The mission: To create a Star Trek game that would bridge the chasm between the Next Generation series and the cyber world. This program would appeal not only to Trekkies, but to the fan of role-playing action/adventure games. It would combine elements of the familiar with mysteries of the undiscovered.

As Captain Jean-Luc Picard would say: "Make it so."

Activision has. And the result is a role-playing game that is brilliant.

Star Trek: Hidden Evil begins following the adventure depicted in the motion picture, "Star Trek: Insurrection." The Son'a and some Federation officials were attempting to drain all the metaphasic energy out of the rings that surrounded the home of the Ba'ku. It turns out that those rings gave the Ba'ku a kind of immortality. Picard and the Enterprise foiled those plans, but the Ba'ku were a kind, forgiving people. Instead of mounting a campaign against the Son'a, the Ba'ku invited them to settle on their planet — albeit the other side. It seems that the Son'a and Ba'ku are the same race; but because the Son'a had left the planet hundreds of years before, the two species age differently and look different.

The Federation considered the plight of the Ba'ku and the fantastic rings that surround their planet, and decided to create an outpost to stand guard over the region.

It is in the construction of the Son'a colony that something very old, something ancient has been unearthed. (Hint - take a gander at the title of the game.) Now it is up to Picard, Data, and other crewmembers of the Enterprise to save not only the Ba'ku, but the Son'a, as well.

The setup is quite intriguing, but is secondary to the game itself.

Star Trek: Hidden Evil is a delight, a romp from the Enterprise to and around the planet. You play the part of Ensign Jaden Sovok, a human born on Vulcan. After your parents were killed, you were adopted by the Vulcan scientist Si'tann, who is teaching you some very unique Vulcan techniques — such as the nerve pinch. You'll need to know how to execute this maneuver if you hope to play the game. It is a primary training mission that opens the gates to the rest of the game.

The key is to approach your target rapidly, get close enough so that you think you are standing on top of him and then apply the hold. It is not as easy as it sounds. And don’t count on pulling out a phaser, it doesn’t work that easily. Any Star Trek fan can imagine how a self-respecting Romulan (even a holodeck one) would react to a finger-dance on his neck.

But accomplish this feat and you are treated to a three-dimensional world wrought with danger. Sure the price of admission is a little reflexive dexterity, but this game combines the cerebral and a quick trigger, make that decision, finger.

This program hits warp speed in the sound department. Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner, as Picard and Data respectively, have signed on for the ride and give this program much of its authentic feel.

Where Star Trek: Hidden Evil fails is in the camera angles. The program puts the player at a disadvantage with a fixed camera. You may understand the depth of the playing field, but until you get a firm grasp on it, the angle can cause deception and failure. And the controls are keyboard-centered. If you rely on the mouse controls, or even joystick, you will be lost. You must have command of the keyboard to succeed.

The game board itself is wonderfully rendered. The players spring to life in the three-dimensional field. Adding Picard and Data, fully animated, breathes a sense of ‘film becomes alive’ to this game. Even minor faults - such as the camera angles - are forgiven when thrust into this realm.

What Mr. Barclay may only have created in holodeck dreams, Activision delivers in solid intrigue, and joy in this title.

“It’s continuing mission” is to entertain, and this title does. If your wish is to beam aboard the Enterprise, this title will get you as close as you can get ... for now.

Installation: 7. While the install time does little to spark enthusiasm, once launched, this program--from the opening theme to the rich vocal incantations of Patrick Stewart--will make you notice that this is not your ordinary Star Trek game.

Gameplay: 8. Hidden Evil does not ask a lot from a computer system, but delivers in three-dimensional fun.

Graphics: 8. In spite of the fixed camera angle, the scenes are well rendered. The polygonal Picard and Data may seem a little stilted, but you get the very real impression that they are there.

Sound: 10. Simply incredible.

Concept: 8. In general terms, this may not go where “no one has gone before,” but in terms of the continuing mission, it blazes new trails.

Difficulty: 9. Yes, it is tough. You must rely on not only reflexes, but brain power to move through this maze of puzzles and mini-missions.

Value: 9. To be a part of a Star Trek mission is a fantasy, and Activision gives game players that opportunity.

Overall: 8.4