Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters is a video game released in 1992, developed by Toys for Bob and originally published by Accolade for MS-DOS.
Star Control II received widespread critical acclaim and is hailed as one of the greatest PC games ever made. Recognized for its innovative gameplay and storytelling, the game has secured its place on numerous lists of the greatest video games of all time.
Its success led to a port for the 3DO in 1994, featuring enhanced multimedia presentation, and later, an open-sourced PC port known as The Ur-Quan Masters.
The Gameplay
Action-Adventure in an Open Universe
While retaining ship-to-ship combat from the original Star Control, the sequel focuses more on storytelling and dialogue.
The player’s objective is to liberate Earth from the tyrannical Ur-Quan by recruiting allied alien races.
Dynamic Ship Battles
Engage in real-time, one-on-one spaceship battles with unique weapons, maneuvers, and secondary abilities for each ship. Winning battles requires a strategic combination of ship selection and skill.
The combat mode, known as Super Melee, allows for separate two-player battles.
Galactic Exploration and Resource Management
Experience near-total freedom to explore a vast galaxy with over 500 stars and 3800 planets. Manage resources, build fleets, and interact with various alien races, each with distinct characteristics.
Planetary exploration involves facing hazards and gathering valuable resources to upgrade your fleet.
Rich Dialogues and Story Development
Engage in interactive dialogues with alien races, unveiling secrets and information about the galaxy.
Star Control II expands on characters and backstory, offering a rich in-game experience compared to its predecessor.
The Plot
The Aftermath of the Alliance’s Defeat
The game’s narrative picks up after the Alliance of Free Stars succumbs to the Hierarchy of Battle Thralls. A science expedition on Earth discovers an ancient Precursor installation, leading to the activation of an advanced starship piloted by a genius child.
The player assumes the role of the ship’s commander, embarking on a mission to contact Earth and form a New Alliance against the Ur-Quan.
The Ur-Quan War and Galactic Diplomacy
Discover a galaxy enslaved by the Ur-Quan and rally alien races to resist their tyranny. As the player progresses, a deeper conflict emerges between the Ur-Quan and the Kohr-Ah, adding layers to the game’s complexity.
The ultimate goal is to thwart the Ur-Quan’s plan to access the Sa-Matra, a powerful Precursor battle platform.
Alliances and Confrontations
The player must strategically resolve issues and exploit weaknesses of various alien races to secure their allegiance. Notable events include the merger of the Chenjesu and Mmrnmhrm into the Chmmr and the discovery of a psychic alien Dnyarri with a dark history.
The Captain sacrifices their ship using a Precursor terraforming bomb to destroy the Sa-Matra and defeat the Ur-Quan.
Play Star Control II online
Now you can play Star Control II online, in a web browser, for free!
Awesome. The best game by far from the DOS era – ticks all the boxes!