Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

September 12, 1997(29 years ago)·Full Release

Interplay

Publisher: Interplay, MacPlay

★

7.0

4 user ratings

★

7.0

4 critic ratings

★★★★★★★★★★

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VOTES

Genres: Simulator, Strategy

Platforms:PC Mac

Action Science fiction Single player Multiplayer Co-operative First personESRBUSK 12

Summary

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a PC-based Star Trek simulation game that immerses players in the daily life of a Starfleet cadet. The goal of the game is for the player to master the fundamentals of starship piloting, ultimately working toward the rank of captain and commanding their own vessel. The game features a combat simulation mode where players can choose and command various starships in battle. It was also the first video game to utilize free-motion CGI filming. The in-game cinematic sequences, directed by Martin Denning, were a major advancement in combining CGI with live-action elements.

Storyline

The player assumes the role of human cadet David Forester, the leader of a cadet team at Starfleet's Command College in San Francisco. To progress, the player must complete a series of simulated missions, with the option to face the legendary Kobayashi Maru test. These scenarios go beyond basic combat, including a reenactment of Captain Kirk's tense and nearly catastrophic encounter with Khan Noonien Singh, a lesson Kirk himself acknowledges as a cautionary tale for cadets to avoid repeating his costly error. Between missions, Forester must manage his crew effectively, resolving interpersonal conflicts and maintaining team cohesion by selecting the appropriate dialogue choices during cutscenes. The cadet crew is composed of a Vulcan science officer named Sturek, an Andorian communications officer named Vanda M'Giia, a reserved and quiet human engineer named Robin Brady, with Trill Jana Akton piloting and human Geoff Corin handling navigation. Throughout the game, players may uncover the schemes of the Vanguard — a radical terrorist faction seeking to overthrow the Federation and place Kirk in a position of authoritarian rule — and probe the growing hostilities near the Klingon Neutral Zone. However, failure to make the correct decision in certain full-motion video sequences could result in Forester's expulsion from the Academy in disgrace.