I couldn't find out much about it online, but after seeing it on offer in town today I picked up a copy of Tactical Assault.
First impressions from the box artwork were "mobile Starfleet Command" and on playing it, it does indeed seem to be a reduced version of SFC for the DS. But, the game is much more stable and surprisingly the ships are of better detail and quality even on the small screens than the full SFC managed. The game opens with a typical cutscene movie but with a brand new voice over created especially for the game by William Shatner.
The game has two main campaigns, Federation (leading up to the Khitomer Accords) and a Klingon one set prior to TNG. The Klingon one has to be unlocked by completing the Federation one so I don't know much else at this point.
The Federation campaign is simply enough, a progression of simple(ish) missions set around a crew created for the game, each with their own quirks and assigned systems in game that they are "in charge" of. As the game goes on you can teach them skills, but in three areas if need be, so you have the ability to really customise your crew as you see fit over the course of the game.
Gameplay on the DS is optional, you can use the stylus or buttons at any point, whatever is most convenient. The controls are simple, and the ships move much faster than SFC and the weapon reloads are significantly faster, the Photons nearly always hit. There are only three control "sections", all on the touchscreen looking, sounding and acting very much like an actual TMP era LCARS panel which is cool in itself.
All easy to use and well rendered, meaning the game can be played quickly and easily. Missions only take a few minutes with the action taking place in the top screen, in game "hails" give them their storyline and consist of contacting starbases, installations and the odd planet, as well as other ships encountered. Unlike SFC the ships can go to Warp similar to Bridge Commander to jump to different systems, or more than likely based on Starfleet Academy as are the "choose response" option on hails.
More like SFC is the upgrade system for the crew and ships, which can only be unlocked by completing missions. There is also a Skirmish mode for quick battles and a "Starship Library" to view the classes of ship.
So its definitely surpassed by original expectations, and worth picking up if you have either a DS or PSP.
First impressions from the box artwork were "mobile Starfleet Command" and on playing it, it does indeed seem to be a reduced version of SFC for the DS. But, the game is much more stable and surprisingly the ships are of better detail and quality even on the small screens than the full SFC managed. The game opens with a typical cutscene movie but with a brand new voice over created especially for the game by William Shatner.
The game has two main campaigns, Federation (leading up to the Khitomer Accords) and a Klingon one set prior to TNG. The Klingon one has to be unlocked by completing the Federation one so I don't know much else at this point.
The Federation campaign is simply enough, a progression of simple(ish) missions set around a crew created for the game, each with their own quirks and assigned systems in game that they are "in charge" of. As the game goes on you can teach them skills, but in three areas if need be, so you have the ability to really customise your crew as you see fit over the course of the game.
Gameplay on the DS is optional, you can use the stylus or buttons at any point, whatever is most convenient. The controls are simple, and the ships move much faster than SFC and the weapon reloads are significantly faster, the Photons nearly always hit. There are only three control "sections", all on the touchscreen looking, sounding and acting very much like an actual TMP era LCARS panel which is cool in itself.
All easy to use and well rendered, meaning the game can be played quickly and easily. Missions only take a few minutes with the action taking place in the top screen, in game "hails" give them their storyline and consist of contacting starbases, installations and the odd planet, as well as other ships encountered. Unlike SFC the ships can go to Warp similar to Bridge Commander to jump to different systems, or more than likely based on Starfleet Academy as are the "choose response" option on hails.
More like SFC is the upgrade system for the crew and ships, which can only be unlocked by completing missions. There is also a Skirmish mode for quick battles and a "Starship Library" to view the classes of ship.
So its definitely surpassed by original expectations, and worth picking up if you have either a DS or PSP.
but you'll soon remember which shade denotes ones in your plane of play.
