B SQUAD

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 was released in 1996 by Richard Hansell and 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 this is the demo version and, with a heavy heart, I expect the full version wasn't 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 within 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 that shows their name, health, and action points (you can right-click on 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 to.
• 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 it does to understand. 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 high agility with increased movements for 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, and more.

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. Although if you find a plasma device, then 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 that you access using 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 in number...

• 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 being controlled by the Queen, and they 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 would be to head northwest of your starting location, as many decent weapons are waiting to be taken. 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 that I love. 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 a 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 positively affects general 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 when walking. 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 and review. That won't be happening this time. B Squad is one of the best shareware games I've ever 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!!

• Atarimania has the download https://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-b-squad_30092.html.
• As the Blitter and DMA are used, B Squad is added to the Enhanced Games List!

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!!

Hero Quest

A board game? Meh, no thanks...

HeroQuest is one of those ST games I've seen mentioned many times, yet never bothered with it. That's probably because it's a board game and I'm not exactly a fan of those (except Monopoly!). The ST adaptation is modelled on that turn-based board game and retains a similar look using an isometric perspective. So, having never experienced Hero Quest, I attacked it with a fresh pair of eyes, not knowing what to expect.

Our adventure takes place in Morcar's castle. He's an evil wizard with an army of monsters: Orcs, Zombies, Mummies, Goblins, etc. Four valiant warriors have signed up for 13 torturous quests to defeat him. That means plunging the castle's depths to battle monsters, avoiding hidden traps, and grabbing loot or anything else that might aid the journey. Let's be honest, whatever the story, I'm in. Now, where did I put my sword?

Before beginning, we need to see a couple of screenshots. What glorious isometric graphics...

An Elf enters the room, much to the delight of the Wizard, who punches the air with joy.

This is when being a midget helps, sneak up on your prey, and club him to death!

Choose your warrior!

We begin by picking a preferred warrior(s) from four different races - Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, and Wizard. Before rushing off on the first quest, you should consider who you want to be and why, because they each have their own different types of strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. Even dice rolls, but more on that later.

The Barbarian is built for strength and is a trooper during the bloodiest of melee battles. Stumpy the dwarf is quite strong and also the crafty one of the bunch who uses handy skills to compensate his shortcomings. Elves and Wizards are physically weaker but the clever lads of the group. They use their brains to cast an array of magical spells without running the risk of having to get up close and personal.

Whether you're solo or not, there is an option to choose other characters instead of heading out as the Lone Ranger. It's optional, but there are benefits of having friends accompany you on the journey into the castle's terrors. It's here that you can also name your plucky hero and spend cash in the shop to buy weapons, armour, etc. Finally, there is the possibility of nursing a tired adventurer back to full health, but at what cost?

I suggest playing with two characters: the Barbarian is rock solid and the Elf is an all-rounder who offers the chance to experiment with magic. Umm, the Dwarf is a good option with traps or if something is blocking the way. The Wizard? Well, superb with spells but too squishy for my liking!

Let's take a look at a couple more screenshots of some rather spine-chilling monsters...

Excellent!! His back is turned, and he's unaware I'm here, so let's kill him. Wait, I see a chair...?

Oh no, the door slams shut behind you on this quest, and the room appears not too friendly!!

Go on a crusade!

Now decide which of the 13 quests to attempt - they're all different and listed in order of (more or less) their difficulty. Actually, there are 14 quests, the first is a trainer that offers a chance to learn the fundamentals of exploration and combat: the objective is simply to escape, and the quickest adventurer is rewarded with loot which can be used in the shop for the next mission. Use this to master the mechanics of HeroQuest.

Whatever quest you decide on, the gameplay is incredibly similar to the board game. Each player takes a turn by throwing dice to determine the number of action points - used to walk, perform searches, and fight the ghouls (for the Atari ST game, we spin coins, but it's the same difference). There are limitations to this method; searching for treasure (or hidden doors) can only be performed once during a player's turn. Lastly, the monsters are then moved by the evil Morcar for his turn - which is automatically controlled by your Atari ST.

