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Star Control 3 Cheats & Cheat Codes for MS-DOS and PC

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

Star Control 3 Cheats & Cheat Codes for MS-DOS and PC

Star Control 3 is a 1996 space-based action-adventure game developed by Legend Entertainment and published by Accolade. It was initially released as an exclusive title for MS-DOS, but can now be found on PC if you use a distribution platform such as Steam or GOG.

The game was something of a critical darling, garnering a Metacritic score of 89, with strong reviews translating into solid sales for Star Control 3. However, long-term fans of the series proved to be a little harder to please. For the most part, fan reception to the game was far more mixed, with some even claiming it to be little more than fan fiction.

Star Control 3 Premise

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

©Screenshot from Star Control 3

There are a couple of main focuses of Star Control 3‘s gameplay. One such focus is the combat, which plays out on a 2D plane. The combat is fought between two starships, each using their own unique weapons and abilities to defeat the others.

Another key focus is the exploration, which allows you to travel between systems to interact with other races, and colonize planets. You must be careful in your dialogue with alien races, as it can affect your relationship with them going forward. This can make the game both easier and more difficult. There’s even a colony management system integrated into the game, which is how you earn resources to continue progressing.

While the majority of the game is played single-player, there is also a multiplayer aspect included. You can choose to play the combat sections of the game against other players, which is a great way to improve at this particular mechanic.

Star Control 3 Main Characters

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

©Screenshot from Star Control 3

In Star Control 3, the focus isn’t really on the characters. Instead, the game puts you in control of a nameless Captain, who deals with alien races on a broad basis, as opposed to specific individuals. Because of this, it’s hard to really say that Star Control 3 has a cast of main characters beyond its nameless protagonist.

Here’s what you need to know about the Captain in Star Control 3:

  • The Captain: The Captain is the protagonist of the game, returning from Star Control II. He is tasked with dealing in diplomacy and war against alien races, resulting in a final confrontation with the Heralds of the Eternal Ones.

Star Control 3 Titles in the Series

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

©Screenshot from Star Control 3

The Star Control series may seem like a relic of a bygone era of gaming now. However, it’s influence on gaming as a whole can not be understated. While the third iteration of the series may not have been beloved by fans, the first two certainly were, with creators of titles such as Mass Effect and Stellaris openly stating their admiration for the series.

We’re yet to see another Star Control game since 1996. A fourth installment was cancelled back in 1998, and complicated IP suits throughout the 2000s and 2010s that no more games have been able to get off the ground. In the end, the legacy of Star Control may be best defined by the games it inspired, rather than its own titles in the series.

  • Star Control (1990)
  • Star Control II (1992)
  • Star Control 3 (1996)

Star Control 3 Cheat Codes

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

©Screenshot from Star Control 3

While there aren’t many cheat codes for Star Control 3, there are a few. We’re going to show you the four that you can use in-game right now.

To use these Star Control 3 cheat codes, you just need to press the respective keys while in-game. Luckily, it’s not complicated.

Cheat CodeCheat Effect
Alt + F9Restores energy for Player One.
Alt + F10Restores energy for Player Two.
Alt + F1 or Alt + F2Slower game mode.
BackspaceStops all ships.

Star Control 3 Cheat Code FAQs

An in-game screenshot from Star Control 3.

©Screenshot from Star Control 3

How Do I Enter Star Control 3 Cheats?

For the codes we mentioned above, all you need to do is press the keys while in-game. There is no special cheat menu you need to enter. Pressing the keys suffices.

Is There Any Third-Party Trainers for Star Control 3?

Maybe – we can only find one third-party trainer for the game, which only has one setting: Super Fuel. This is over at CheatHappens. However, we can’t confirm whether this trainer is legit or not, so do your own research before installing.

Other than this, you’re on your own. Star Control 3 doesn’t even have a massive modding community either, so you can’t exactly replicate the effects of a cheat code via the download of mods.

Does Star Control 3 Have Achievements?

No. While the game does have a modern Steam release, no effort was ever made to retroactively add achievements to Star Control 3. It is definitely a shame, as they can be a great way to add new life to a game which has been well explored for decades now.

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