A Crusade In Space
My first experience of an ST turn-based strategy game was with Sabre Team. I loved it, and it was one of those moments I wondered why I had spent my life 'avoiding' such games. Sure, I didn’t initially grasp the concept, but once I realised it wasn’t a run-and-gunner, I loved it. Games like this eat away the hours in the best way possible. I enjoy the careful pace, the planning, and the risk involved with every decision.
I suppose I've become a fan of turn-based games now. How did that happen?
B Squad, released in 1996 by Richard Hansell, has elements suspiciously similar to Space Crusade. So if you enjoyed that (stupendous) game, then I reckon you're gonna be head over heels about this one! However, please note that this is the demo version, and, with a heavy heart, I expect the full version hasn't been released. Possibly because few people registered so late in the ST's life? If it had been released a few years earlier, I imagine it would have been a hit (££) like so many other PD/Shareware games in our library.
Before we begin, let's take a look at the first screenshot of my A-Team in action...
As you can see, the user interface is minimal, but incredibly effective.
(iPhone screenshots for this review rather than from Hatari)
User Interface
The story takes us into deep space as our ship docks with another that is (wait for it) infested with aliens! Of course, it is. And their queen has even taken control of the ship’s computers, preventing us from accessing the terminals, which means she also controls the AI droids. The good news is that we're not alone and part of a team of six military soldiers armed, who obviously have never seen any of the Alien movies.
When you first boot up B Squad, you're thrown into the start of a new game without so much of an intro or title music. The user interface is displayed alongside the main gameplay window and features our team and action buttons. Immediately, I'm impressed by this, as there is nothing worse than a chaotic screen of buttons offering functions that could easily have been simplified, as I found with (albeit excellent) Bio Hazard.
- To the right is our team, showing their name, health, and action points (you can right-click any to view stats and information that will help with weapons and more).
- Underneath are the movement arrows with the option to centre the gameplay screen around that particular character. These also scroll the gameplay window.
- The button with the little squares is a map of the ship. Use this!
- To the right of the map is the button to execute commands.
- Next to the funky image (of your currently selected) soldier carrying his gun is a "?". This is used to describe the surrounding area of any soldier (similar to Temple of Apshai).
- Now you have two more boxes that are blank until attacking - the top one informs you of the chance of hitting the enemy (the calculation is based on distance, location, and weaponry). The lower one displays their chances of defence, and feels more like the expected dice roll.
- Finally, there is a button on the left side of the (erm) left arrow. Use that to end your turn.
See, it takes longer to read that than to understand it. Let's see another screenshot...
We're inside the lift, which offers access to even more rooms to kill the beasts!
Let's play!
We're in control of six soldiers that we command in turn. Their efforts are executed using "action points" for walking/shooting. Being turn-based, the order of play is Your Turn - ST/Alien Turn - Random Events (before looping back to you again). The random events are a curious addition that works well; they might be something like jammed doorways or lifts failing, but could also be something irritating, such as random teleportation, or an explosion on a lower deck (which always seems to be where your soldiers are standing!).
Getting around is brilliantly easy using a grid layout for soldiers, enemies, and objects. Just select the soldier, and the screen changes to show all possible tiles that can be reached within the turn. Unlike in Space Crusade, walking doesn't need to be performed in one go, as you can move again later. This means you could move, shoot, and leggit (depending on how many action points remain). It's also worth noting that our soldiers need to walk around the team members during this action; you can't merely stride over a taken tile.
Each man (and two women) has their own skills and strengths, which should be taken into account before arming or positioning. Each person is different; for example, Hooper has tremendous strength, so I have him take point. Roxy has agility, with more movement on each turn. Dorian is expendable, but he is good at chucking grenades. Also, this approach applies to the cargo boxes you find along your travels - inside are grenades, scanners, health packs, or better weapons like flamethrowers, assault rifles, etc.
Remember, check the character's stats. Put the right weapons in the right hands...
- Roxy is an ex-pirate and is best with an assault rifle (found near the start).
- Dorian is someone I'm wondering why he's here. A poet, no less, and with poor combat skills. Great.
