Welcome, Starfleet officers and interstellar strategists! I’m Jamie from J4miePlays, and in today’s special blog post, we’re taking an in-depth look at the latest monumental update for Star Trek: New Horizons, aptly titled “A Mirror Shattered Expansion”. This isn’t just another compatibility patch for Stellaris 3.1.3; it’s a substantial expansion that propels us into the thrilling, often tumultuous realms of the Mirror Universe.
As hinted by the expansion’s name, “A Mirror Shattered Expansion” introduces an exciting new scenario set in the Mirror Universe, allowing players to navigate a lesser-known epoch of its history. This update rolls out with two new Mirror Universe maps—one from the pre-Terran era—and expands all Empire setups to fit this alternate reality. Also, it introduces three fresh empires designed exclusively for these maps:
- The Terran Resistance, challenging you to ascend from the ashes of the fallen Terran Empire and reclaim galactic prominence.
- The Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, aiming to dominate the new quadrant as a rising superpower.
- The Republic of Hope, a fledgling nation striving for survival amidst formidable adversaries.
Another key feature is the revamped Star Trek New Horizons combat mode, which enhances space battles by slowing them down to more accurately mirror the tactical and visually stunning engagements we’ve seen on screen.
The update also brings a novel megastructure to the game: the Traffic Control Hub. This facility integrates hyper-relay travel features into Star Trek New Horizons and introduces a traffic control policy that automatically establishes control centres in every new starbase and outpost.
Weapon balances and adjustments have been made based on beta feedback, including enhancements to the anti-Borg edicts, boosting their effectiveness in combat against the Borg menace.
A significant overhaul has also been given to science ships. Now, all science vessels can be equipped with limited armaments to defend themselves while evading threats in uncharted systems. Furthermore, new exploration cruisers have been added for each race, employing a generic ship class to bolster their defences during missions.
In terms of lore and narrative depth, additional elements related to the Breen and discovery-era insights have been woven into the gameplay, enriching the overall experience. Shuttle limits have been removed, reflecting their ability to traverse vast distances, and supply depots now host commodores instead of soldiers, aligning more closely with Star Trek canon.
For those interested in aesthetics, the update doesn’t disappoint. There are new uniforms for the Coalition of Hope and the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, updated Betazoid clothing options, and refreshed Suran portraits. Ship designs haven’t been left behind; several new ship classes and models have been introduced, including those for the Confederacy of Earth and updated textures for Terran Empire vessels.
As we wrap up, it’s important to note that while the patch is nearing completion, it’s still undergoing final beta testing. It’s expected to launch within the next week, barring any significant bugs or crashes that might arise. For the latest information and updates, be sure to join the Star Trek New Horizons Discord group, the Paradoxical Group, and visit our subreddit.
I hope this overview has ignited your excitement for the “A Mirror Shattered Expansion”. If you enjoyed this post and are looking forward to more updates, don’t forget to like and subscribe. See you next time for another thrilling exploration into the Star Trek: New Horizons universe!