Writing for "PC Gamer", Michael Wolf places the game in context of the series, "where "Star Control 1" contained mostly strategic elements, as well as action-oriented melee between ships, "Star Control II" focused mainly on telling a story, while retaining the ship-to-ship combat. "Star Control 3", on the other hand, attempts to incorporate all three aspects of strategy, story, and action, with mixed results". Overall, "PC Gamer" awarded the game an "Editor's Choice" with a 90% rating, stating that the game "has some pretty big shoes to fill, and it does so beautifully". Tim Soete of "GameSpot" similarly praised its integration of strategy, action, exploration, and adventure, and rated it 9/10 as one of the best games of the year. "Computer Games Magazine" gave the game 4.5 stars, celebrating the plot and characters, and calling it one of the best games of the year. Giving the game four stars, "Next Generation" felt that the game's graphics and strategy mechanics did not live up to expectations, but the story and gameplay variety were more than enough to make it a great game. "PC Games" gave the game an A-, explaining that ""Star Control II" was a funnier, more colorful game, but "Star Control 3" supplies a superior gaming engine, [...] a sophisticated strategy-based colony system, fine Super VGA artwork, and far better game balance". That year, "Star Control 3" was nominated for a 1996 Spotlight Award at the Computer Game Developers Conference, for "Best Script, Story or Interactive Writing".