Ultimately, "Star Control 3" is not remembered as fondly as its predecessor. Despite earning critical praise on release, the fanbase never warmed up to it. When "IGN" compiled their 2003 list of greatest games, they celebrated "Star Control II" while noting that "Star Control 3" "paled in comparison". Upon its re-release in 2011, "GOG.com" noted that fans were critical of the game, despite receiving excellent reviews. "Critical Hit" describes "Star Control 3" as "an able demonstration of computer graphics technology of the time," but "it went a little backwards in its integration of the series alien races, and poor combat modes. Developed without any input from designers Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III from Toys for Bob, most fans don’t consider it part of the series canon".