The new 3D camera system actually works fairly well, but goes sadly untapped. But playing from a traditional overhead perspective ('strategic view') is still both possible, and even advised (probably why the game defaults to this perspective). Keeping track of everything from different angles and distances is now possible via a new camera control option that allows for all manner of tilting and rotation known to man (accomplished by holding down both mouse buttons or a middle button while in the 'tactical view'). All things ordered remember the level at which they were directed, and will stay at this height until told otherwise. Thankfully, subsequent ordering will not cause units to revert to the zero plane. Armada II, on the other hand, incorporates its now refined, but still Armada 3D graphics engine in a fully 3-dimensional sector of space (as far 3D as monitors go anyway).ĭirection and ordering are as standard as ever, only now, the new elevation factor is managed by depressing the shift key and moving the mouse either above or below the 'zero plane' to send units to the desired z-axis coordinate. The prior incarnation took place entirely on a 2D plane and only featured 3D graphics as an aesthetical attribute (the same formula Conquest : Frontier Wars followed, for those wanting a frame of reference). Paramount amidst the additions to last year's outing (no pun intended) is Armada II's revitalized 3D interface. Throw in Species 8472, and the always devious Romulans and Cardassians and you've got quite the explosive situation. All the while the Klingons are left behind in the Alpha Quadrant to keep the peace in the absence of their ally. Plot? The Borg have been repelled back into the Delta Quadrant and StarFleet is on a mission to chase them down and engage the enemy on their home turf. Romulans, Federation, Species 8472, Borg, Klingon, Cardassian, and Ferengi are all accounted for (Federation, Klingon, and Borg being playable in the single-player campaign, with the rest making cameos and only going controllable in multiplayer and skirmish modes, sans the NPC Ferengi). In brief, Armada II is the fully 3D RTS sequel to 2000's Star Trek: Armada, a game based out of Next Generation universe. On one level, the prospects of playing out a real-time strategy game based on and in keeping with the Star Trek universe is awesome, but then again, failure to deliver on expectations the fiction inherently brings with it could be detrimental to the package as a whole.

On the other, a slew of disturbing images of failed attempts of past clutter your mind, inhibiting any hopes of greatness.

On the one hand, the promise of gallivanting about a richly defined universe partaking first-hand in the kinds of things that all science fiction buffs dream of is tantalizing and orgasmic (so you're obviously not as big a fan as me). With every new Star Trek game comes inexplicable feelings of apprehension and anticipation.

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