Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. TotalGames.net
    92
    There''s ''playing hours a plenty'' here for all strategy fans, the soundtrack and speech are great and the story is complex and intriguing. Put it this way, it's my present number one pastime apart from swivelling my microscope.
  2. One of the best games of the year. It migh t even be the best adventure game of the year. The plot is deep, the characters are brought to life effectively, I haven't found almost any bugs, and they didn't leave anything out.
  3. PC Gamer
    90
    Even with its few faults, Star Control 3 is a worthy successor and a blast to play. [Dec 1996, p.260]
  4. A vast oddity, integrating real-time strategy and action elements with the exploratory playability of an adventure title into one game. It may take up eons of play time to finally solve, but one thing's for sure: you will become absorbed in the Star Control universe that unfurls before you.
  5. A good game that maintains the excitement and feeling that made it's predecessors classics, while adding enough improvements to insure it's niche in gaming history.
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 37
  2. Negative: 15 out of 37
  1. JasonPlott
    Aug 31, 2009
    5
    Star Control III is an oddity. The writing, while not quite on par with Star Control 2, is certainly better than many modern titles and isStar Control III is an oddity. The writing, while not quite on par with Star Control 2, is certainly better than many modern titles and is enough to keep you playing through the weak strategy sections and boring exploration. The overall effect, however, feels like you're playing a fan game.

    Unfortunately, SC3 fails to trump SC2 in any way with its uncomfortably foreign melee mode and forgettable soundtrack. It's an interesting diversion, but don't expect it to be better than or even as good as SC2.
    Full Review »
  2. Feb 16, 2011
    10
    Ok, yes. It's not Star Control II, arguable one of the very best games ever made.

    But it doesn't deserve all these 1 star reviews. SC3
    Ok, yes. It's not Star Control II, arguable one of the very best games ever made.

    But it doesn't deserve all these 1 star reviews. SC3 actually had a lot of great moments, beautifully crafted aliens, and well performed dialog. The ship mechanics and gameplay weren't as good, and the story not as satisfying, but this game had amazing personality. I've played it through again and again and will always remember it fondly. Star Control II is better, but if you've played it a million times and know the story by heart, Star Control III is the nearest thing available.

    It's a shame there aren't more recent options out there and there was never a true sequel, but at least they tried. If you just want to go out there and talk to aliens, this game is awesome. And that's my ideal videogame, one where I just wander around and talk to aliens. For that - thank you Star Control 3, thank you.
    Full Review »
  3. GaryH.
    Jan 4, 2007
    2
    A travesty. SC2 was a classic; this is an ugly and almost unplayably bad cash-in on the name of its predecessor. Avoid.