Star Control: Origins

I liked it though it's basically a kinder, gentler version of Star Control 2.

There is no time limit to your goals. Yes, the main enemy will expand its territory over time, but you can always take it back when you feel ready to do so.

There is a random alien that attacks you like the Slylandro Probes but they aren't as aggressive and dangerous. Overall the game is not as challenging, but there are some optional fights that are pretty deadly and take you by surprise if you stumble into that star system.

A few of the alien races are too similar to the ones in Star Control 2, though there were a few like the Phamysht and the Mukay that were pretty funny and interesting.

The landing segment is different from SC in that it's 3D. Mining in either game gets boring fast, but the 3D terrain takes longer to navigate so it's worse overall.

This game's version of "Super Melee" is quite fun. The ships are easy to control and there are powerups scattered across each map. Instead of the screen looping, you're set in an arena with a deadly outer zone. This can be useful for whittling down heavily armored ships. Because this game is newer, I found the ships easier to control and had a better time. There is also a large variety of ships and most of them are useful.

Overall, if you like Star Control 2 you will probably enjoy Star Control: Origins, though it won't blow your mind.

The DLC is ok. It doesn't have as many voiced parts and it feels unfinished. However, you get access to some powerful hybrid ships that make the final missions easier.

OK... finished the game and the Expansion. It is not like Star Control II is one of my favourite game so that's why I gave Origins a chance. Here are my critique:
- Planetary exploration - becomes a chore after a while. Hate getting stuck around terrain and some atmospheric conditions makes it very difficult to see things. There is almost no point capturing aliens.
- Overall, it was pretty easy which is fine but towards end game I just use one ship, combat becomes pretty boring.
- Story wise. Pretty forgettable. Ship upgrades should be reflected on the ship. They could do it in the past, why not now? Sometimes they go to alien full screen, other time, just text and icon with no voice. Better to keep it more consistent.
- Boss Battle. The climax battles seems to go on the background. Boss battles should be more in stages then just one arena.
- The economy kind of sucks because towards the end, I don't really need to buy anything. You also don't have as much customization as before in terms of crews, main ship weapons/features and even the rover.
Still I completed it and it satisfies a bit of nostalgia.
Overall, buy it when it is on sale, but I wouldn't pay full price for it.

I am so mad that the fake Star Control game is actually decent. It can't touch Star Control 2 and the story makes no sense in context with the Ur-Quan stuff but as a stand-alone game, I am enjoying traveling a galaxy that I don't have memorized.

gotta love it! good sense of humour combined with some space adventures and blowin up some bad guys :D

This is an excellent "throw-back" to the fantastic StarControl II that I so loved playing as a child, but with beautiful graphics and also sporting a rich immersive story line with loads of small side quests to keep you engaged along with the main-quest story. A great adventure game with nicely thought through and polished game play. Excellent!!

While its no Star Control 2, it comes the closest of any game to scratching that itch, I like all the new alien races and the gameplay loop is addicting. My only real complaint is the lack of consistent quality of the side content and DLC.

Very nice exploratory game.
I love the design.
I played start control II being my first game and when I looked for more, I came across this game on steam.
Totally worth every penny.