teammates occasionally getting in the way or enemies lacking challenge. There's also the issue of the Borg becoming less intimidating due to gameplay mechanics that make them too easy to defeat.

What really elevates this game is its community. The modding scene was vibrant, offering new missions, characters, and even a pseudo-RPG experience where players could role-play as part of the Voyager crew. Even now, it's possible to find this game on platforms like GOG, where it runs surprisingly well on modern systems with a bit of tweaking.

"Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force" is a testament to what can be achieved when you blend beloved sci-fi with a solid FPS framework. It's not without its flaws, but the love for "Star Trek," the engaging gameplay, and the community's dedication make it a standout title. If you're a fan of the series or just enjoy classic shooters, this game is worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time. It's a piece of gaming history that still holds up remarkably well, especially with the joy it brings back from the golden age of LAN parties and demo discs.