Good morning my fellow captains and admirals, it is hailing frequencies open for another edition of The Admiral’s Log and boy am I excited to settle in and talk Star Trek Online with all of you today. Because after several weeks of grinding through the 11th Anniversary Event, a great deal of us should be close to obtaining, or already have the T6 Temer-class Alliance Raider that the game is offering as this year’s reward for sticking with that aforementioned grind and well… I’m excited over the fact that we are going to spend a lot of time talking about that ship today. Simply because I love talking about the various ships of the line in this game. Because before we dive in, you’ve probably noticed that such a review, is a slight deviation from what I promised at the end of the ‘Leap of Faith’ Recap, since I’d made mention of the fact that we were going to talk about what this year’s anniversary event looked like in great detail.
 
But let’s be honest, no one wants to talk about the nit and grit of the grind, because we lived it. Nor does anyone want to hear about how many times I stabilized Omega Molecules, or what patrols I made use of on a regular basis to earn my reward. You all want to talk about the new ship and whether or not it is worth your while, since the last Alliance reward underwhelmed a bit. Thanks to its slow maneuverability and lack of innovation. But the good news, is that there is actually quite a bit to like about the Temer Raider. Such as the fact that it is aesthetically pleasing. Since there is something quite beautiful about seeing Romulan and Klingon innovation come together to create a vessel that is part Romulan Warbird and part Bird of Prey, to the point where the wings even move into attack position when Red Alert is sounded, and it is that kind of little stuff that we the fans love and eat up and the good stuff with this vessel doesn’t end there.
 
Because this is actually quite the fierce little ship in combat. Thanks to the fact that her initial weapons load out boasts five forward weapons, consisting of three anti-proton cannons and two photon torpedo launchers. Which makes her a predator in essence, since those cannons and those torpedoes will rip shields to shred with a sustained assault and to top it all off… the little sucker is fast and maneuverable. Which really is the anthesis of its sister ship, since there are no more long turn times and impulse engines that appear to be powered by molasses. In fact, this vessel is able to turn on a dime, which allows for quality combat to take place. But while those features definitely give the player some joy and a sense of outright superiority, since you’re able to hammer an opponent with impunity, there are pros and cons to every vessel in the game and this one has its unfortunate drawbacks as well.
 
Such as the fact that it is a little too fast and too maneuverable at times. Which seems like a petty nitpick but bear with me. Because you want a smooth flight when you’re doing whatever you’re doing in a space-based mission, and I couldn’t help but notice that the littlest bump on the controller, would wildly change my course on a moment’s notice, prompting me to correct my course, on several occasions. But while that is something that might disappear after practice with the ship, since they do require a little time to master… the one glaring issue that cannot be fixed, is her aft weapons load out. For there is only a single weapons slot. One that comes initially with a photon torpedo launcher. That’s it. Which means that if an enemy flanks you, you have to give the ol’ girl a flip to give that sneak the business. Which is fine, since it flips fast… but if your forward shields are weakened, as they often are since you’ve got her nose and weapons array pointed at an opponent, your hull will take a beating.
 
Plus, constantly having to flip to chase off or punish a flanking vessel, slows down combat. Which seems counterintuitive as to what this is vessel is designed to accomplish. If anything, it is probably best to use this ship in Task Force Operations or in coordinated fleet missions, so that her flank can be protected and so that she can be properly utilized in ripping shields to shreds. But as for being an everyday vessel, well that’s up to the player for certain. Since its combat drawbacks might make it a liability. So, personally, I’ll keep the A.F.S. Valkyrie (CSN-7541) in my active roster for missions that require speed and force, but the U.S.S. Galactica will remain my primary vessel. Since the Odyssey-class boasts incredible versatility and firepower and well, now that the Anniversary Event is coming to a close, the time has come to turn our attention to the wonder of First Contact Day and what that celebration looks like this year, is where this blog will pick up, next time. Until then, Galactica out.

Well, hello again my fellow captains and admirals! It is hailing frequencies open once again for The Admiral’s Log and well, I hope that each and every one of you out there are enjoying this year’s Anniversary Event in Star Trek Online. For this admiral has come to discover that there is a ton to do this year, to the point where I am finding myself in game for a lot longer than I usually am, and that’s not a bad thing in the slightest. Because this is STO we are talking about here and being able to fly about the galaxy in your own starship and live your own Trek adventure is just the best. Especially when some of the missions you take part in, dive into aspects of the franchise that have only been touched upon lightly, such as today’s spotlighted episode.
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For the finale mission in 'House Reborn' deals with Klingon Religion in the most unique way imaginable. For ‘Leap of Faith’ revolves around J’Ula’s attempts to reunite Chancellor L’Rell’s soul with her body and well… that takes the player into a place that up until now has only been relegated to myth and legend and outright hallucination… Gre’thor. Which is basically, the Klingon equivalent of Hell for those unfamiliar with the word and uh, gotta admit, this was quite the surprising destination to inject into the game. Because it more or less confirms that an afterlife exists in a universe where science rules the day, and uh… that likely means we need to settle in and discuss the implications of that somewhere down the line, since that is a huge deal. 

