Editing Star Control (section)

==Gameplay==
[[File:StarControl-ZXSpectrum.png|thumb|left|A ZX Spectrum screenshot]]
''Star Control'' is a combination of a [[Turn-based strategy|strategy game]] and real-time one-on-one ship combat game. The ship combat is based on the game ''[[Spacewar!]]'', while the [[turn-based strategy]] is inspired by [[Paul Reiche III]]'s 1983 game ''[[Archon: The Light and the Dark]]''.<ref name="HG101SC">{{cite web|author=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=September 11, 2018|title=Star Control|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/star-control/|access-date=October 20, 2020|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref> Players have the option to play the full game with the turn-based campaign, or practice the one-on-one ship battles.<ref name="retrogamer14" /> The game can be played by one player against the computer, or two players head to head.<ref name="HG101SC" /> The player can also assign the game's artificial intelligence to take over the strategy gameplay, the combat gameplay, or both.<ref name="cvg3">{{Cite book |last1=Glancey |first1=Paul |url=http://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-116 |title=Review - Star Control |last2=Leadbetter |first2=Richard |date=July 1991 |publisher=Computer and Videogames Magazine Issue 116 |pages=108–110 |access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>

The strategy campaign consists of several selectable scenarios, with nine missions on home computers, and fifteen on the [[Sega Genesis]].<ref name="retrogamer14" /> Each turn-based strategy mission begins with opposing fleets arranged on a rotating star map,<ref name="HG101SC" /> with each player controlling a faction of their choice.<ref name="retrogamer14" /> Each player has up to three ship actions per turn, which are used to explore new stars and colonize or fortify worlds.<ref name="Weiss2016"/> These colonies provide resources to the player's ships, such as currency and crew.<ref name="HG101SC"/> The goal is to move one's ships across the galaxy, claim planets along the way, and destroy the player's opponent's [[Space station|star base]].<ref name="Weiss2016"/>

When two rival starships meet on the battlefield, an arcade-style combat sequence begins.<ref name="Weiss2016">{{cite book|author=Weiss|first=Brett|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGRjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA202|title=Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990: A Complete Guide to Sega Genesis, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16 Games|date=21 September 2016|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-6794-2|page=202|access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> Each battle takes place on a single screen with an overhead view, zooming in as the two ships approach each other.<ref name="HG101SC" /> The battlefield includes a planet as a [[Hill sphere|gravity well]], which ships can either crash into, or glide nearby to gain [[Specific angular momentum|momentum]].<ref name="HG101SC" /> There are 14 different ships to choose from, with unique abilities for each.<ref name="Weiss2016" /> Ships typically have a unique firing attack, as well as some kind of secondary ability.<ref name="HG101SC" /> For example, the Yehat Terminator has a [[Force field (technology)|forcefield]], while the VUX Intruder can launch [[Limpet mine|limpets]] that slow rival ships down.<ref name="cvg3" /> Using these weapons and abilities will consume the ship's battery, which recharges automatically (with few exceptions).<ref name="HG101SC" /> Ships also have a limited amount of crew, representing the total damage a ship can take before being destroyed.<ref name="HG101SC" /> This ties into the strategic meta-game between combat, where the crew can be replenished at colonies.<ref name="HG101SC" />

The different starships are organized into two warring factions, the Ur-Quan Hierarchy, and the Alliance of Free Stars.<ref name="HG101SC" /> Each ship has different strengths and weaknesses, determined by their unique weapons and abilities, as well as their speed, battery, crew (health), and cost.<ref name="retrogamer14" /> Ship selection has a major influence over combat,<ref name="HG101SC" /> and players can discover matchups that give them an advantage.<ref name="cvg3" /> While expensive ships are usually more powerful,<ref name="retrogamer14" /> the weaker ships can still win in the hands of a skilled player.<ref name="HG101SC" /> The screen also displays a cockpit animation for each player, with unique character design for each alien and ship.<ref name="retrogamer14" /> The ships also have distinct sound deign, such as the barking Chenjesu drones, or the Ur-Quan Dreadnaught bellowing "launch fighters" when it initiates a strike.<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Staff |url=http://archive.org/details/Digital_Press_Issue_02_1991-11_Santulli_Joe_US |title=Reviews - Star Control |date=November 1991 |publisher=Digital Press - Issue 02 |pages=5–6 |access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>

As was typical of [[copy protection]] at the time, ''Star Control'' requested a special pass phrase that players found by using a three-ply code wheel, called "Professor Zorq's Instant Etiquette Analyzer".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Williams|first=Andrew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nLsrDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22star+control%22&pg=PT417|title=History of Digital Games: Developments in Art, Design and Interaction|date=2017-03-16|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-317-50380-4|language=en}}</ref>