Turn Based Squad Games…Where did you g (0 action points remaining)

Back in the day, I loved a good turn based squad tactical game.

On my BBC model B, my favourite game, (after Elite of course) was called “Paras” or something, a basic but entertaining hex based squad game. This was followed by a few others, until X-Com arrived with a bang, and was followed up by sequels of ever increasing complexity, and ever diminishing fun. Why was X-Com the peak? It was a loooong time ago. Even now, the return of X-Com being mooted is as an FPS?! Have they not noticed we aren’t exactly suffering from a lack of shooters?

The only thing turn based at the moment is JRPGs it seems, which are a hellish 1 button clickathon, of grinding time sink intensity, and something which has never really appealed to me. My recent search turned up laser squad Nemesis, by the author of X-Com no less, but even that was very dated, with limited options. Why can’t we have a fantastically modelled, physics enabled, great sounding and looking turn based squad shooter (be it soldiers, space marines, or mechs!) for the 21st century? Am I just living in the past? Am I the only person who enjoys these games?
There are a bunch of RTS games out there that would be good, but are so hurried due to their real time nature, I can’t relax and actually enjoy watching and playing them. For example the Warhammer Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes titles both looked very interesting, but the hectic real time nature of them turned me off. I want to enjoy seeing my little men run about shooting stuff, not fracture my wrist desperately lassoing troops and whipping all over a tiny map.
I like something I can take my time over and enjoy, at my own pace, not whatever the designer has decided is correct.

Perhaps the resurrection of smaller simpler games, being created for and played on smart phones and devices like the iPad will bring about such a second coming? I for one hope so.

My dad has bought an iPad and we had a great time joining the legions of Angry Bird fans out there. Simple, crisp graphics, a clear task in hand (literally with an iPads touch screen) and fantastic sound design, which had us both laughing our heads off. Boy, those birds really are angry. We also tried Flight Control HD which was a relaxing and new experience, which although it got hectic as the planes started to swarm, really showed how the touch screen interface defines the game. After all, you are simply drawing paths live on the screen. Often with two hands at the same time.

Such interface creativity will be the key to the success of devices like the iPad and indeed Kinect. As creators grasp what is possible with a new array of options, an audience is waiting for them. And as my dad has proved, it might be an audience they have NEVER interacted with before.

I’m excited to see what develops, and in honour of turn based squad games, I have 2 squad members keeping the iPad and Kinect on overwatch.