I really wish they had a neutral option, rather than a simple thumbs up or thumbs down option for reviews because this is a game that has/had promise but has some flaws and downfalls.

I've played off and on for years via the standalone launcher, and now steam because it's easier to keep my games on a single platform (at least until GOG Galaxy 2.0 is live for everyone). You can play from a wide variety of factions- Starfleet (post TNG and TOS era), Klingon Defense Force, Romulan Republic, and most recently, part of the Dominion. However the pitfalls with these factions is that the Romulan, Dominion, TOS era Starfleet, and DSC Starfleet is that after level 10 you have to choose between the KDF and Starfleet. Sure, you'll get some unique missions, but they are few and far between. And if you choose the KDF side, you'll find regurgitated Starfleet missions because they couldn't be bothered to have actual unique missions for the Klingons after a few levels. Dialogue is changed to fit the factions but it's just horribly lazy on their part.

Space combat is fun and at higher levels rather challenging. You can easily macro things to help with that. And you get a wide variety of ships as you reach max level. Of course, most of those ships are behind a paywall, and the ones you can get for free that are past tier 4 are ones you must do a significant chunk of grinding for- be it an event like the Summer event in Risa or Q's Winter Wonderland, or grinding faction tokens to buy a faction ship. However, ships you can buy via the store often go on sale, and some are included in packages that used to be on the Steam store but were removed, which forces you to buy them either via the ARC client that PWE has pushed out or are bought via the in game store. Ground combat is rather simplistic and while you can customize your playstyle a bit with different kits and skills, gets old after a while.

The graphics... I feel like they've somehow managed to get worse and worse as time goes on, and I'm not talking about this as a comparison to modern MMOS. I mean it literally feels like the game gets more and more pixelated with each content update they do because they're too lazy to upgrade server space or something. Some areas manage to look lovely, some of the flora and fauna look lovely, until you get up close.

They took away subscriptions, which I suppose had something to do with the lifetime sub they used to do so people weren't as inclined to give them money after obtaining it because it allowed a monthly zen point allowance and they could just save up for ships or vanity outfits. Then on top of removing the sub, left no way to obtain items and pets that were given for being a member for a certain length of time. (unless this has changed recently.)

I appreciate that they are adding new content, new areas, and trying to incorporate every series into the game, but at times it feels haphazard and slapped together. I wouldn't say that they "Stayed true to lore" because they have to somehow incorporate things into the game in a way that makes sense for it being there and playable. Take the Dominion faction for instance. Why would a Jem'Hadar soldier join Starfleet? Why would the Dominion join it? Especially since the female founder is locked away in a maximum security Starfleet prison?

I will say that character customization really shines in this, especially if you are into Roleplay or just want a unique looking character as you can access every character customization option if you choose "Alien" as the race. And the events are fun, but old, and they seem to enjoy taking out the ones that are the most fun and only running them once an hour or two, while others that aren't fun seem to be shoved down your throat every 30 minutes like clockwork.

I'll give it a thumbs up, but only because there is no neutral option. The horrible P2W aspects and lack of unique dialogue and unique content for some factions is a massive turnoff.

I really wish they had a neutral option, rather than a simple thumbs up or thumbs down option for reviews because this is a game that has/had promise but has some flaws and downfalls. I've played off and on for years via the standalone launcher, and now steam because it's easier to keep my games on a single platform (at least until GOG Galaxy 2.0 is live for everyone). You can play from a wide variety of factions- Starfleet (post TNG and TOS era), Klingon Defense Force, Romulan Republic, and most recently, part of the Dominion. However the pitfalls with these factions is that the Romulan, Dominion, TOS era Starfleet, and DSC Starfleet is that after level 10 you have to choose between the KDF and Starfleet. Sure, you'll get some unique missions, but they are few and far between. And if you choose the KDF side, you'll find regurgitated Starfleet missions because they couldn't be bothered to have actual unique missions for the Klingons after a few levels. Dialogue is changed to fit the factions but it's just horribly lazy on their part. Space combat is fun and at higher levels rather challenging. You can easily macro things to help with that. And you get a wide variety of ships as you reach max level. Of course, most of those ships are behind a paywall, and the ones you can get for free that are past tier 4 are ones you must do a significant chunk of grinding for- be it an event like the Summer event in Risa or Q's Winter Wonderland, or grinding faction tokens to buy a faction ship. However, ships you can buy via the store often go on sale, and some are included in packages that used to be on the Steam store but were removed, which forces you to buy them either via the ARC client that PWE has pushed out or are bought via the in game store. Ground combat is rather simplistic and while you can customize your playstyle a bit with different kits and skills, gets old after a while. The graphics... I feel like they've somehow managed to get worse and worse as time goes on, and I'm not talking about this as a comparison to modern MMOS. I mean it literally feels like the game gets more and more pixelated with each content update they do because they're too lazy to upgrade server space or something. Some areas manage to look lovely, some of the flora and fauna look lovely, until you get up close. They took away subscriptions, which I suppose had something to do with the lifetime sub they used to do so people weren't as inclined to give them money after obtaining it because it allowed a monthly zen point allowance and they could just save up for ships or vanity outfits. Then on top of removing the sub, left no way to obtain items and pets that were given for being a member for a certain length of time. (unless this has changed recently.) I appreciate that they are adding new content, new areas, and trying to incorporate every series into the game, but at times it feels haphazard and slapped together. I wouldn't say that they "Stayed true to lore" because they have to somehow incorporate things into the game in a way that makes sense for it being there and playable. Take the Dominion faction for instance. Why would a Jem'Hadar soldier join Starfleet? Why would the Dominion join it? Especially since the female founder is locked away in a maximum security Starfleet prison? I will say that character customization really shines in this, especially if you are into Roleplay or just want a unique looking character as you can access every character customization option if you choose "Alien" as the race. And the events are fun, but old, and they seem to enjoy taking out the ones that are the most fun and only running them once an hour or two, while others that aren't fun seem to be shoved down your throat every 30 minutes like clockwork. I'll give it a thumbs up, but only because there is no neutral option. The horrible P2W aspects and lack of unique dialogue and unique content for some factions is a massive turnoff.