Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters
Pistol Shrimp · 2024 · Exploration, RPG, Top-Down Shooter, Action RPG, Action-Adventure
PC
Very Positive95% · 385
This game is free to play. Get it on Steam →
Screenshots
About Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters
You are the captain
Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters® is a classic space game that captures the charm of retro science-fiction, space combat, and high adventure. Your story begins as the captain of the last human starship, with Earth trapped under a hostile forcefield. You are the last hope for humanity in a fight for control of the galaxy, as you explore thousands of unknown worlds and get dozens of quirky aliens to help.
Meet fascinating alien characters
The galaxy is thriving with alien species, each with unique mysteries and motives. Meet an eclectic cast of characters, brought to life with full English voiceover. Ask sharp questions, make new friends, and exchange colorful insults. Adventure through HyperSpace
Discover a vibrant galaxy filled with wonder, terror, and absurdity. Explore thousands of uncharted worlds across hundreds of stars, and gather important resources and technology.Battle your rivals in starship combat
Build your fleet and battle enemy starships, facing off against friends or the computer-controlled AI. Play action-packed Super Melee as its own mode, or as part of the single-player adventure – or choose automated combat to stay focused on the story.Experience a sci-fi classic – for free!
As a celebrated piece of gaming history, Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters® has also received wide acclaim for its story, characters, and setting. It was created as a love letter to classic science fiction like Douglas Adams, David Brin, and Jack Vance. In turn, its setting inspired a new wave of game creators, including the visionaries behind Mass Effect, No Man’s Sky, Subnautica, Starfield, Fallout, and Stellaris – to name just a few.In 2002, the game was released under an open source license thanks to the generosity of Paul Reiche and Fred Ford. It continues to be available to play as a free download, for game historians and fans to enjoy.
Game features
- Experience an open-world adventure, venturing through space to defeat the invading Ur-Quan and its hierarchy of battle thralls.
- Travel through extra-dimensional HyperSpace and discover nearly 500 unknown star systems filled with alien worlds.
- Fight enemies in fast-paced space battles with 25 different starships, each with its own unique attacks and powers.
- Befriend, threaten, or fight a diverse cast of aliens with unique personalities, from scary, to funny, to just plain weird.
- Explore thousands of planets, collecting resources and technology to upgrade your flagship and grow your fleet.
- Play standalone Super Melee to practice space combat against AI opponents or to duel against a friend.
- Mod and tinker with freely available, open-source code and content.
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
This is Star Control 2 reborn, but unfortunately, some of the music is missing. Fortunately, you can easily search for download that music into the game. It's well worth the effort. They are working on a sequel, due this year, and I can't wait to play it. Till then, this one tides you over. Choices matter, time matters, lots of comedy mixed in to a complex space drama and deep history with lots of mysteries to solve. The combat is challenging and fun. Some of the game is a bit of a grind, especially resource collection, but that's how you explore too, and I'm sure the new one will improve on that. There's a great story to discover here with lots of variables. I dunno why we ever stopped making games like this! It's such a fun genre and the rpg/space combat combo is really "Star Control Style". It's not as famous as it should be. Oh and it works perfect on Steam Deck, with the added music! God Speed, Commander!4 found this helpful
Classic. Free. One of the best games ever made, without exaggeration or qualification. Actually /does/ work on steam deck. Available more fully featured elsewhere but if seeing it here gets you to check it out, dive in. You are in for such a treat.2 found this helpful
One of the best games ever made! Pure nostalgia from the early '90s. Can't wait for the upcoming sequel!
One of my childhood favourites!
Solid game and story. The creators clearly had fun working on the game
amazing game JUST CANT WAIT FOR CHILDREN OF INFINITY
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