STAR TREK: BRIDGE CREW

A Bridge Too Far?

released OUT NOW!

Available on Playstation Vr,

Oculus rift, HTC Vive Publisher Ubisoft

You’ll probably never play Star Trek Bridge Crew – at least, not how it’s really meant to be enjoyed. Not because this is a poor game, or lacks features – it’s just too rarefied an experience. While you can crew your ship with fewer than four human crew members, it’s infinitely better played with friends.

It’s a crying shame, because Bridge Crew is absolutely magic when played right. You and your friends crew the USS Aegis, sent on a critical mission to explore the Trench, a piece of uncharted space, in the hopes of finding a new home world for the Vulcans.

Assuming various bridge roles – captain, helm, engineering, tactical – you never feel like four people simply pressing buttons to make stuff explode; each mission forces you to work as a proper team, and the division of responsibilities is smartly done. It’s a beautiful thing to behold when all four are working in perfect harmony, rescuing allies while blasting Klingon attackers into smithereens.

What helps massively is the authenticity of the simulation. Every button, piece of uniform, and sound effect create a near impeccable sense that you’re in the Trek universe. That’s an incredible achievement.

But it’s amazing how much Bridge Crew loses when the slick teamwork fails, and that’s what’s lost when you play under anything other than optimal conditions. Crew of three? It just isn’t the same. Play with people you don’t really know and one rogue crew member can ruin things for everyone else. Really you need four friends, with VR headsets and a will to work together.

Bridge Crew never lacks for quality or quantity, and it’s usually absorbing. But precious few will have the money, resources, and friends to bring out the best in it. Those lucky enough to bring everything together, though, will get one of the most entertaining, faithful, and unique simulations of any movie franchise. Andy Hartup

One rogue member can ruin it for everyone

You can also choose to crew the original Enterprise. This requires a good memory, thanks to a sea of unlabelled buttons!