Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Star Trek: Conquest merges turn-based strategy on a galactic map with selectable real-time space battles. At the strategic layer, each turn allows you to construct or reinforce fleets, manage starbases, and decide whether to advance on your foes or fortify key systems. Players choose from six distinct races—the Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, Dominion, and Breen—each boasting unique ship attributes, cloaking technologies, or sheer numerical strength. These asymmetrical strengths provide varied tactical approaches, ensuring your conquest feels different depending on which power you command.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

When fleet encounters occur, you can either jump straight into engaging in real-time space skirmishes or opt for a quick simulation to resolve combat automatically. Real-time battles let you maneuver individual ships, issue tactical orders, and activate special abilities such as cloaking or shields. While this mode delivers cinematic thrills, the interface can feel a bit clunky at times, and repeated engagements may lack deep tactical nuance. The simulation option, however, is a welcome time-saver for players who prefer the broad strategic picture over minute-by-minute ship maneuvers.

The turn-based conquer-or-defend mechanic is straightforward: wipe out all opposing races to claim galactic supremacy. You’ll need to balance offense and defense carefully, particularly when facing multiple enemies on separate fronts. Although there’s no diplomacy or alliance system to speak of, the sheer variety of ship types and special abilities across races injects strategic replay value. Fans of 4X titles will find the basic framework familiar, while those seeking action-strategy hybrids will appreciate the option to jump straight into dogfights.

Graphics

Given its era, Star Trek: Conquest delivers solid, if somewhat dated, visual fidelity. Ship models are recognizably faithful to The Next Generation style, with smooth hull surfaces and glowing nacelle effects. Fly your Federation Galaxy-class into battle and you’ll see familiar contours, while Klingon Birds-of-Prey sport their iconic wing design. The real-time battle camera offers satisfying zoom and rotation, letting you appreciate details like hull markings and energy beams crisscrossing the void.

The galactic map uses a clean interface with colored hex grids to show ownership and contested systems. Planets and stars are represented by simple icons, which keeps the screen uncluttered but occasionally makes it hard to distinguish dense clusters of systems. Menus and UI elements lean on clear Starfleet-style paneling, complete with faux metal frames and digital readouts that reinforce the franchise’s aesthetic. Load times between map and battle modes are moderate, allowing gameplay to flow without excessive pauses.

Cutscenes and brief mission intros rely on static art and text captions rather than full-motion cinematics. You’ll hear voice clips from familiar Star Trek sound effects, but there’s no overarching cast of voice actors delivering dialogue. While this minimalist presentation may not satisfy players seeking Hollywood-level production, it maintains a consistent Star Trek atmosphere without overpromising on graphical spectacle.

Story

Rather than a linear narrative with defined heroes and villains, Conquest opts for an open-ended conflict in the wake of galactic tensions. The classic rivalries of The Next Generation era—Federation peacekeepers versus expansionist Klingons, shadowy Romulans, or the relentless Dominion—fuel each playthrough. You won’t follow a scripted storyline with character arcs, but you will witness emergent drama as alliances collapse and neighboring systems fall under your banner.

Each race’s campaign is framed by brief mission objectives and text-based flavor segments, offering context on strategic goals without delving into personal narratives. The Federation campaign focuses on preserving order by bringing rogue powers in line, while Klingon players revel in glorious conquest. This light touch keeps the pace brisk, though it does mean character development and moral quandaries are largely absent. Veterans of story-driven Star Trek titles may miss deeper plots, but strategy fans will appreciate the freedom to write their own history.

Despite the lack of a cinematic storyline, the game captures the spirit of interstellar competition. The sense of galactic scale and the stakes of territorial control reflect the themes of power struggles common to the series. Every captured planet or destroyed starbase carries franchise resonance, from Romulan cloak tactics to Breen energy dampeners, reinforcing immersion even without a traditional narrative backbone.

Overall Experience

Star Trek: Conquest stands out as a hybrid title that balances broad strategic decision-making with configurable real-time ship combat. Its strength lies in offering multiple ways to engage—serious commanders can plot moves on the galactic map, while action-oriented captains can pilot ships directly into battle. This duality keeps gameplay fresh, though some may find the real-time battles simplistic and the strategic layer lacking deeper economic or diplomatic features.

Replay value is high, thanks to the six playable races and variable galaxy setups. Each faction’s unique fleet roster and special abilities encourage different tactics, compelling you to revisit the map and refine new strategies. Multiplayer skirmishes further extend longevity, pitting friends’ fleets against one another in epic clashes for star system dominance. However, the absence of formal alliances or trade mechanics means interactions remain purely combative.

For fans of Star Trek seeking a taste of galactic conquest, Conquest delivers an engaging sandbox in which to wage interstellar war. While it may not rival the depth of top-tier 4X games or the narrative richness of dedicated RPGs, it fills a niche as an accessible action-strategy title with authentic franchise flavor. If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding a fleet of Klingon warbirds or Romulan cloaks slicing through Federation lines, Star Trek: Conquest offers a solid bridge between tactical dogfights and grand-scale territorial warfare.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10