The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

This is an interesting question, and I thought I'd ask it once and for all.

What is it that makes Star Control II great?

I have included in the poll all of the basic reasons I could think of, even the ones that I think are bad reasons to love a game. But I would like to hear more in your reply to this topic.

A quick note: This is referring to the original SC2 (PC or 3DO), not UQM, so Netplay can't be it.

Also, if you think it's a combination of multiple things, please choose the answer that you think best encompasses why SC2 is great.

I picked the aliens, cause... well...

they're brilliant.

I picked the story. Second would have been the dialogue system.

I just like talking to all the aliens. My favorite are the Spathi and Orz.

I suppose I'll answer now...

For me, it's definitely the secrets/exploration. I think it's fun to explore an unknown world (well, galaxy) and discover things. This is only made much better with the interesting, non-bipedal aliens you meet along the way. (One thing I don't like about movies that depict aliens is that they always unrealistically portray all aliens as having nearly identical body structure to humans. SC2 actually gives them uniqueness.)

Other: All of the above. Yeah. 8)

If that's the case, then SC2 must be just an average, all-around game. Surely there's something that makes UQM stick out for you?

Not necessarily.  An "average" game can excel in some areas but fail in others.  But when all (or most) aspects are simply outstanding, it definitely makes for a better game than just "average".

I picked the story, but it's not like you can fully separate "the story" from "the dialog system" or "the many different aliens" and so on.

The "dialog system" more refers to the way you converse with the aliens, i.e. you pick how to respond to what they say.

Dialogue trees are practically universal in RPGs though.

I know.

I voted for the ability to customize your flagship (and apparently I'm the only one? ;.; )
I think all of the things on the list are great and contribute to the game being awesome, but I spent HOURS with the PC version just rebuilding my ship for whatever I was going to do next.  The story was fantastic, the aliens were hilarious.  The exploration factor was incredible.  SC2 was the first game that was "too big" for me to explore everything on my own.  I did what I could but I remember having to look up some of the rainbow worlds because there was just too much space for me to go looking for them all.

At the end of the day, though, it just wouldn't have been the same game if I didn't have the ability to customize the Mark I.  That loss was one of the things that really hurt me when I played SC3.

Oh? Well, that was a waste of my vote...

Good thread topic. I first saw one of my family members playing SC2 on 3DO in the 90s. Back then I couldn't believe how "complex" the game environment was and how much freedom you have when playing the game. I still find the RPG aspect of the game really cool. There isn't really a set way to win the game. Also I really like the star system/hyperspace aspects.

Maybe I should change "The dialogue system" to just "The dialogue"? I think it's unlikely that people would intentionally vote for what I intended "dialogue system" to mean anyways.

I don't like the Hyperspace aspect much because even with maxed out thrusters, it takes forever to get anywhere, made worse by the fact that you normally aren't doing anything besides watching the autopilot.

Change it to "Frungy Party!"

I doubt the one person who voted for it would consider that a waste of his vote. =P

My response is in this thread, (http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=126) but I voted here as well.