Star Control 2 - Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah

[@barricade8957]

Star Control 2, Freespace 2 - The '90s had the best damn scifi games ever. Back when plot & character were vastly more important then making something look shiny, with details out the ass.

[@Kalamazoo222]

alone would allow for. They enjoy victory twice in defeating their opponents to justify a legacy they have related in advance of destroying them. It is a profoundly philsophical act to relate the story and then to proceed accordingly to "cleanse the filth." Their defeat at the hands of the 'filth,' or 'threat,' better yet, is unanticipated. If you died at the hands of the Kohr-Ah, not only would relating their story first be profound, but also prove elegant in terms of their victory over you.

[@xyierz]

@GraveHorizon The frog-like thing is a "talking pet", a genetically modified Dynarri that translates for the Ur-Quan. The talking pet is translating for the Kohr-Ah.

[@checopoco]

The storyline of this masterpiece of game is simply epic

[@Savior1024]

@elShoggotho Almost. The Kzer-Za, being Ur-Quan (in other words, not "threats", but "enemies"), are not cleansed, merely defeated. They are guarding the Sa-matra during the Kohr-Ah death march, and then the two subraces continue their way around the galaxy.

[@Kenrae008]

That game was so much... awesome. Amazing. It's still one of the best to these days.

[@spurgear]

You have spoken them rightly.

[@Hotshotter3000]

Wow... that was deep. I mean REAL deep. Why hasn't anyone made a movie of this yet?

[@RettMikhal]

I still replay this every so often along with other childhood games like the Sierra Adventure games just to relive the memories. When I found out the Ur-Quan were not mindless killing machines it blew my eight year old mind.

[@OmnipotentGoggles]

I love the difference in delivery between Kohr-Ah and Kzer-Zah when they hear the words. To the Kzer-Zah, it's a formality, a protocol; to speak the words earns am explanation and a repeated request to surrender. To the Kohr-Ah, it invokes that same emotion they felt thousands of years ago when the species that would become the Melnorme uttered that plea: an intense guilt, one strong enough to justify themselves to their victims ... but not strong enough to stop. A formality born of history to one, a compulsion born of trauma to the other.

[@StarWarrior008]

who ever wrote this is story is EPIC GENIUS !

[@wtfbuggo]

This is the greatest game ever made. Creativity on this level has ceased to exist :(

[@RuralTowner]

Was brought here after finding out the truth of why the Shivans destroyed the Capella Star. Haunting and intriguing these both are.

[@MrIronhat]

The Kohr-Ah are just so much more awesome then the Kzer-Za.

[@ZimoP]

The Kohr-ahs' adherence to the more extreme doctrine out of the two could be plausibly justified by their worse past facing the full force of Dnyarris' cruelty as the fully expendable workhorses and soldiers of the empire. Ironically the Kzer-Za, being the politicians and scientists, were second only to the Dnyarri in the hierarchy of well-being. The reason Mael-Num (Melnorme) and Yuptar didn't pursue a similar path after becoming free was probably because Kzer-Za, while not as numerous as the Kohr-Ah, actually had the power being a part of the formerly favored race of the Dnyarri, to pursue the plan in the wake of their trauma right away, only winning against the Kohr-Ah because of a vast stockpile of knowledge amassed during Dnyarri rule enabling them among other things, to find Sa-Matra.. The Melnorme do sympathize with their way of thinking in the information sold to the captain. Their "long-term goals" could encompass a similar campaign of domination/extermination, and they would turn out to be one of the main villains in the would-be sequel. That'd be an awesome twist in a way.

[@Wargoat6]

+Simo P. So the Melnorme wants to protect themselves by dominating others, but economically?

[@ZimoP]

+Wargoat6 That's just the stepping stones, I'm entertaining the idea they wouldn't be above militaristic means deep down in their hearts. Perhaps they wouldn't mind obtaining a superweapon themselves. Im pretty sure they know the rainbow worlds were created by the Precursors.

[@cake6476]

"Mael-Num (Melnorme)" Holy crap I NEVER noticed that!

[@uraniumdeath]

Go to the Pages of Now and Forever. There is a recorded dialogue between Fred Ford/Paul Reiche, and fans of the game asking for explanations. Fred/Paul confirmed that the Mael-Num are the ancestors of the Melnorme.

[@MediaFilter]

@SpacemanSpiff11 After that hardcore exchange, one cannot help but be awed by the fact that you will be fighting them in... The Loveboat.

[@Deussu]

In fact the story they tell is .. logical enough to give them a reason to "cleanse". As the Kohr-Ah said, "Can you imagine what it feels like to feel screaming pain to month's end? No, you cannot." They've suffered a lot ... A LOT. They're just bitter. Wonder if I could have just given them cookies.

