The biggest difference from previous editions is a change in setting from classic Star Trek to the Next Generation. Taldren has overhauled the Starfleet Command series to appeal to a wider audience, and the changes are immediately noticeable. While the first two games were applauded by Star Trek fans and hard-core strategy gamers, they were also maligned for their cumbersome interfaces and complicated gameplay. It's clear from the outset that Starfleet Command III is striving for a broader audience. Power management, like moving power from shields to weapons at opportune times, is easier than ever. Today, old Trek seems a distant memory, and the newest installment in the Starfleet Command series is boldly striding into the future with a new publisher, a new setting, and many changes to gameplay. Based on the Star Fleet Battles board game, it was a modest success among strategy gamers and was well received by Trek fans for its slavish devotion to Trek lore. One of the first games to buck this trend was Starfleet Command, a tactical starship simulator from Interplay and developer Taldren.
A few years ago, it seemed that pretty much any game with 'Star Trek' in its title would turn out to be terrible.
