First Impressions Of Star Trek Online Open Beta

The Star Trek Online Open Beta has started. During the beta test period players, who will also be capped at level 16, will only be able to play in the Klingon and Federation sections, other sections including the much anticipated Borg, will be enabled further into the beta.

During this period, and after completing the various missions to acquire skillpoints, players will be able to upgrade their ship to a first tier Cruiser, Escort ship, or Science vessel.

The first time you ‘engage’ its time to create your character and choose the gender, race, and type of player (e.g. Science Officer). There are a number of traits you can specify to give your new character the edge in certain situation, such as warp theorist, creative, techie, and lucky for the human trait pool. Depending on which character type you decided upon a number of traits will already be set – mandatory to that type, but you can add several of your own choosing.

The next step is to customise your head including your hair, skin, and eyes. Advanced options included base complexion, scarring, eye colour, hairstyle (for example buzz cut, shaved, and receding). Following this you can customise your body including your resting stance (for example brawler, robotic, thoughtful, gruff), change your height, affect your shoulders, torso and stomach (no beer belly I’m afraid!) then move onto customise your uniform including your Starfleet bade (Science Insignia, Combadge, Operations Insignia, and Command Insignia). Your hands are next with gloves or bare options and choosing the number of fingers.

Once this is done you can customise your back story by giving yourself a nickname (mine is Rogan), name your Starship (mine is U.S.S Liberator), put in a proper full name and a biography to complete your customisation.

Once you are happy with everything it’s time familiarise yourself with movement and actions, from the safety of the mess hall, such as moving around (WASD), jumping (Spacebar), looking around (right mouse button), Interact (F Key), and Zoom (mouse wheel). If you have played the recent James Cameron AVATAR game you may notice the control mechanism is quite similar.

When you are comfortable with the control mechanisms head to the turbo lift and report to the bridge where you will be assigned your first mission – “The Khitomer Crisis” which is an introductory mission involving the Borg. I will follow up with a more detailed outline of “The Khitomer Crisis” shortly, following that you move to the mission “The Price Of Liberty” which is a rescue mission, and then into the mission “Assimilation” where you have to beam down with your away team and rescue colonists from the Borg.

So far, Star Trek Online is a fascinating game, with lots going on – there is always something around the corner to do. In some ways the game reminds me a little of Star Trek: Away Team but with a more expansive universe.

The skillpoints adds another dimension to the game as you train both your crew and yourself, as well as kitting out your Starship with the latest technological developments. Controlling your Starship in space can be tricky at first until you realise that to manoeuvre you are best not travelling at near warp speed – slow down, manoeuvre, then accelerate as necessary.

Update: See our look at the Star Trek Online Beta First Mission: Khitomer Crisis