Well, it's that time again when I break up the boring text with some screenshots. Enjoy these...

Haha, you can see me, but you can't reach me! Hmm, perhaps it's time for a little magic?

The map is an extremely useful tool and even identifies the monsters. Ugh! A Chaos Warrior?

Come on, a board game... Really?

Yes, and all quests take place in a different part of the castle - they feature many rooms and corridors laid out in a grid formation. Exploration is performed using the direction arrows (or clicking on the desired tile), and the map is a helpful tool that displays the parts of the castle you have visited, along with monsters and objects. It's also great when something doesn't feel quite right, perhaps there's a secret room? Don't forget to search for loot, but remember that this castle is riddled with traps and scary monsters, so tread carefully.

Expect the usual creatures prowling: Orcs, Skeletons, Zombies, Mummys, Fimirs, etc. All are controlled by the evil wizard hiding inside your 68000, and their actions are executed after the heroes have completed theirs. The computer isn't always offensive, and this can present an alternative strategy option. Also, if walking away from a battle is an option, then take it because it's not always necessary to fight each and every monster.

This is a cool board game and something I need to check out. But first, some more screenshots...

We're all playing a game, and the first one to blink gets zapped by a fireball!!

I knew it was too good to be true. Sometimes this game is very cruel O_o

Gimme icons!

The user interface is excellent and helps you to explore and interact (comparatively) with your surroundings. The current player has his image displayed top/left along with their attributes for action points, health, mental ability, and cash. The icons at the bottom of the screen might look confusing, but they're easy to learn:

1) The shield with an arrow allows you to end your turn.

2) The shield with a sword begins a fight against a chosen monster.

3) Bunch of keys - use these to unlock doors if you want!

4) The door with a question mark performs a search for what might be lurking nearby, like traps and hidden doorways. Works well with the map when things appear a little 'off'.

5) The opened bag is used to perform a search for treasure (kept by that particular player).

6) Satchel - this is the inventory and features the extra equipment a character can use.

7) Map - I'm sure this one is pretty obvious but is something you should use!

8) Directional arrows - use these to explore the castle (or click the tiles instead).

This is a fantastic quest and is quite the nervy rush getting Sir Ragnar back home safely.

Oh cr+p!! This is Ulag, the Orc Warlord, and yes, he did kill me...

Clash Of The Titans

Nobody enters Morcar's castle without expecting a fight with something unholy, and it's a bonus leaving any room unhurt, albeit in blood-splattered clothing! He has many gruesome creatures walking the corridors, so it's not long until something comes looking for you - all are controlled by Morcar. Ie, your lovely Atari ST.

A skirmish in HeroQuest isn't what I expected of an 'RPG'. Firstly, a battle can only happen against a foe on an adjacent tile, and that fight is presented on a separate screen. However, there isn't anything to do as the computer rolls special dice for attacking/defending characters - skulls (for attack) and shields (for defence). So, if the monster has more skulls than you have shields, then that difference is deducted from your health. Likewise, if you are attacking and happen to have more skulls than the monster has shields, you win.

This system might work for the board game, but it is odd. Especially as each player has a different amount of dice: Wizard = 1, Dwarf and Elf = 2, and Barbarian = 3. What is peculiar is when neither side rolls successfully, so they both stand idle, doing nothing more than staring at each other! Actually, that is quite annoying - it's a missed opportunity which could leave you somewhat vulnerable before the next turn.

Zombies never fail to impress, and they're also in Hero Quest if you scroll down a little...

An unsuspecting Zombie victim, but I've not got enough action points left...

No problem because his attack was fairly weak, so I came back stronger and killed him!

Clash Of The Mages!

Elves and Wizards have a different style to their combat, thanks to range attacks as magical spells. All magic can be used against any enemy currently within the same location, so you don't need to be close to attack an opponent. The ability to team/work should now start to prove its worth to all players?

Magic comes in a huge variety to attack or hinder the enemy in some way. You can even help or hinder one of your party if you so desire. Each type of spell is grouped into four categories: air, wind, fire, and earth, providing a separate style of magical ability. There is no in-game help, so it's best to experiment.

