Starfleet Command Volume II: Empires at War is a galactic war simulation and strategy game in the Star Trek universe. While Starfleet Command Volume II remains at its core a tactical starship simulation, the game's most exciting new addition is the online Metaverse, where you can lead your ships out into hostile territory that's populated by thousands of real opponents. In order to thrive, whether in a single player game, a multiplayer skirmish, or in the Metaverse, you'll need to know everything you can about your own ships and their weapons, and those vessels and weapons that your enemies will bring to bear on you.Starfleet Command Volume II has been redesigned from the ground up to provide a richer solo gaming experience and has a totally redesigned fleet control interface. Experience new races such as the Mirak Star League and the Interstellar Concordium and their new weapon systems. The Interstellar Concordium have a powerful Plasmatic Pulsar Device to enforce peace on the known powers. The Mirak specialize in missile combat and have the most fearsome missile cruisers ever seen in the Star Trek universe.Major enhancements to the game's 3D engine include colorful dynamic lighting effects from suns, weapons fire, and explosions. The lighting in the game is now directional and amazingly cinematic. Ships and even some planets now have luminosity maps that make parts of the models glow. Progressive damage textures demonstrate the punishment that targets are suffering. A redesigned Fleet Control system improves your ability to give orders, and allows you to select formations for your ships. With up to three ships of your own, you can also control up to three captured vessels for a total of six ships in a single engagement.