Star Trek Fleet Command has been out for four years now, and in that time, the developers have worked hard to fill it to the brim with great content. Unlike a lot of other free-to-play titles, you don't need to worry that all the good stuff is locked behind a paywall - there are loads of missions and strategic choices to make without ever having to enter your card details. At the end of a long day, it's always fun to take a step away from your life and into the shoes of a Starfleet commander.
There have been loads of Star Trek videogames over the years, from gem-based puzzle RPGs to stories that span multiple Trekkie timelines, but Star Trek: Fleet Command stands out as having something for everybody. In a nutshell, it's a strategy-driven MMO that sees you take control of a whole fleet of ships with the power to tip the scales in a galaxy teetering on the edge of war. You've got Federation, Klingons, Romulans, and various other factions battling for dominance across the Alpha and Beta quadrants, and you and every other player are caught amidst all that. It's a game that focuses on cooperation (which, of course, is very fitting for Star Trek), and the characters and ships that you'll unlock and encounter along the way are drawn from many different eras of the show, from TOS to Lower Decks.
Starting out in Star Trek: Fleet Command
You'll start with just one ship and a base, but your mission is clear: build your fleet, recruit legendary officers, and boldly explore strange new worlds. At its core, Star Trek Fleet Command is a collecting game that honors the franchise. The gameplay isn't exactly complex, but getting the chance to grow a fleet with ships like the Botany Bay (from the Wrath of Khan), to the USS Franklin (the lost ship from Star Trek Beyond), and of course, the legendary USS Enterprise, is sure to put a smile on your face.
In some respects, it's kind of like collecting action figures or trading cards, as looking over your large collection of officers and ships feels really satisfying. The knowledge that each of them is tied to one of the many stories that have been told within the Star Trek universe just helps to further enhance the joy of unlocking more and more things.
An ever-evolving world
As you gaze out across your map of the galaxy, you'll see situations arise that require Starfleet intervention. Perhaps there's a planet in need of medical supplies during an epidemic. Maybe someone needs protection on their trade routes due to Borg activity. Loads of these little missions pop up, and at first, you're not going to have the capacity to answer all of these calls. Though the more you do, the more resources you unlock, the more ships and officers you get, and of course, this then enables you to complete more missions (with new things to do added all the time).
Outside of your central hub, Star Trek Fleet Command utilizes point-and-click mechanics. You'll engage in battles with NPCs and other players that unfold in real time, but the underlying system is turn-based and driven by ship stats, officer abilities, and strategic matchups. What this means is that you get something that, at times, can be cerebral, but which features several action scenes for you to engage with, much like the series itself. It's simple to pick up, but packed with depth once you factor in positioning, crew synergy, and the combat triangle.
Why now is the time to play Star Trek: Fleet Command
The game has had a winning formula at its heart ever since it launched, so what makes now a good time to start playing? Well, a big part of it comes down to the sheer bulk of content that's been added over the years. When it first launched, it was really just a tie-in for the 2009 movie and its sequels, but since then, it's become a behemoth that has something for every variety of Star Trek fan.
There are special events that seem to pop up all the time, which not only give you new missions to complete (based on totally new scenarios), but also usually come with new officer characters to unlock. It's always exciting to wait and see which characters are going to be used next. With hundreds of thousands of other players all making their own way across the cosmos, there's always something exciting to see or do when you drop into its universe.
Latest Star Trek Fleet Command updates
The most recent addition to Star Trek Fleet Command is the new Flashpoint arc. This is based on Strange New Worlds and includes a whole bunch of new stuff, including:
- New officers, like T'Pring and Scotty, as they appear in SNW
- The USS Vengeance is an unlockable ship
- New missions to complete
- New resource to acquire
So, are you ready to command your own starship? Jump into Star Trek Fleet Command and explore a galaxy full of adventure, strategy, and iconic characters. Whether you're teaming up with friends or forging alliances with strangers, there's always something to do. Download Star Trek Fleet Command now.