Star Trek: Elite Force II

Star Trek: Elite Force II (2003) followed up on the successful first-person shooter, this time with the crew relocated to the flagship USS Enterprise-E from the Next Generation era. Development shifted from Raven Software to Ritual Entertainment, which built the game on an improved version of similar technology and kept the proven combination of shooting, puzzles, and cooperation with crew companions, this time featuring both new faces and familiar Enterprise officers. The game world also contained references to the previous installment, so players who had finished the first Elite Force recognized continuities in characters and equipment, and the game takes place shortly after the events of the previous episode.

Compared to the first game, Elite Force II is more action-oriented and linear, emphasizing cinematic sequences, more elaborate character animations, and a faster pace across missions that rely less on exploration and more on sustained firefights. The player, once again in the role of a security officer, deals with sabotage aboard the ship, an alien invasion threat, and betrayal from within the crew, while the game relies less on tricorders and puzzle sections than the original and leans more on action, explosive set pieces, and battles against unconventional enemies across several distinctly styled environments. The level design also placed greater emphasis on vertical combat and the use of the ship's systems as part of the environment, which added variety to an otherwise more linear mission structure compared to the more open first game. The music and sound design, meanwhile, remained at a level similar to the first game, helping maintain the atmosphere even in faster-paced sections.

Why play: Elite Force II is a good choice for players who enjoyed the first game and want a shorter, more action-packed sequel set aboard the Enterprise from the Next Generation era. It's not a revolution over its predecessor, but it offers a cohesive, well-produced experience for fans who want to see a different ship, a different crew, and somewhat more straightforward action in a similar style to the first installment.