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Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary is a computer game
by Interplay
, based upon the Star Trek
universe. The game chronicles various missions of James T. Kirk
and his crew of the USS Enterprise
. Its 1993 sequel, Star Trek: Judgment Rites
, continues and concludes this two-game series, which together may be seen as the final two years of the USS Enterprises five-year mission.
Game play is broken down into several "episodes" reminiscent of the Star Trek television series (the game is portrayed as "the lost fourth season").
Much like the away parties of the series, the game puts the player in control of as many as four characters at once. The adventure team consists of the series' main characters, Captain James T. Kirk
, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy, and an occasional "red-shirted
" security officer, who is the first to be killed should the player make a fatal misstep. Sulu
, Scotty
, Uhura
, and Chekov
would have to wait for the sequel, Star Trek: Judgment Rites
, to appear on the away missions.
Space combat involves maneuvering the Enterprise and firing her weapons at enemy starships. In Star Trek: 25th Anniversary the player can assign Scotty
to repair the ship's systems (e.g., prop up the shields, restore weapon functionality, or repair the scanners to remove static from the main screen). Throughout the game, there are only a few instances, such as the final battle, where the player must engage in combat.
Destroying the Enterprise or killing one of the main characters ends the game, requiring the player to restart from the last saved game. This was mandated by Paramount, which had final approval rights on the game's contents. Getting a "red shirt
" killed may be accomplished in almost every episode and will not end the game, but will lower the mission score.
At the end of each mission, players received a message from Starfleet Command on how well they have done (100% being perfect and less than 50% is considered a botched mission). It is possible to complete missions while failing at every objective, giving an unsatisfying ending. At the end of the game, the player receives a final evaluation from Starfleet Command. A "Very High" score results in the crew being granted shore leave, while a sufficiently low score results in Captain Kirk's demotion, removal from command of the Enterprise, or a similarly undesirable ending.
The original cast of Star Trek, including William Shatner
, Leonard Nimoy
, DeForest Kelley
, James Doohan
, George Takei
, Nichelle Nichols
, and Walter Koenig
, provided their voices for the CD version of the game. The minor character, con man Harry Mudd, also makes a guest appearance in one of the game's episodes (though the original actor, Roger C. Carmel
, did not voice the role, as he had died in 1986).
The game contains a copy-protection system that asks the player to consult the game's manual to find out what star system to warp to on the navigation map. Warping to the wrong system sends the player into either Klingon
or Romulan
neutral zones, and initiates an extremely difficult battle that often ends in the destruction of the Enterprise.
All episode titles were announced in-game by DeForest Kelley
.
In the CD-ROM edition of the game, following the conclusion of the last mission is a title card memorializing Gene Roddenberry
with a short voice over narration by William Shatner praising his life.
The ratings in the magazines published at that time, were fairly well over all.
Personal computer game
A PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer, rather than on a video game console or arcade machine...
by Interplay
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
, based upon the Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe. The game chronicles various missions of James T. Kirk
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
and his crew of the USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
. Its 1993 sequel, Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites is a computer game first produced by Interplay in 1993, featuring the original cast of the classic Star Trek in a series of new adventures, including one featuring Trelane, the omnipotent child from the original episode "The Squire of Gothos"...
, continues and concludes this two-game series, which together may be seen as the final two years of the USS Enterprises five-year mission.
Background and gameplay
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (a combination of flight simulator and adventure game) was the first critical and popular hit in the Star Trek computer gaming franchise.Game play is broken down into several "episodes" reminiscent of the Star Trek television series (the game is portrayed as "the lost fourth season").
Much like the away parties of the series, the game puts the player in control of as many as four characters at once. The adventure team consists of the series' main characters, Captain James T. Kirk
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy, and an occasional "red-shirted
Redshirt (character)
A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
" security officer, who is the first to be killed should the player make a fatal misstep. Sulu
Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by George Takei in the original Star Trek series, Sulu also appears in the animated Star Trek series, the first six Star Trek movies, one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and in numerous books, comics, and video games...
, Scotty
Montgomery Scott
Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is a Scottish engineer in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by James Doohan in the original Star Trek series, Scotty also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics", and in numerous...
, Uhura
Uhura
Nyota Uhura is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, and the 2009 film Star Trek...
, and Chekov
Pavel Chekov
Pavel Andreievich Chekov is a Russian Starfleet officer in the Star Trek fictional universe. Walter Koenig portrayed Chekov in the original Star Trek series and first seven Star Trek films; Anton Yelchin portrayed the character in the 2009 film Star Trek.-Origin:Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry...
would have to wait for the sequel, Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites is a computer game first produced by Interplay in 1993, featuring the original cast of the classic Star Trek in a series of new adventures, including one featuring Trelane, the omnipotent child from the original episode "The Squire of Gothos"...
, to appear on the away missions.
