I always wanted to be Lewis Collins!
Sabre Team was released in 1992 by Krisalis by Richard Teather (I think this was his only AtariST game?). This is a turn-based war zone fuelled by hardcore strategy. Yep, straight to the point there, as this isn't an arcade runaround shooter, it's tactical turn-based. Still interested? Great! 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, and it could get the team killed. And dead means dead; there are no second chances in this world. It's brutal, so be warned.
The first job is to select a 4-man team from eight warriors. 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 hardware to choose from, like machine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, stun grenades, and gas canisters.
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.
The next screenshot is of you after your workout! Is it lifelike? Well, take a look...
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 had of an arcade shooter. 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 a 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, 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 with helpful animations to identify their purpose (just hover the mouse over them).
These icons are used to turn, walk, shoot and 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). Play as if you were there!
The next screenshot explains the mission's task. 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 tactical strategy like few others. Using your action points to run into a situation, guns-blazing will only get you and your teammates killed. Take your time, think about your moves - there's no rush as it's turn-based, so the computer will wait. However, when it’s the computer’s turn, you’re stuck waiting 3/4 minutes for it to decide the baddy's actions. This wait is particularly brutal, not only because of its length but also because you’re watching your team take hits due to your mistakes.
It's now that you need to read this tip:) Press and hold the mouse button to speed up the computer's process. It's like hitting fast forward on a tape deck (or a DVD player for the youngsters!)
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 at the title screen depicting a sinister SAS soldier emerging from the darkness, ready to assassinate terrorists. It's like a post-apocalyptic/Who Dares Wins, and is incredibly impressive. Phil Hackney did a superb job with the in-game graphics, as each environment has superb attention to detail for the landscapes and their scenery. I adore how all levels take on a realistic scene without feeling cheap or tacky.
The sound effects are excellent, with samples used to complement the tension of tactical warfare. Great quality, and I'm excited to see they didn't wimp out by using samples for weaponry, cries, and other effects.
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?
Never have I enjoyed a game that demands such a truly tremendous amount of tactics, stealth, and strategic thinking, all within a complex turn-based world. Take your time, plan your every move, and use those action points wisely, before anxiously watching the computer do exactly the same (it's very good!).
There is a learning curve, so don't expect a cakewalk. Initial attempts will end with laughable casualties as you uncover the joy of its realism. It’s cruel and takes no prisoners, but addictive. Sabre Team demands thought, patience, and wit to be successful. Covertly eliminating nasty terrorists is extremely satisfying.
Stop what you're doing. Don't miss this game. Play it right now!!
Trusteft has a great video from unboxing to gameplay!
