Star Trek Online is one of my favourite games I've ever played, but far from the best I've ever played.
The graphics mostly are decent and have vastly improved from when I first started playing. The game play loop is good and is addicting, although there is the occasional bug that puts a subspace rift on n the path of your trek through the stars. However, one of the best parts of the game has to be the plot. The plot of the whole game is so well written that it encompasses the whole of the Star Trek universe, both past and present. Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks, up until the Discovery missions, everything is all systems normal. The Discovery missions are shoehorned into the game to fit the new era and the writing leaves not just something, but everything to be desired. Characters make foolish decisions, the player is forced to work together and be friends with a mass murdering terrorist, and there are no repercussions for said terrorist after the story arc ends. Coming off the back of the earlier writing, it hurt to play. Since then, the writing has gotten much better with the Reflections/Refractions season after the entire Disco/Klingon House Divided debacle.
Next best thing the game has going for it is the customization for both the player's character, ship, and crew. Near-endless options appear for the player, that is, if you have enough money with a steady income. This game is excellent to start as free to play, but it will trounce you at the endgame. Seriously, if you like Stat Trek, find an expense you don't need and divert that money to this game, if you feel like it. The sheer amount of ships, bridge officer variations, outfits, gear etc to obtain is crazy.
That brings in the first con to the game, the money grab notion that most companies are falling for these past few years. In order to actually stay on top of your enemies and assignments, a ship with decent dps, speed and energy reserves is required, which can only be bought by ARC's zen in-game currency. There are ships rewarded to the player for being promoted, but besides those few ships it all can quickly cost an arm and a leg unless you know what you want and don't gamble the lock boxes..
To finish up, the musical score is well done, the map is extensive, the star ships look beautiful, and the game really makes you feel like a Starfleet officer, Klingon Warrior, Romulan, Jem'Hadar, what have you. There is much the game has to offer, if you have a deep pocket. One thing is clear, the devs know Star Trek, and they made this game for Trekkies.
