STAR TREK: ARMADA
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Phasers on stun chief, it doesn't suck!

By DOUG McARTHUR

This game is for all those Star Trek fans that love the series and have been waiting for a good simulation of their favourite subject to come out. Those who held their breath when Birth of the Federation came out and then released it with a sigh because that game didn't quite reach their expectations may now rejoice.

Fans shouldn't have to suffer the same fate again with Activision's latest Star Trek game - Armada. You don't need to be a Trekkie to enjoy Armada - those who love Starcraft, Red Alert and other strategy games will like the similarities.

Armada is quick to grab the eye by having Federation, Klingon, Romulan and Borg empires at your disposal. Using the Borg has never been done before and they are great fun to play. Trekkies, in fact, are going to love the chance. They will, however, be a little disappointed that the Dominion has not been included for players to control. However, you can fight it and even take over their shipyards and other stations.

Taking over great tracts of the universe is the aim of the game although some things are not worth bothering about. There are these organic species that are just useless blobs and are not worthy of being assimilated. In fact, better to end their constant annoyances by obliterating them. Another painful species is the Ferengi. Imagine this, you're being kicked by the Borg but manage to fight them off, now a Romulan fleet de-cloaks and finishes off your defenses and then leaves you to be wiped out by the Borg when they return. Your only way to survive is to use your freighter to collect more dilithium, but hold on... Yes, you have guessed it, the scheming Ferengi dogs have committed Grand Theft Auto on your dilithium freighter.

The storyline for single player follows the series, with the Borg still after the particle Omega but the Romulans have beaten them to it. The Dominion war is over, but they are still around with the Breen. Though this game has finally pushed far enough forward to give the Trekkies what they want, there are areas that have been bent to make the game balance better - for example, the extremely powerful Borg have been weakened.

One of the great concepts for the game is the ability to salvage derelict vessels, beam across Scotty and take the helm. You can even board and try to take over enemy stations or ships once their shields are down. It is also great fun using one enemy to fight another enemy. Huh? Also repair your vessels in metaphasic radiation nebulas, or perish in volatile electric current nebula while trying to hide from enemy forces, or jump from one side of the sector to another through wormholes. Armada is very much an improved version of Birth of the Federation, with zoomed-in graphics and a much easier interface. It is definitely fun for the whole collective.

ORIGINALITY 75%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 80%
PLAYABILITY 85%
ADDICTION 80%
ENJOYMENT 85%