Along with spells to replenish health and harden defences/strength, there are many nifty alternatives:

1) Tempest blows a torrent of wind around your foe thus confusing them so they lose a turn. Perhaps this is something you might wish to use on a fellow team 'mate'? :-)

2) The Genie spell is actually quite incredible and can pack a humongous punch.

3) Ball Of Flame and Fire Of Wrath are two spells that provide powerful attack options. Both could potentially turn an Orc into a pile of dust very easily.

4) But what if you happen to wander into a room that's full of monsters? A good spell might be Courage which will help give you that much-needed adrenalin boost!

5) Pass Through Rock is incredible and an unmistakenly selfish, albeit cunning ability!

That's more like it!! Unfortunately, I'm in a room with a Chaos Warrior...

Sometimes, magical spells fall short of the mark, so run to the nearest Barbarian for help!

Help, I'm confused!

You shouldn't be. To succeed in HeroQuest you should take it slow - be a careful explorer who wants to survive and reap all the rewards. Remember to search a room thoroughly for anything that may help. Especially the hidden loot, which is spent on upgrading weapons and other stuff for the later quests.

The quests are all different, but the ultimate goal is to follow the instructions and complete what's required before safely escaping. Personally, I prefer to be the Barbarian as I'm more of a melee kinda guy. I do require the assistance of another teammate to increase my chances (they're collateral damage!)

Hero Quest isn't a difficult game to master and is a lot of fun, especially with family.

Spend your plundered booty on something useful for the next quest.

Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into! Try, try again...

Pix'appeal?

I love the isometric style as each room looks superb using a strong palette, which is nothing you would expect a wizard's lair to look like. But it works. The characters look amazing with incredible detail, and the Mummies are the best - but I also love the Skeletons with their scythe! Sadly, animations are fine, but they should have been better, especially for walking. Oh, the battles are nothing more than a sword slap in the face!

Bangin' Beats?

Well, the sound effects are basic; a fuzzy shuffle for walking plus a few chinks & clangs during a battle. It's a shame sampled sound effects aren't used throughout, seeing as the ST is mostly idle. Music can be played in-game and is absolutely awesome, I gotta say. However, there's not enough so it can become quite repetitive after a while, so I'm glad of the option to hit F10 to disable that in favour of just the sound effects.

From the very start, Hero Quest impresses with its aesthetics. Just watch this intro...

I love this intro, which tells the story of how Morcar became the evil wizard.

The CryptO'pinion?

Don't be mistaken and assume that this is an RPG; it isn't. Sure, there are elements for a lukewarm role-playing experience, but this is a turn-based board game. Each hero has strengths and weaknesses, but there is little character building beyond the equipment and collecting stuff. They are also separate from one another - there isn't an actual requirement to work as a team, so you cannot progressively group-attack a particular monster because each battle is a new and separate act. Remember, it's a board game.

And it's a brilliant board game conversion and is better with everyone huddled around the Atari ST like they did back in the day. Even solo, this is a fine adventure, especially if you play with a couple of characters. I suggest a few practice games to see which you prefer, but grouping them is certainly a recipe for success.

Considering I'm not a fan of board games, I am enjoying HeroQuest a bunch. What a wonderful game!!

The floppy discs can be downloaded from Atari Legend.
(and perfectly fine on either type of Atari ST/e)

Sabre Team

I always wanted to be Lewis Collins!

Sabre Team was released in 1992 by Krisalis and is a turn-based war zone of hardcore strategy. Yep, straight to the point there, and this is also a genre I know very little about. So, let's play. We are in control of an elite SAS squad who enter the lion's den to kill bad guys, rescue hostages, and save the day. This ain't a fake arcade action affair, but instead, tries to be realistic and thus requires stealth and tactical thought. So, a wrong move could end without assessing the situation fully, will get the team killed. And dead means dead; there are no second chances in this world.

Okay, the first job is to select a 4-man team from eight of the best warriors available. Equip these guys with the right weapons for each mission whilst taking into consideration type, rate of fire, ammo, weight, and noise. There is a lot of cool hardware to choose from, like machine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, stun grenades, and gas canisters.