[@RhetoricWalrus]

I wonder if the Mael-Num became the Melnorme of the 'present'. One might imagine the species chastising itself over its naivety, and become determined to know and comprehend everything out of determination to control their own destiny..

[@Havic1137]

Funny, I sound and look just like that when I get up in the morning [joke]. Actualy, this guy is awesome.

[@123blahblahblahblah1]

Do you think its a coincidence Buenos Aires gets destroyed in "Starship Troopers" just like its happens in the events preceding Starcontrol 2?

[@Upwinger2020]

These are scary, profound villains. Their voice, their words..

[@tarsus85]

Except of the Melnorme! I think the Kohr-Ah gives a better Detailed account on the History of the Ur-Quans than the Kzer-Za does!

[@AgenonTaeche]

You should upload more Kohr-Ah and Kzer-Za dialogue :D theyre so very menacing

[@UBCForce]

I like the voice of Kohr-Ah more than the voice of Kzer-Za! But Ur-Quan Dreadnought is my favorite starship! I like his heavy weapon and the Dreadnought is large, beautiful and maybe fast(i'm not sure for the last) more than the Marauder according me! And the victory hymn of the green is AWESOME!!!

[@vladkornea]

The Spathi Eluder can beat both Ur-Quan ships with patience, their presence in the war might have really turned the tides; if only they weren't cowards. Nice to see a game mechanic (ship design) make a narrative point.

[@Xondar11223344]

I think they should make another Star Control game with the same charm and intelligence as Star Control 2.

[@sonofeyeabovealleffoff5462]

@Xondar11223344 They are, the original owners Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III are making The Children of Infinity. The TRUE Star Control 3. 2025.

[@Kalamazoo222]

The Kohr-Ah are a consumate warrior race and the fact that when challenged to explain their Doctrine they will stop to describe it to their prey is the most noble and endearing aspect of what is otherwise a xenocidal and murderous culture.

[@coldborelives]

this looks like a pretty sick game, i should try it out.

[@mertbalkan5904]

I really enjoyed this game. I still remember escaping from these guys into the nearest stellar system when they were chasing me. And feeling sorry for not being able to save the pkunks. Beaky cute fellas.

[@madhayro2]

Huh... You know I was thinking... Ur-Quan are supposed to have extremely strong territorial instincts. I read that Kzer-Za Dreadnaughts only have 1 Ur-Quan aboard because if they meet another Ur-Quan they'll fight to the death because of their instincts, so they have a bunch of battle thrall crew. How about for the Kohr-Ah??? Obviously THEIR vessels would have no non-Ur-Quan crew. Do they have better control over their killer instinct or what?

[@Crazymojo]

These guys had to hide out in the cold frozen north to avoid their producers in order to finish this game, no joke. If that's not commitment I don't know what is.

[@Poodleinacan]

And after his story... I don't want to kill him...

[@Asko83]

It's great that they actually gave the bad guys a reason for their actions instead of just makin one-dimensional bad guys. The Ur-quans (both races) are one of the most complex bad guys in any game.

[@MGMan37]

Man, Harbinger from Mass Effect 2 sounds exactly like this

[@Dunam]

@bluestreek004 Some sort of money drive would be more effective. Those game designers are still really funny and I've always got the impression they would prefer to work on a similar project. Gather the money, somehow and I'm sure it's possible to work out the details and get a remake or a real star control 2 sequel.

[@shivanthing]

And yes, games like minecraft, terraria, the walking dead, FTL. (mostly debatable) may, and probably will become classics someday. So of course there will be new classics, halo combat evolved is on that track already. All gamers won't agree on everything, but some people can't derive appreciation and enjoyment from some new games, it's just how it is. :P So in the end, everyone's right, it's just a matter of perspective.

[@Vumpalouska]

I wonder what became of the Ur-Quan after the events of Star Control 2. Perhaps, after they had been defeated by the Chmmr and the rest of the New Alliance of Free Stars, the survivors of both Ur-Quan subspecies were subjected to Umgah genetic modification and turned into a docile, harmless slave species for all eternity... A suitably karmic fate for them, don't you think?

[@GraveHorizon]

Compelling. One question: Which of the two creatures onscreen was the one that was talking? I couldn't tell.

[@Kalamazoo222]

You are wrong. The Ur-Quan are extremely intelligent as a species. The black Ur-Quan are no different except that they are predisposed to their kinetic tendencies. They still have all the sophistication of their ancient hunter-warrior bloodline. There is a certain generosity one will tend to demonstrate in circumstances where novelty is bound to go underappreciated. Since they consider their prey unworthy, this challenge offers a chance to present a testament to themselves greater than victory

[@superpenguin4500]

the bottom eyes never blinks!

[@PatraGR]

this one came out in 1992. mass effect came out on 2007...........

