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Star Trek: Shattered Universe Review - PS2

Space, the final frontier… What secrets does it hold? What dimensions can be accessed through it? Is there life on other planets? Will humans ever be able to achieve warp speed? If you can't be bothered hanging around because you've seen this all at the movies and/or on TV then chances are you're a Star Trek fan. Known best for phasers and in-depth story lines, Star Trek remains to have a huge fan-base but most Star Trek fans will agree that the original Star Trek series was the best. This is where this game comes onto the PS2. Remember the episode where Captain Kirk discovers another dimension that is a mirror version of his own dimensions where the Federation is evil and there is no peace between races? Well Star Trek: Shattered Universe takes that one episode and turns it into an entire game with minor references to a few other Star Trek episodes. So let's have a look at this latest title among Star Trek games and go boldly where only gamers have gone before.

The story line of Star Trek: Shattered Universe follows the idea of a Star Trek episode only changing the characters originally based in that episode. Captain Sulu of the USS Excelsior has been sent on a priority one-distress call to the Janus Vortex, accompanied by the USS Enterprise and the USS Ranger, Captain Sulu receives a call from the Enterprise to be informed that the Enterprise has lost all power and not to attempt any rescue because it is too dangerous. Not backing down from the vortex, the Excelsior goes deep within the vortex to rescue the Enterprise crew and in the process, also looses power when its crystals (the main power source) are destroyed. After regaining power, the Excelsior receives a message from Captain Chekov of the now ISS Enterprise, whom tells Sulu that he is a traitor of the Empire. Confused by this, the Excelsior watches the Enterprise destroy the Ranger. Soon after, the USS Excelsior transforms into the ISS Enterprise. After doing battle with the ISS Enterprise and seeing her flee so as not to be destroyed, Captain Sulu soon concludes that the Excelsior and her crew, have entered a mirror universe where not all is what it seems.

Gameplay

The main objective in Star Trek: Shattered Universe is to get to the other side of the universe to locate another vortex in attempt to go back home. To do this you must go into the cockpit of an Excelsior fighter ship and defend the Excelsior against any enemies you may come across. While this sounds very basic you will have to be wary of your hull strength as it won't be able to regenerate itself once it gets hit but luckily, your shield will regenerate slowly with time making timing a very important factor when fighting foes.

Before a mission, you're taken to the mission select screen where you highlighted the mission you want. Captain (continued next page)