This is next screenshot is of you! Choose your weaponry wisely and specifically for the mission at hand. Remember, some weapons need a reload after each shot. You're not superman, it's often advisable to wear a bulletproof jacket. I hear there are a limited number of medkits? But these will certainly help to recover from injuries.

This guy is ripped yet still manages to look a bit gay. Put on a shirt, mate!

Think covertly

There is a lot to consider, so put aside any ideas you may have had of arcade-style action. This isn't that game. Sabre Team demands careful, calculative and strategic thinking, so your assault should be executed with a stealthy approach that protects your men from danger. For example, don't stand near an open window! The terrain isn't just something nice to look at; use it for cover as the enemy won't know you're there if they cannot see (or hear) you.

The battlefield is viewed isometrically using detailed environments, and our soldiers are controlled through the use of action points. This means your men are allowed a specific number of moves before the computer gets a turn. The user interface is excellent and has helpful animations to identify their purpose (just hover the mouse over them).

These are used to turn, walk, shoot and do other fun stuff like searching dead bodies. The compass not only controls the soldier's direction but also displays the number of action points required for each particular task. Plus alerts for what a soldier might be able to see (red) or hear (blue). And this is exactly how you should play - as if you were there.

The next screenshot explains the general task of the mission. Read it carefully and don't be daft...

Always read the backstory and gather as much detail as you can. It will help.

No manual to read?

Sabre Team provides incredible insight into the strategy and tactics like few others. Running in guns blazing will only get you and your teammates killed. Also, this is perfectly suited to the turn-based genre as it works so well. However, waiting 3/4 minutes for the computer to decide what it wants to do is brutal, and I hated it. Yep, that long!

This is a tip for those without the manual - press and hold the mouse button to speed up the process. Odd, but it works. However, I feel this quicker method should have been the default - as I'd have preferred to hold the mouse button during the moments I wanted to watch more closely. Perhaps it's just me, but it took me a while to get used to this.

Right then, let's see another screenshot taken with my phone on my real Atari ST...

Sometimes I hate emulator screenshots and prefer using my real ST. Sometimes it's a bit naff!

Graphics & Sounds

We begin with a title screen depicting a sinister SAS soldier emerging out of the darkness, ready to assassinate terrorists. It's almost like a post-apocalyptic/Who Dares Wins and is so incredibly impressive. I think Phil Hackney did a superb job with all the in-game graphics - each environment features fine attention to detail for landscapes and scenery.

However, there is some rather dodgy artwork, which I'm sure you have noticed. Thankfully, the game is finely detailed with wonderful precision, and I adore how the environments take on a realistic scene without feeling cheap or tacky. For example, standing at a bad angle near an open window leaves you vulnerable to being picked off.

The sound effects are damn excellent, with samples used to complement the tension of tactical warfare. Their quality is great, and I'm excited to see they didn't wimp out by using samples for weaponry, cries, and other effects.

Hey, I need another screenshot from my Atari ST that shows how great I am at the game... He says...

Another shot from the ST, and here I am helping a poor civilian to safety.

The CryptO'pinion?

Ignoring my minor quibbles, never have I enjoyed a game that employs such a tremendous demand of tactics, stealth and strategy thinking. It's fantastic yet also instantly appealing with great depth. There is a large learning curve to master, so don't expect a cakewalk. I'm sure your initial attempts will end with many incredibly laughable casualties as you uncover the joy of what this realistic game has to offer. It's cruel and takes no prisoners, but very, very addictive.

Sabre Team demands lots of thought, patience and skilful wit to be successful. So, put aside time for nothing less than an innovative and invigorating experience. The attention to detail is massive and helps make this a very realistic yet enjoyable strategy affair. Spending your time, carefully and covertly eliminating nasty terrorists, is extremely satisfying.

What we have here is nothing short of a classic. Yes, I said that, and I loved every second of this amazing game.

8BitChip has a hard drive game, floppies at Old Games Finder.

Trusteft has a great video from unboxing to gameplay!