If there is one thing I can say, it won't be the code that lets you down. I can see the mission structure of it getting tiresome for some people. Its easy to get in a rut by trying to progress through the game the exact same way every time.

I intentionally mix it up with the modes after catching myself doing that.

That isn't hating on it, you gave reasons for not liking it and they're all valid. The perspective is interesting because I don't care about Star Trek at all, but wanted the game after playing it at a show. The code w/medals and all was already done by the time I got mine.

The rest of my family aren't big gamers, but they love this machine. Not sure what it is about it and I don't think they even care about the rules, its just the game they go back to.

I dislike the phrase Chopping Wood (possibly even more than Mancave, but its close ), but this is what I was referring to in my initial post.

Other than Vengeance and Klingon Multiball modes I don't recall anything else starting on the fly, so its easy to let the mission structure of this game drag you into a rut. The only comparison I have a lot of experience with is Metallica. In that game, you get Sparky multiball going, and in the process of just playing that you may start up Fuel, Snake and And Justice For All modes and its just pure mayhem. You can have 3 or 4 bad games, then get on this roll either through skill or pure luck and its completely exhilarating. The music for one mode ends and the other starts right up. Sometimes you wonder what the hell you even did.

Because of the way the missions are structured in Star Trek its a much more calculated game, and that structure may appeal to a totally different kind of player... I like the difference because I like the variety, but I can definitely see Star Trek becoming a grind if you let the structure con you into playing the missions in the same order over and over.

If this type of play doesn't appeal to you, a software update is never going to fix it. Much of what everything does (like Photons and Shields) is printed right onto the playfield. I almost wish I had played the old code before getting mine, because the medals seem like a creative addition. This must have been a *very* dry and linear game in its original form!

No real recommendation, but what you said reminded me exactly of what I was doing. Playing the game the same way, always trying to complete the same 3 missions from the start to light Galactic Ramps. This linearity probably appeals to a certain type of player.

All I can do to mix it up is trying to light up the 3 in a row from wherever it starts me or do all levels of same mission in one shot. I definitely prefer a more free-flowing game, but still enjoy the ramps and layout of Star Trek.

I have mixed feelings on the mission start. Sometimes I just wish it'd be a ramp shot to keep things flowing, but its also kind of cool that it makes you get the ball controlled/trapped to start the next one. I'm pretty consistent with the left side shot because it feels just like the Drac shot on my old Taxi. I have some trouble getting it behind the 3rd flipper.