Product Description

Star Trek: Encounters is arcade style space combat that compiles 40 years of Star Trek. Take command of your starship and use five generations of ships, characters, and weapons from the classic sci-fi series. Blast through the universe, defending your vessel and demolishing your opponents' in fast action battles.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7532 in Video Games
• Brand: Bethesda
• Model: 12050
• Released on: 2006-10-03
• ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .53" h x 5.50" w x 7.50" l, .30 pounds

Features

• Five generations of ships at your control - The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise
• Authentic Trek universe locales - Experience the Trek you know with missions based on classic moments from the TV series and films
• Destroy your opponents with a wide array of weapons including Phasers, Pulse Cannons, Torpedoes, and more
• Choose from Skirmish Mode, Episode Mode, or go head-to-head against a friend in Multiplayer Mode

Customer Reviews

Think of it as a series of mini games
Pros:
- It's cheap.
- Play with different ships from different eras.
- Visuals and sound effects are decent for PS2. Explosions are quite satisfying.
- Provides skirmish (instant action), story, and multiplayer modes.
- A stripped down version of Starfleet Command where you can more easily:
a. fire photon torpoedoes and phasers.
b. drop mines.
c. beam away teams to capture enemy ships.
d. manage energy use between weapons, engines, sensors, etc.
- I was dubious about this game being advertised as an "arcade" version of Starfleet Command. But I think they managed to simplify things sufficiently well so the balance came out right- ie it wasn't like playing a Xevious-like top-down shooter.

Cons:
- Story mode has some very very very very frustrating levels involving flying through rings with a time limit. It must have taken me 2 dozen tries to get through this and it is a miracle my game controller isn't now permanently lodged in my screen.
- Just remember how much you paid for it vs how much work went into developing the game.

Good Star Trek diversion till 'Legacy' comes out
I was a little disappointed when I heard that the PS2 exclusive game 'Encounters' was going to be just a shoot-em-up. I was hoping for more of a Trek experiance, but I have to say that it's been enjoyable so far.

The gameplay is a top-down perspective on the battles, with each mission being a chapter in a much larger campaign. Missions include objectives such as destroy all enemy, recon missions, escort and rescue missions. Each campaign takes place in a different Trek era, from 'Enterprise' all the way to 'Voyager' (and the mysterious 'Soverign' campaign). You get a choice of two different weapons, 2 alternate functions (such as tractor beam, mines) and the ability to switch power around, diverting energy from one system to another, such as weapons, shields and engines. All the enemies from each series are present, from the Xindi to the ever-fave Klingons.

As far as graphics go, the effects are pretty but the scenery is bland. Since its a space-battle game only, the locales are pretty much all the same - some changes like nebula fields and debris strewn space mix it up a bit, but the battles and areas get repetitive and for some very tedious. However, once you get past the idea that the whole point of the game is simply space shooting (the story elements are tacked on) it can be pretty fun. The best part still remains the narration by William Shatner, even though he sounds like he's bored out of his mind.

At the budget price it's definitely one to pick up if your a Trekkie waiting for a good, fun Trek game.

ARCADE STYLE, FAST ACTION!, Trek Game
Play this game at the start with ONSLAUGHT mode
single player, and score above 500,000 points.
Even though you'll only have the NX-01 Enterprise, it can be done. When it's time to put your name, put in "4jstudios" in lowercase,
all ships and all mission levels will be unlocked, score one more time above 500,000 points, (pick voyager ship, fastest, small, long firing phasers) and when you enter your name a second time put "bethesda" this will give you all the character cards for ship powerups. Then you can play any level and any ship, without having to do the missions, (which some are tough). The secret to this game is to remember to use your L1 and L2 buttons which raise and lower your ship while fighting this makes it harder for enemies to lock on to you while you can lock on to them. Use your phasers to detonate the torpedoes that come at you, collect the "energy"powerups to last longer in battle. You can PLAY CO-OP
with a buddy. Use "4jstudios" and "bethesda" in LOWERCASE, I tried capital letters like the "net" sites show but it doesn't work.
For arcade style action shoot 'em up game with
a star trek theme this is a great game esp using the 2 codes to easily unlock everything
for only $14.99. Sometimes the music gets
irritating so put on a cd of something you like. ("star trek cd with a battle song works well!") This game doesn't have horrible glitches, it runs smoothly, only on a mission or two, was the camera angle a problem and you can manuever your ship a little and then it's ok again. If you can play Super Smash Melee type games etc, then you can play this game. I am a casual ordinary player, and always wanted a fun trek game, and esp with the 2 codes, I am amazed how much fun I'm having with this 2d top down view game, that has a limited 3d by
using the all important L1 & L2 buttons for up
and down. The secret to the chase mission "rings" is to fly using L1 or L2 flying high or low and hitting the rings at 10 o'clock or 2 0'clock positions.