Space may be the final frontier, but it fits in the palm of your hand.
Rockville-based publisher Bethesda Softworks recently released “Star Trek: Tactical Assault,” a space battle simulator based on the original “Star Trek” series, for the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.
The title centers on the careers and decisions of two captains, Starfleet’s Renolds and the Klingon Empire’s Kadir. Each has a part to play in preserving a fragile peace treaty amid Romulan treachery on both sides.
The game has a pretty generic plot, as far as the “Star Trek” universe goes: Klingons misguidedly fight for honor, the Federation tries to keep peace on all sides but eventually blows something up, and the Romulans are just jerks.
What makes the game exciting are the different ways each mission can be run. You can run in, phasers blaring, and take out all your opponents, oryou can try a more diplomatic approach, hailing and scanning targets and trying to figure out the best course of action.
The combat system is where you spend all your time in the game. In true “Trek” fashion, you have phaser banks (or disruptors in the Kingon storyline), photon torpedo bays and a shield array that protects your starship.
In two-dimensional battlefields, you maneuver your ships around and try to drop your enemies’ shields by doing enough hull damage that you blow them into debris.
A lot of detail went into this game, from the dramatic changes in music when you go to Red Alert to the sparks and broken-off warp nacelles when your ship takes too much damage.
Adding another level of authenticity to the series are the touch-screen displays. They switch between the Federation and Klingon missions and look like the control in the “Star Trek” shows and films.
All tribbles aside, one of the biggest problems with this title is the fact you never know when you’re about to slam into an asteroid or space station. With the overall lack of maneuverability and limited field of vision, when you blindly come upon one of these celestial bodies, you’ll scrape against it and either explode or drain your shields before you have a chance to correct your course.
For the “Star Trek” fan, this game makes for a great quick diversion. Its short missions, while repetitive, really draw you into the battles, and the plots play out like the real thing.
‘Star Trek: Tactical Assault’
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Rated: Everyone
Price: $39.99 (PSP), $34.99 (Nintendo DS)
