ighting aliens, defending the universe and exploring the unknown are the shared themes in the new multi-pack CD-ROM adventure, Science Fiction: The Ultimate Collection. The two disc set is jammed with classic games, including Spaceward Ho!, Iron Helix, Star Control 1 and 2, Star Crusader, Millennia, and a "bonus" Star Trek: The Next Generation screen saver. The games offer a variety of challenges for would-be space rangers and stellar saviors waiting for their big chance to bring order and peace to the galaxy.
The common goal in most of these games is to conquer and/or save the universe using high level technology, diplomacy and overall strategic genius. In Spaceward Ho!, players begin with a single planet and must build an entire fleet to explore the galaxy. Iron Helix, by contrast, has the players already engaged in a deep-rooted cold war with a powerful alien race.
Players of Millennia must use their time ship and restore equilibrium to the galaxy while defeating the evil Microids. In Star Control, gamers face an equally evil race at the edge of space and must prepare for an all-out assault on Earth-controlled space. A conflict that could occur on a galactic scale is the theme of Iron Helix.
A bit dated but still fun
Science Fiction: the Ultimate Collection is truly a blast from the past, with a variety of different looks at the future of humankind and the conquest of space. Each game has its own, original interface to control the action. They also offer a variety of space combat simulations that allow players to command individual ships and whole fleets. The interface and sound are somewhat dated, but the games do remain playable. Rather than calling the games old, the overall look of The Ultimate Collection is retro, and showing how much games have improved since the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The games are somewhat disappointing on today's topnotch computers and really don't compare to Mech Warrior or Fade To Black. They are, however, points in space that lead to where the industry is today and serve as reminders that gaming has evolved as a form of entertainment. Star Control is among the most dated, with weak sound effects and a rather simplistic interface. The traditional story lines on Science Fiction: The Ultimate Collection make the games easy to play but also don't really seem that exciting or cutting edge.
Players who bought the original games can enjoy commanding a battle fleet all over again and a chance to possibly try out a game they missed the first time around. The two CD-ROM set could have been more complete if it offered more of a mixed bag -- beyond another stellar combat game -- to make a truly ultimate collection. While the variety could have been better, this will go down as a collection of classic games that shouldn't have been missed the first time around and are worth taking a look at for a second time.