[@Poodleinacan]

@MGMan37 But he acts like a Dnyarri..."Assuming direct control." "We are Harbinger!"

[@aliveonmoonrocks]

@Kamfrenchie anywhere, look up urquan masters on google

[@Zellig]

I think starcraft ripped this voice off for the Overmind. This voice is awsome. Never played or even heard of this game.

[@Hotshotter3000]

I made that comment 3 years ago... who is making this movie and when is it coming out?

[@R0YB0T]

=) this game rocks

[@iris7eye]

wow. someone with intelligence. like finding a shiny start in a bleak, black sky...

[@IncognitoSprax]

Games had to make due with their limitations thus we got bad ass enemies. Now they don't have to so developers have become lasy.

[@SuperRobot17]

is the Kohr-Ah the giant black like centipede? or the small chubby light brown creature that is making movement under it? i think i read on 2010 that the little one is another alien species that is their slaves as translators .

[@ct918]

yes, the little creature *are* the Dnyarri, who, after defeat, are lobotomized and used as slave speakers as revenge.

[@RoyalFusilier]

Oh, it's just so lovely to see that some fans of great older titles can't help themselves, still, in trashing anything beyond their arbitrary bullshit nostalgic time limit of the 'good old days'. There are shit games now, and great games now, and there were great games then, and shit games back then by the job-lot. Deal with it. People say 'look how everything was better back then', in part, because all the forgettable crap... was forgotten, leaving only stuff worth remembering.

[@SaviourV]

Must've been a fart that the Ur-Quan smelt...^_^;

[@KzerZaKohrAh]

nice!!

[@Malroth00Returns]

then 100 of their ships die to one well flown Thraddish torch or Spathii Eluder

[@Ayelis]

They never claimed to be technologically superior. Is it their fault that when they provide options, people actually choose one?

[@caslaBBalsac]

Not exactly, but close.

[@Kamfrenchie]

looks good, where can i get this game ?

[@SpacemanSpiff11]

They are one and the same. It's been confirmed by the developers.

[@Kasadoll]

That's actually wrong....their doctrine is "the eternal doctrine" not now and forever...a minor error in an otherwise flawless speech

[@vladkornea]

Thank you, I felt sure it was The Eternal Doctrine. The Path of Now and Forever is the Kzer-Za doctrine.

[@skyblazer7]

Yikes. The Ur-Quan are practically boy scouts in comparison to their Kohr-Ah brethren.

[@MurrayTheMac]

Your ship is called "Loveboat"? ...

[@orionpirates]

I like the Kohr-Ah better than the Kzer-Za.

[@svofski]

Hahahaha, awesome.

[@Username93611]

The good ship LoveBoat. :P

[@shivanthing]

But the number of great games is constantly decreasing. That's the sad part. And what's worse, shit is getting nominated for goty.

[@captainspire9094]

The whole time I had more apathy for the Kohr-Ah than anything at this point. If the game wasnt so time constrained, I would have done almost anything to seek out a way of co-existing with them. They were just as focused to kill you in SC3

[@Ayelis]

There are two ways to coexist. You become a battle thrall or you become slave-shielded. ;)

[@DamonCzanik]

You might be interested... I've made entirely new artwork for the game, so you can play it at over 4 times the original resolution. It's called Ur-Quan Masters HD. You can view my channel to see a trailer.

[@RoyalFusilier]

As if crap wasn't pushed like hell back in the day. Given that The Walking Dead Game just dominated the Spike VGAs (to my honest shock), your assertion isn't backed up by the facts. Walking Dead, FTL, Minecraft, Terraria, the Persona series, 3, 4, and Arena, SpecOps: The Line, (all debatable, ofc) blah blah blah to infinity. These aren't classic titles, they're recent ones, and will in time become the new classics that we pine over when we lose our perspective on history.

[@koalabrownie]

Was Deus Ex HR a bland sequel? Was Enslaved, Mirrors Edge, or Bulletstorm a rehash? Does a game need to be perfect to receive game of the year? Star Control 2 isn't perfect either. For one it has virtually no replayability, the resource-gathering can get tedious and one can argue that some of the ships are a bit unbalanced. The only thing worth replaying is super melee and that's a rehash of sc1. The past looks rosier because the only things to survive are the things worth remembering.

[@Arcadia117]

this voice sounds like sovereigns from me xd

[@shivanthing]

Agree that modern warfare 3, was a pretty bad game by most aspects of design - but was still nominated for goty. So that proves my point. And skyrim got goty, believe that? It's a good game, but by no means is it that perfect. Now the other facts? The only thing you're right about, is that shit was pushed back then just like now. But the appeal, is going down the drain. No longer do we get these singular good games. We get rehashes, and bland sequels. (Star control 2, was a singular good game)

[@Poodleinacan]

Beats COD any time!

[@IncognitoSprax]

lazy*