|
Star Trek is a
Science Fiction brand with a fanbase rivalled by few. Henceforth,
any Star Trek game has a decent chance of being a
strong-seller. This makes development of a
licensed game a highly sought-after objective by many software
houses for obvious reasons. Next to try their luck with the classic
brand are Bethesda Softworks, but, to the possible disappointment of
Star Trek fans, Star Trek: Tactical Assault is not a
huge open-ended RPG.
Taking place in the era of Captain Kirk, Star
Trek: Tactical Assault is a Tactical Starship Simulation,
possibly not everybody’s first choice for a PSP game. The game is
stated for release on both NintendoDS and PSP, and both share the
same storyline. The Star Trek: Tactical Assault takes place
over thirty Missions which are playable both as the Klingon Empire
and the United Federation Of Planets. The main game is stated to be
twenty-hours in length with Skirmish and Local Multi-Player Modes
extending the life of the title. The actual control of the ship is
similar to how it is portrayed in the series; a planned engagement.
Players can raise the Alert Level through Green to Yellow and
finally Red, each automatically charging systems suitable for that
level of engagement. The user can also use the ships auxiliary power
to Overcharge their weapons, engines and shields to adapt to the
situation at hand. Although the NintendoDS version places itself as
a hardcore tactical experience, the PSP version favours a slightly
more Arcade style suited more to the D-Pad set-up of the PlayStation
Portable. Star Trek: Tactical Assault for the PSP is
controlled through a combination of the Face Buttons and L and R
Triggers. Controls are unfortunately quite complex
and are not something the average PSP gamer is likely to warm to.
Although players are in control of when the guns fire, they are
already aimed automatically. This gives Star Trek: Tactical
Assault a slow, tactics-based style. Battles feel automated and
a lack of player engagement makes Star Trek: Tactical Assault
a game that doesn’t seem ideal for the PSP.
Star Trek: Tactical Assault
for the PSP features some fairly well drawn Ship Models and
Real-Time Lighting; however, it seems unlikely that this will
restore that much playability to the title. While the NintendoDS
version shows some promise, albeit hardly a huge amount, the PSP
version seems doomed to be inferior despite its technological
advantage. |
| Return to the Articles Archive
2006 here.
Each of these articles has been written
either independently of Electronic Theatre or by an external viewer. The opinions
discussed in these articles in no way reflects the opinions of Electronic Theatre.
If you wish to inquire about pricing of any titles
for these formats not listed on this site, drop me a line at kjoyce@electronictheatre.co.uk |
