Star Command (1988) (2023)

Star Command is one of those classic science-fiction RPGs that feels incredibly ambitious for its time, even if many of its ideas now appear rough around the edges. Originally released in 1988 by Strategic Simulations and Doug Wood, then later revived on Steam by SNEG, the game represents an era when developers were experimenting fearlessly with large-scale space adventures long before modern open-world RPG design became common. While it never reached the legendary status of bigger sci-fi classics, Star Command still stands out because of the sheer amount of systems and concepts packed into a single game. It combines crew management, tactical combat, exploration, ship operations, and role-playing progression into a surprisingly immersive experience that remains fascinating for retro gaming fans. The premise immediately captures the spirit of classic space opera. Players assume command of a crew operating under the authority of Star Command, an interstellar organization tasked with protecting civilization and carrying out dangerous assignments across the galaxy. Instead of focusing on one protagonist, the game places heavy emphasis on managing an entire crew, which gives the advent…

This almost 40-year-old game is a gem, if you take the time to learn it, because without reading the manual, you can't even leave port. But if you have the patience, you will experience something unique.

Fond are the memories I have of playing this game on the Amiga in the early 90s and loving it. Never did finish it then, but found it to be quite fun (This time I'm playing it through). The classic appeal is definitely there in this faithful release. Space, the final frontier! Star Command is a futuristic RPG. Recruit cadets into Star Command, the last vestige of human life in the galaxy. Explore space, fight off enemy ships, make cargo runs, and complete missions as humanity's last hope! The game revolves around a group of 8 cadets that you recruit, customize, train, equip, and control on missions throughout the galaxy. Explore planets, both dead and living. Fight off pirates, insectoids, and killer robots. Buy and sell exotic cargo as you seek to increase your rank and buy better equipment to explore farther. Encounter friendly, neutral, or enemy ships. Be victorious... Or be destroyed. Things I like: I'm a big fan of SSI RPGs. They are older and take some time to play, but that means investing in the game as opposed to breezing through it in a day or two. I like the progression. Though slow at times, it makes you work for what you earn. I like the tactical aspects o…

such a throwback to 1990 for me. Just a solid old game...no frills.

genuinely pretty cool. Honestly though I can't imagine the content here being endless, once you figure it out it'll be smooth sailing, some really cool encounters, and then eventually the repetition will catch up. Still it's very ambitious and I definitely enjoyed what I got to do. Just with no instructions and being too lazy to look up a manual I went on a space adventure with our pilot Jaq and our marine and trooper. After going on a joyride forgetting to christen the ship, they returned to refuel, christen it with a proper name and pick up equipment. Only for the trooper Kaj and our marine Cowalski to fight over who gets the ammo for the compression laser rifle and getting too tired to bother sorting out the rest of their gear. After getting an assignment to deliver vaccines, they made it to the system only for both Kaj and Cowalski to both scream at jaq about flying down to pilot and we find out he has an unnatural obsession with never ever leaving the ship and not wanting to leave it alone, so they went back to get a second pilot, who can fly the dropship. After the successful mission we left to hunt down a gang of space pirates, of which we screeched into their comms how th…

oh how i miss the awesomeness of those 80's games tunes in their awesome simplicity, late 80s were a special time for me and this gem was and is a classic