Rebelstar: Tactical Command

Nintendo exclusive

You can play as the leader of a revolt in the turn-based strategy game Rebelstar: Tactical Command. The Arelian Empire seized control of Earth 70 years ago and has since become an oppressive regime, controlling the world with fear and marauding shock troops. You can fight back by equipping a team of rebels and controlling them in battle. Rebelstar: Tactical Command includes campaign, skirmish, multiplayer hotseat, and multiplayer link mode.

Released: 6 September 2005
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Genres: Role-playing Science Strategy Tactical Tactical role-playing Turn-based strategy Turn-based tactics
Developers: Codo Technologies
Publishers: Namco
Series: Rebelstar
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Science fiction
Country: United Kingdom
Age ratings: ESRB E10+
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain)

About

Rebelstar: Tactical Command is a turn-based tactics video game developed by Codo Technologies and published by Namco Hometek for the Game Boy Advance in 2005. It is the fourth game in the Rebelstar series. The game was created by Julian Gollop, who previously designed UFO: Enemy Unknown, Laser Squad and the original Rebelstar games.

›Story

In the year 2117, a race of aliens known as the Arelians have enslaved the human population of Earth using their henchmen, the savage Zorn. They insert implants into infants' brains at birth, to be able to track them. As soon as someone turns 30, the aliens take the person away and nothing is known about their subsequent fate.

The main character, Jorel, after losing both his parents to the alien invaders, decides to flee south to Mexico to join the rebel forces and fight the alien invaders. Thanks to his strong psionic resistance, his brain rejected the implant and he brings new hope to the desperate human race looking for a leader.

Keywords

aliens
alien invasion
tactical turn-based combat
squad
turn-based rpg
tactical rpg

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Unlike in UFO: Enemy Unknown, but similar to the original Rebelstar games, there is no base building, resource management or research. During combat, the player controls a squad of single-character units and must accomplish various goals. Units have a certain number of action points, which are renewed at the beginning of every turn. Each action, from turning to walking to shooting consumes action points. Therefore, they are only allowed to perform a certain number of actions per turn.

The player may also pick up and use weapons from dead enemies and allies. As ammunition is limited, it is sometimes necessary to loot a corpse in order to keep fighting. As units specialize in different areas, it is important to adopt a strategy that will fully utilize the strength of each of the many weapons used. It is also possible for a character to act as a medic, using a medikit to heal comrades.

Story

Reception

Rebelstar: Tactical Command was well received, having an average score of 77.83% at GameRankings. It received positive reviews from GameSpot (7.8/10), GameSpy (4/5) and IGN (7.7/10). The game was praised for adapting the combat mechanics of the highly detailed and acclaimed PC strategy series but also received criticism for sub-par presentation, a lacklustre storyline, and lack of link-mode support. Gamefan gave a positive retro review, and cited the plot and the gameplay as its highlights.