- Julius is one of my favourite soldiers and is great with an assault rifle and grenades.
- Hooper is great with a flamethrower.
- Tobias is a good all-rounder who is neither rubbish nor excellent. If you find a plasma device, he's your man. Powerful stuff that fwiw.
- Tallis is a great soldier and skilled with a Needle Gun.
The ship is split into three levels, which you access via the elevator (lift!). The current level is free of the Alien Queen, but she has Grubs and Droids roaming the corridors, so it isn't long before you bump into something. There aren't many different enemies to contend with, but they are plentiful...
- Grubs are like a blob filled with explosive gas, so don't let it get too close!
- Droids are, just as you would expect. And they are armed to the teeth.
- Nest Warriors are extremely vicious, breathing fire that can affect multiple soldiers who are close together.
- Look out for Turrets later on; they're controlled by the Queen and fire a powerful laser.
- Mines are something to obviously avoid. You may need to shoot some to create a pathway.
- The Nest Queen doesn't move, but it spawns Grubs through four tentacles. She is very strong and has bad breath, so beware! Beat her, and you've won the game.
It's worthwhile exploring everywhere on the current level before deciding to use the lift and venture deeper into the ship. My tip is to head northwest from your starting location, where many decent weapons await you. And you won't stand a chance against the queen unless you are equipped properly!
Let's see another iPhone shot of my ST's screen in all its fuzzy glory...
The map might be a bit cramped, but it's helpful. Especially when locating members of your team
who were teleported elsewhere during the "Random Events". Can you spot the poor sod?
Aesthetics
The graphics are like an amateur Space Crusade, with a clean design. Okay, I mean only the overhead part, as there is no funky-cool isometric display whenever the combat takes place. With that in mind, each part of the ship is distinct, and with descriptive text that adds extra depth to your current location (think of Temple of Apshai). Likewise, the user interface is nothing short of legendary, with a clutter-free display. However, and this is my only quibble, I wish our six soldiers had more variety rather than all looking the same.
Interestingly, this game uses the Blitter, which improves overall performance, especially when displaying new parts of the ship. So (yipee) play using an Atari STe if you can!
As for the audio, there is no music whatsoever, but we have DMA samples for shooting, explosions, cries, and (some) enemy movements. Sadly, our own men don't make a sound as they walk. But, thinking about that, I'm sure they're in stealth and wouldn't want to give away their position... Hmm, I know, I know!
Right, it's time for a screenshot break with the Alien Queen spawning Grubs...
The "final" room with the Alien Queen. She's a beast of an opponent who spawns Grubs.
You shall note the computer-controlled turrets? Well, the Queen controls those, so beware!!
CryptO'pinion
I've thoroughly enjoyed playing through until the end (yes, without cheating!!). Most games I feature on my little-known website are deleted after reviewing, as I'm always on the go with something new to play/review. That won't be happening this time. B Squad is one of the best shareware games I've played. If you enjoy a tactical slog exploring a spaceship whilst hunting down the baddies, then this is for you. I've only defeated the Alien Queen once and lost two team members, but it's an incredibly tough mission! You won't get anywhere near beating it without exploring every inch of the ship to scrounge for new weapons/helpful items.
Surely I've got something to whinge about? Well, the soldiers could walk faster, and although there are loads of cargo boxes, there aren't enough health packs. My only real quibble is with the random events that occur after the computer has had its turn. That "Random Teleportation" sends one of your teammates to a distant part of the ship. (Wow, what a whinger! I feel like slapping myself for that last whine because it happens so few times. At worst, it forces you to drop the plans you had to rethink and support that lone soldier).
B Squad is a legendary turn-based game and one I feel fortunate to have discovered (Richard, if I'd have known, I would have registered back in 1996). A terrific demo, and I can only dream what might have been with a full version. Quite literally one of the best games from the ST's homebrew library.
Play this game. Especially if you enjoy Space Crusade and want something new. PLAY B SQUAD!!!
I may have lost a couple of men, but I am victorious after killing the Alien Queen!!
It's an unfinished demo version, but I cannot deny how fantastic it is!!
