Star Control 1 + 2 available on GOG.com

So yeah, I'm interested in buying this, but I'm getting mixed signals from the reviews. The general gist I'm getting is "Star Control 2 is the greatest game ever, but don't buy the DOS version off GOG: instead, get the freeware/open source SC 2: The Ur-Quan Masters, which is based off the 3DO version, has hit-or-miss voice acting, and is missing some text which makes the game unwinnable without an FAQ."

Now, I believe in GOG.com and everything it's doing, so it's a given I'll buy this package. But would I genuinely be better off playing The Ur-Quan Masters, or should I stick with the original?

I'd say that UQM is still the way to go, but I can provide a few tips to avert potential Guide Dang Its:

• You need the Rosy Sphere to repair the Ultron. There's an item floating around that you can trade instead of fuel or crew in order to get it.
• The Ultron is no longer with the Utwig; what they don't tell you is that they handed it off to the Supox already. IIRC, they're somewhere to the west of the Utwig.
• Check the upper-left corner if you want to do something about those Slylandro probes.
• Start racking up those Melnorme credits. You'll need 'em for lander upgrades, which will make retrieving certain important items MUCH easier.
• You're on a time limit. Don't dawdle collecting resources for too long.
• I'd suggest investigating Pluto before you help out the space station orbiting Earth.
• Max out your thrusters ASAP. Worry about the rest later. When getting into fights, I find it easiest to use the Spathi Eluder, particularly Fwiffo's, with the Utwig Jugger coming in later, at least until you can outfit your flagship with Hellbore Cannons and Tracking Modules to make it an utter SPACE RAPE MACHINE.
• The ideal flagship energy configuration is three Dynamos + Shiva Furnaces for any extra slots.
• Try to get the QuasiSpace portal generator ASAP; it'll save you tons of fuel, since moving around in QuasiSpace] doesn't drain fuel like HyperSpace does.

Oh, and make sure that you're ready to take notes while playing either version, because it won't record important information like coordinates and planets of importance for you automatically (unlike a lot of newer games with integrated task lists), and I'm sure you don't want to Alt-Tab in and out of the game all the time.

edited 23rd Apr '11 9:37:29 PM by NamelessFragger

Huh, the one on GOG isn't the Open Source version?... Oh wait, that makes sense -_-;

Time limit, like "play the game perfectly or you're screwed" time limit, or "you're only likely to run out of time if you ignore the main plot thread entirely" time limit, or...?

I think there was a way to prolong the time limit, but I don't remember if it was ever stated how long it is... Anyway, it shouldn't be too big trouble if you get the Quasi Space portal. Seriously, that thing saves a lot of time.

You'll get a warning when the time limits coming up. (generally check out the Zoq Fot Pik)

As much as I love and want to support GOG, I really can't think of any reason not to go with the UQM version, especially seeing as how it's creator-sponsored/approved. Other than the missing text, it's perfectly possible to tweak the game so it's as close to the PC version as possible. (No voice, original music, text-based menus, etc.) And here's a couple options for add-ons that restore the plot-crucial missing text: http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/Links#Alternative_content_for_the_Ur-Quan_Masters

...and I say this as someone who owns the PC version, in the boxed hard copy sense. (Bought it before the UQM project was born.)

And yeah, there's a way to extend the time limit for a year. You can have the Utwig and Supox go fight the Ur-Quan for you for a while as a delaying tactic. IIRC it becomes available as an option after you fix the Ultron. I wouldn't say you have to play the game perfectly, but you do need to be decently dedicated to following the main plot.

edited 24th Apr '11 9:19:20 PM by Jeysie