Space combat involves maneuvering the Enterprise and firing her weapons at enemy starships. In Star Trek: 25th Anniversary the player can assign Scotty
Montgomery Scott
Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is a Scottish engineer in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by James Doohan in the original Star Trek series, Scotty also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics", and in numerous...
to repair the ship's systems (e.g., prop up the shields, restore weapon functionality, or repair the scanners to remove static from the main screen). Throughout the game, there are only a few instances, such as the final battle, where the player must engage in combat.
Destroying the Enterprise or killing one of the main characters ends the game, requiring the player to restart from the last saved game. This was mandated by Paramount, which had final approval rights on the game's contents. Getting a "red shirt
Redshirt (character)
A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
" killed may be accomplished in almost every episode and will not end the game, but will lower the mission score.
At the end of each mission, players received a message from Starfleet Command on how well they have done (100% being perfect and less than 50% is considered a botched mission). It is possible to complete missions while failing at every objective, giving an unsatisfying ending. At the end of the game, the player receives a final evaluation from Starfleet Command. A "Very High" score results in the crew being granted shore leave, while a sufficiently low score results in Captain Kirk's demotion, removal from command of the Enterprise, or a similarly undesirable ending.
The original cast of Star Trek, including William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
, Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
, DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley
Jackson DeForest Kelley was an American actor known for his iconic roles in Westerns and as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy of the USS Enterprise in the television and film series Star Trek.-Early life:...
, James Doohan
James Doohan
James Montgomery "Jimmy" Doohan was a Canadian character and voice actor best known for his role as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the television and film series Star Trek...
, George Takei
George Takei
George Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the...
, Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols is an American actress, singer and voice artist. She sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before turning to acting...
, and Walter Koenig
Walter Koenig
Walter Marvin Koenig is an American actor, writer, teacher and director, known for his roles as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek and Alfred Bester in Babylon 5. He wrote the script for the 2008 science fiction legal thriller InAlienable.-Early life:...
, provided their voices for the CD version of the game. The minor character, con man Harry Mudd, also makes a guest appearance in one of the game's episodes (though the original actor, Roger C. Carmel
Roger C. Carmel
Roger Charles Carmel was an American actor.Of his hundreds of roles, he is best remembered for playing the flamboyant and hapless criminal Harry Mudd on the original Star Trek. Other memorable roles include the accountant Doug Wesley on The Dick Van Dyke Show and Colonel Gumm on Batman...
, did not voice the role, as he had died in 1986).
The game contains a copy-protection system that asks the player to consult the game's manual to find out what star system to warp to on the navigation map. Warping to the wrong system sends the player into either Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
or Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
neutral zones, and initiates an extremely difficult battle that often ends in the destruction of the Enterprise.
Game episodes
The Episodes are as follows:- Demon World: Settlers belonging to a religious sect have reported being attacked by "Demons" near their mines. Kirk must discover the truth behind these "Demons".
- Hijacked: The USS Masada has not reported in. Upon investigation, The Enterprise discovers that the ship has been captured by Elasi Pirates and are holding the crew hostage. Kirk must discover a way to recover the ship and crew unharmed.
- Love's Labor Jeopardized: Romulans have crossed the Neutral zone and attacked the Federation Research Station Ark 7. Unfortunately, the attack has created a biohazard situation that Enterprise crew must deal with, as well as the Romulans.
- Another Fine Mess.....: When responding to a distress call from a ship under attack by pirates, the Enterprise discovers none other than Harry Mudd is involved. He is traced to a derelict alien spacecraft. The Enterprise Crew must discover the connection between the derelict, the pirates and Harry Mudd.
- Feathered Serpent: A Klingon Battle Fleet is about to cross into federation space, in pursuit of a "War Criminal". The Enterprise must find this "War Criminal" to prevent a war.
- That Old Devil Moon: Strange power readings have been detected from a large asteroid approaching a pre-warp star system. The Enterprise discovers an ancient nuclear missile base that doesn't realize that the war ended 1000 years earlier, and must prevent it from destroying the native civilization a second time.
- Vengeance: The Enterprise, responding to a distress call from USS Republic, finds it nearly destroyed. Kirk must figure out what destroyed the ship and stop those responsible from striking again. Unlike the other missions, this mission is longer and more complex in the CD version of the game; the original version of this episode consists only of a brief away team segment followed by an extensive ship-to-ship combat sequence. These two different versions are available on the CD version by a dialog choice at the beginning of the episode.
All episode titles were announced in-game by DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley
Jackson DeForest Kelley was an American actor known for his iconic roles in Westerns and as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy of the USS Enterprise in the television and film series Star Trek.-Early life:...
.
In the CD-ROM edition of the game, following the conclusion of the last mission is a title card memorializing Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer...
with a short voice over narration by William Shatner praising his life.
Reception
A UK magazine gave the PC version a score of 940 out of 1000, praising graphics, sound and gameplay and in particular the game's authenticity.The ratings in the magazines published at that time, were fairly well over all.
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