Uploaded January 2012 | Updated September 2026, 24 minutes ago

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Star Trek Online (STO) is a free to play 3D sci-fi MMORPG based on the Star Trek Franchise. It is developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Perfect World Entertainment.

In Star Trek Online, each player acts as the captain of his or her own ship. Players are able to play as a starship, controlling the ship's engineering, tactical and science systems by keyboard/mouse or using an on-screen console. Players can also "beam down" and move around as a player character in various settings with access to weapons and specific support and combat skills relating to their own character's class.

The two combat systems are intertwined throughout the game: away-team missions feature fast-paced "run-and-gun" combat, while space combat stresses the long-term tactical aspect of combat between capital ships. Both are offered in concert with the Star Trek storyline and emphasize ship positioning to efficiently utilize shields during space combat, as well as the player's away team's positioning in consideration of flanking damage and finding various weaknesses to exploit during ground combat.

The game features a variety of ship classes which can be used by all players. Playable ship classes utilize one of three templates for appearance (additional ones can be unlocked/purchased in C-Store and using alternate methods) and can be "kitbashed" together or recolored to make a unique ship. Ship classes are not restricted based on a player's specialty; any class of starship is available using only the player's rank as a prerequisite,[14] however, a player's earned skills often corresponds with one or more ship classes.

Factions are major powers in Star Trek Online. Only two factions are currently playable, other factions are encountered in PVE mission. The United Federation of Planets faction is available to all players at the start of the game. The Klingon Empire faction is only unlocked once players have attained a Federation character with a rank equal to or greater than Lieutenant grade 6.

Player specific abilities are earned as you spend skill points and achieve higher ranks and grades. Whilst you may be at a specific level, you will not unlock the corresponding ability until you have spent enough skill points. There are 3 careers/classes that players can choose. Each of the careers offers specializations in professions as well which really allow a player flexibility and customization:
1.Tactical Officer
- The true damage dealer of the bunch, Tactical Officers focus their attention on the different ways to knock out enemies. Whether it's toe to toe with guns blazing, or sneak attacks, the Tactical Officer will be looking for ways to dish out more damage.

2.Engineering Officer
- The Engineering profession is most closely associated with tanking, being able to survive both on the ground and in space. Engineers are also commonly associated with hotdogs due to the standard issue mustard uniforms worn by Starfleet officers who follow this career path.

3.Science Officer
- The Science Officer is the support class overall. It excels in disrupting enemy attacks and strengths while patching up comrades in arms through healing.

When player starts the game he/she can choose from 14 species:
1.Human
2.Andorian
3.Bajoran
4.Benzite
5.Betazoid
6.Bolian
7.Ferengi
8.Pakled
9.Rigelian
10.Saurian
11.Tellarite
12.Trill
13.Vulcan
14.Alien
More species can be unlocked during the game.

Upon completing missions, players gain Skill Points, Bridge Officer Skill Points, various credits (Faction currency, Exploration Badges and Marks, and/or the neutral currency known as Energy Credits) and on most assigned missions, players can choose a single prize from a multitude of reward items related to one of the above-mentioned ship or personal equipment categories. Equipment is organized in a similar arrangement to skills, applying to either ground equipment (kits, weapons, personal shields, and body armor) or spaceship parts (consoles, weapons, shields, deflector dishes, emitters, ship devices, and engines).

Teaming:
- It is possible for players to pool resources together in a number of ways. Missions are issued from Starfleet Command, and players can join together on the ground or in space. Gameplay is fully cooperative and dynamic events serve as one part of the game.

Fleet Actions:
- Similar to raids in other MMORPGs, Fleet Actions are special missions in which up to 20 players must cooperate to achieve a common goal. These missions can take place both in space as well as on the ground. Contrary to the name, players do not have to be members of a fleet (Star Trek Online's guilds) to participate.

The Foundry (User Generated Missions):
- The Foundry allows players to create their own missions and story-arcs that other players can play and then rate and comment upon.

Official site: startrekonline.com