Bit of a turn of events, really, that given the quality of the Star Trek's earlier series it's actually the franchise's second from bottom (sorry, Enterprise) that was given the best gaming treatment. Released in its most impressive guise on PC back in 2000, Elite Force puts you in the sleek duds of Ensign Alex Munro, a member of the top notch Hazard Team, who are tasked with bailing out the USS Voyager when it becomes trapped and under siege from a variety of intergalactic meanies. This rudimentary premise is given a boost by the game itself being developed by Raven Software as an intelligent first person shooter, boasting a multitude of levels all enhanced by the then new id Tech 3 engine, and some neat authenticity from the show's cast, who all pitch in on voice duties. It's pretty much a given that when this arrived fans of the series were more than hankering for the definitive Trek experience, and with this game they really got that. Ever wanted to pop off some phaser shots at a rapidly approaching Klingon? Fancied getting in a pulse rifle dust up with some creepy Borg - who, we might add, come armed with impeccable and eerily adaptable AI - aboard their dingy ship? Elite Force gave players the opportunity to experience this geek dream.
Shaun is a former contributor for a number of Future Publishing titles and more recently worked as a staffer at Imagine Publishing.
He can now be found banking in the daytime and writing a variety of articles for What Culture, namely around his favourite topics of film, retro gaming, music, TV and, when he's feeling clever, literature.