But in the here and the now, it is best we focus upon the mission itself, because it does boast quite the wild story. One that is full of surprises and offers out a shout out to the franchise's rich past. Since our voyage through Gre’thor does indeed feature the Barge of the Dead, a method of transport that was first featured in a Star Trek: Voyager episode, that boasts the same name as that boat, complete with the ferry master that appeared in that particular tale and it is rather wild to be standing on this barge whilst you wait to enter the gates of Hell and what you find there, is equally as incredible. For it is the perfect hybrid of the human concept of Hell, with all the Klingon aesthetics that speak to dishonor and the wonder of this fascinating place don’t end there.

Because eventually, you get to meet and fight, Fek’lhr. Who just so happens to be the Klingon equivalent of the Devil and your battle with him is all part of the plan to free L’Rell. Which of course you manage to do, giving hope to all that the Empire might find peace and unity and the Warrior’s Way once again. But while that is a happy ending to a fantastical tale, let’s be honest… there’s one big surprise hanging over this particular tale that genuinely leaves one excited for the future of Klingon themed storytelling in this game. Simply because we also came to learn that Gowron, the once proud and eventually mad Chancellor of the High Council, that appeared in multiple episodes of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine​, is roaming about the Klingon afterlife and looking for purpose, and well… he might be returning to the forefront of storytelling when this mess is over and that really is a fascinating prospect.

Simply because he could potentially redeem himself for his sour ending in DS9 and it will be interesting to see what STO does with the character down the line. But while we wait for that day to come, we can bask in what is hands down, the game’s most unique story to date. Because this one really is loaded to the brim with all kinds of philosophical concepts about Heaven and Hell and morality, and it does add an incredible wrinkle to the Klingon mythos for certain and one does have to wonder if Star Trek Online will explore this further on down the line, by perhaps even going so far as to explore what lies beyond the gates of Sto-vo-kor. But for now, the time has come for the Empire and its civil war to potentially come to a close and since it will be some time before those missions arrive, it is back to the Anniversary grind and what that looks like, is precisely where this blog will pick up, next time. Until then, Galactica out.

Well, hello again my fellow captains and admirals! It is hailing frequencies open for The Admiral’s Log and in today’s edition of this blog, the time has come to once again dive into a brand-new episode in Star Trek Online. Because the launch of ‘House Reborn’ brought with it two fresh stories for players to partake in and truth be told, I was pretty darn excited to dive into these. Simply because the writing has been top-notch in this game as of late, since this plot thread has provided us with one of the juiciest Klingon related storylines in years. One that has put the future of the Empire in great peril and well, when we catch up with J’Ula in ‘Knowledge is Power’, she is hoping to save the Klingon Empire by walking the same path as her brother did two centuries ago.

Which means it is off to the monastery world of Boreth, to see what the Time Crystals that reside there can teach her. Which of course, immediately gets the player excited to walk the hallowed halls that Captain Christopher Pike once did. But alas, shortly after a quick battle, it becomes clear that your character won’t be beaming down to the planet. Instead, you are relegated to combat patrol above the planet to keep J’Ula safe, leaving one to wonder exactly how this episode is going to play out and how exactly you get to stand in those aforementioned halls… and that is when the game outright surprises you, by allowing for you to take control of the now redeemed J’Ula and experience her journey through Boreth firsthand, and this is just… brilliant.

Because it allows for players that haven’t chosen the KDF path in game, to finally get a proper Klingon experience. One that teaches the player about the proud traditions of the Empire and the power of honor as you go through some fascinating and difficult trials with J’Ula. The kind that features combat with Klingon legends and J’Ula’s inner self in order to find the answers she so desperately seeks and speaking of combat, I honestly didn’t expect to find much of that in this mission since Boreth is an isolated and sacred world. But alas, J’mpok’s treachery and bloodlust know no bounds and that forces the player to genuinely fight for every inch forward in this mission and that also makes the finale of this tale quite satisfying to say the least. Since you eventually reach the Time Crystals and take part in some powerful visions.

