- Original Release: 1997
- Developer: Interplay
- Publisher: Interplay
- Platform: PC
A game that will be sharing a name with a Star Trek show. Starfleet Academy is sort of a reimagining of Starfleet Academy Bridge Simulator on SNES/32X, as it features the same style of gameplay and some of the same cadets, but with a new story, new characters and a completely different set of missions.
The first things that strikes you is the live action cutscenes. These often look odd as none of the actors were filmed on set, they were instead filmed separately and imposed onto the backgrounds. The cutouts can be very rough at times, but its somehow still very charming, especially as everyone is taking it seriously, including William Shatner, Walter Koenig, and George Takei in their last official live action appearances. You also get to make choices which impacts your ratings – if you don’t make the right ones, you won’t get to play a bonus mission at the end of the game.
The game uses a mixture of a joystick (or controller) and keyboard and it works quite well, even if it takes a bit of getting used to. It offers a lot more control than the SNES/32X games, but at the same time it also feels like you’re doing everything yourself instead of commanding a crew. The combat is still only forward phasers/torpedoes, but it feels a lot more fluid than any of the previous space combat, and it helped out by a full screen view that displays all needed information.
While this further separates you from the crew, it’s very much required for playing the game. The missions are almost entirely combat related, with a few where you can avoid encounters. None of the missions paritcuarly stood out to me, other than one where you casually pass through the Galactic Barrier with a really nice cutscene.
Starfleet Academy is an interesting game, especially with the cutscenes. The gameplay can be frustrating at times (especially as you can very quickly have systems knocked out, a big pain if it’s impulse or weapons), but for the most part it’s fun to play.
Where to Get
How to play Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Windows 11
The GoG/Steam versions work on Windows 11
Browse Games By Year
1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Loved the fact that you could tractor a starbase and go to warp with it 😁
Type CAR while playing as a bird if prey and you can fire while cloaked.
This was my favorite Star Trek game before Star Trek Online. And I’m wanting to play it on my atras in the future however until I can get the controls figured out it won’t be happening for a while
This is the one! I had this game, and I booted it up a lot as a kid. But as a 7 year old used to playing Mario 64 and the like, I could never figure out what I was supposed to do. Might have to see if I can find this again.
I had that a while ago. I think there were some expansions too with extra missions and cameos by Walter Koenig and George Takei.
Also, I remember the crew playing through a simulation and the Vulcan receiving a psychic attack of some kind which felt like poor writing.
I loved this game as a kid!! The cutscenes are great but also so much experimentation you could do… I used to try to destroy starbase by tractoring other starships into it (Vadic stole it from me!) and firing at it. Never succeeded though 🤣🖖
I’ve fond memories of this game. Never beat it, though. A certain butterfly ship kept trouncing me. Always did wish there were more noncombat options, tho.
I still have this on a White Label version. It’s over multiple CDs. It’s a big game for its time.
Interplay produced some FANTASTIC Trek games. I was particularly fond of the Starfleet Command games. Closest thing we’ve ever gotten to computer Star Fleet Battles. I even have a short story published on the SFC2 bonus disk.