Throughout the mystery, the player will encounter characters from the Star Trek universe, including Captain Picard and Commander Data.

Voices for the game were provided by Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner, reprising their roles from the series.

For example, a player could issue the command to intercept a fleeing starship through the Helm menu, or order Lt. Felix Savali, the tactical officer to destroy an enemy ship.

[5] Bridge Commander incorporates a Quick Battle mode which is a combat simulation that allows the player to control any ship encountered during the course of the game.

After several months of repairs and refits, the Dauntless' first officer becomes her new captain, and after a brief resupply mission to the surviving Vesuvi colonies, an investigation into the star's destruction begins.

They also undergo a shakedown cruise to check for bugs in the ship's systems which results in a simulated battle against the USS Geronimo and two Birds of Prey.

Initial hostilities with the Romulans briefly lead the crew to suspect them as the culprits, but further evidence reveals a renegade faction of Cardassians are responsible.

The revelation of the Cardassians' responsibility for the destruction of the Vesuvi star leads to a full-scale war between the Federation and Matan's faction.

The game ends with Matan's ship falling into the star and the beginnings of formal diplomatic relations with the Kessok.

[10][11] In late 1998, publishers Activision made contact with Totally Games for the start of development of Bridge Commander.

[27] Ivan Sulic of IGN said that Bridge Commander was "the single most engaging Star Trek experience yet in gaming" and the "undisputed king of all that is starship combat",[23] but appreciated that some players may feel that it isn't as nonlinear as they might like.

[28] In 2016, Tom's Guide ranked Bridge Commander as one of the top ten Star Trek games.