The kind that shows J’Ula the end of Qo’noS and the end of the Empire and our main character’s life as well, if J’Ula opts to stay on this current path, and you’re also treated to a fascinating vision that sees a being forged in fire, hoist the sword of Kahless to the sky, in order to finally reunite the houses and well, it is that second vision that brought forth the finest moment in this tale. For Tenavik (played brilliantly by Sam Witwer here) realizes that the forging in fire aspect of that vision, relates to a special facility on Boreth. One that can clone old heroes in a time of need for the Empire and toying with that once again, brings forth the return of Chancellor L’Rell. A Klingon warrior that is so savvy and so brave that she should be able to bring order to chaos… provided of course J’Ula can bring L’Rell’s soul back to her body and it would seem that quest will be the focus of the second episode in this arc.

An arc that quite frankly, is about as epic as they come. Because this particular story, while intimate in nature, really does make it clear that the Klingon Empire is in complete and utter chaos at the moment, to the point where warring factions are eager to throw courtesy and tradition aside and well, it will only get worse before it gets better. Which definitely compels the player and this admiral to continue the journey post-haste. So, we can all learn exactly how J’Ula will pull L’Rell’s soul from Sto-vo-kor and reunite it with her body, and see firsthand... how exactly the resurrected chancellor will figure out how to unite a completely fractured Empire and well, that particular journey is where this the log will pick up, next time. Until then, Galactica out.

Well, hello again my fellow captains and admirals! Its hailing frequencies open for another edition of The Admiral’s Log and boy do we have a lot of goodies to discuss today. Because it’s that time of the year again, since anniversary season in Star Trek Online is upon us. Which means that our favorite game is loaded to the gills with all kinds of treats right now. After all, ‘House Reborn’ is now live, and there’s new missions that expand upon what happened in ‘Partisans’ for us to partake in. Plus, there’s a new Alliance ship out there to obtain and well… that means the grind to earn one is in full effect, since this year the criteria to snag that puppy is slightly different.
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Because for the 11th Anniversary event, you have to earn two points per day toward your reward goal. Which means just scanning for and stabilizing Omega Particles isn’t going to cut it. No instead, you’ll need to finish some missions and patrols in order to earn your keep. Which means that in the coming weeks, I’ll be chronicling my own quest to get my hands on that Romulan-themed beauty and of course… we’ll be recapping all the new missions in great detail. Because it is always a joy to settle in and nerd out about this game with all of you fine fleet officers. However, before we begin to dig deep into all of the new offerings from this phenomenal anniversary event, we still have some catching up to do on a prior mission.

For I didn’t get the chance to complete and discuss the last element of the ‘House Shattered’ expansion, which was the ‘Synth Wave’ TFO and well, now that I’ve finally had the chance to do that, boy do I have some serious regretti. Because this Star Trek: Picard themed mission is simply a powerhouse TFO, and I really should have played this sooner. For this is a mission that plunges the player into an incredible hypothetical simulation. One that ponders upon what would have happened if Starfleet was able to respond to the Synth Attack on Mars that happened on First Contact Day in 2385 and well, the first fascinating tidbit of truth to come out of that particular hypothesis, is that Starfleet captains… would have been overwhelmed at the sight of seeing a core Federation world burning beneath their ships.

Which isn’t some metaphorical exaggeration. Mars really is burning, while wave after wave of Synth assembled vessels work to slaughter innocent lives and that makes this one intense TFO for certain. One that forces the player to slip into triage mode and save whomever they can as the situation deteriorates into a hopeless Kobayashi Maru type scenario. But all world-building and intensity of the mission aside, this mission is so rich and so detailed, that you cannot help but sit there for a second and take a moment to appreciate the work that hat went into its creation. Because this is a living and breathing nightmare, one that genuinely captures the scope of this dark day, and it doesn’t hurt that Holst’s classic; ‘Mars: The Bringer of War’ is the soundtrack for this particular mission either. 

If anything, all of these elements make this quite the intense ride, one where at times your vision is blurred by the abundance of warp core breaches surrounding your ship and really, in the end, this just goes to show that everyone involved in this game… is working hard to create an immersive Star Trek experience. One that tugs at your feels and drops your jaw and this particular mission definitely accomplishes that, and it leaves this admiral eager to dive into the new Klingon missions. Just to see what kind of epic writing they are going to offer, and now that we’ve wrapped up this particular TFO, and are all caught up on any prior goals, those exact missions are where we will pick up next time. Until then, Galactica out.