Rebelstar: Tactical Command GBA

[neotokeo2001]

Rebelstar: Tactical Command

 

 

Rebelstar is a version of X-Com UFO Defense for the Gameboy Advance. It is a great Turn-Based Strategy game. A word of warning, The game is tough and shows no mercy so expect to die and replay levels alot.

 

*******IMPORTANT BUG REPORT********

 

Fraylar egg level:

 

In the mission where you are sent to destroy the Fraylar Eggs, DO NOT use the flame thrower or fire grenades. There is a bug that will not let you successfully win the level if you use fire, You will lose every time. Instead you can shoot the small eggs and use regular grenades on the large eggs. If you run out of grenades you can pick up the sword that the Fraylar Commander is carrying and use that on the eggs.

 

 

I must have played that level at least 10 times before I figured that out. It may not be a bug but there is no mention in the game or in the manual about not using fire so it must be a bug. Anyone else get stuck in this level?

 

 

Go out and buy Rebelstar($19.99) and Sigma Star Saga($29.99) now!!!!!

[neotokeo2001]

Here is another X-Com type game for the PC called Laser Squad Nemesis by the same people. Looks like they like the 2 alien box art.

 

Edited September 21, 2005 by neotokeo2001

[classicgamingguy]

It's available? WOW!

 

Wasn't sure how much they ramped up the difficulty...

 

Seems like UFO defense from the good old days of PC gaming..heh, I love that game, and it's sequel..

 

-Steve

[MosDN]

Rebelstar is a version of X-Com UFO Defense ...

 

The original Rebelstar is a lot older than UFO.

The author Jullian Gollop made the first version, rebelstar raiders, in 1984 on the sinclair spectrum.

[classicgamingguy]

And here I thought Xcom: UFO Defense was the first..guess you don't know everything (not that I presume I do).

 

How difficult is this game? I know how frustrating I got when all my shots would miss the little grey creeps lurking around. Seems they never miss...but I still loved this game and would like to take it on the go.

 

Is the premise the same as in Xcom? Upgrading, better weapons, capturing aliens, etc.?

 

-Steve

[neotokeo2001]

You're hit percentage is based on the distance,type of shot and character level. But you will still see all of your shots miss sometimes. But, I was sure I was toast a few times only to have the bad guy miss all of his shots.

 

It plays like a toned-downed version of X-Com. You really don't have to worry about the different heights of a shot. So far all of the battles have been on a level playing field. The radar and tracking sections are gone as this version is mission based with cinemas connecting the missions. After a few levels you get to start selecting your squad as well as equiping them.

 

If you like X-Com or turn-based games then you will like this one.

[sega saturn x]

I picked it up and you're right it is hard. My only complaint far is the production qualitys seem very low. The stills of the charcters look lousy epesically the scientist. And the music can become very anoying very fast. The graphcis are also pretty hum drum, maybe i have just been spoiled by fire emblem and advanced wars. But i just exspected a game coming this late in the gba life span to look better than games that came out 3 years ago? Other than that the game is solid for 20$.

[Mayhem]

If you read the diaries over at Gamespot, you find the game is actually pushing the GBA to the limit regarding the graphics engine and the use of sprites, tile maps and destructable scenery (yes almost all the walls and stuff can be blown up!).

 

I think part of the story was shoehorned near the end to provide a series of links to the missions, hence the slightly lower quality of graphics there. At least Corporal Jonlon is back

 

In RTC here, the accuracy of the weapon being used is also dependent on the skill level you have for it, which is sort of new. So if you have good skill (2 or more) in rifle weapons, you should really carry a sniper gun, or assault rifle for example, not a chain gun! Medic skill is a must also, so when you can, get 2-3 members of your team with it.

 

I'm loving it so far but then I love all the other games he's done

 

Opportunity Fire (or Oversight as it's called here) has been improved as well.

 

RTC isn't THAT hard but you do need to think logically, strategically and know when to be bold and when to be cautious. But then again, that's why the word "Tactical" is in the title

 

Certainly not had much problem so far, apart from said bug in the Hive to come which I'll note (I'm just about to start that mission!).

[Malc74]

At least Corporal Jonlon is back

 

 

Aah, but is there a guest appearance from Captain Krenon?

 

I'm loving it so far but then I love all the other games he's done

 

 

Me too. Julian Gollop has a very enviable back catalogue of fantastic strategy games. I'm just annoyed that I haven't had much free time to make progress in Rebelstar : Tactical Command, but I've enjoyed the levels I've played so far.

 

The plot and cutscenes definitely leave a lot to be desired though...

Edited September 22, 2005 by Malc74

[classicgamingguy]

Okay, I have this game in my hot little hands now, and am working through the training missions. So far I'm really enjoying it, from the cute graphics to the intense action of turn-based play. Since Xcom was played to death on my PC, this game will be the same for on the go gaming. I actually enjoy how bright this title is with the colors.

 

Side note: Why do I hate Gamestop? Let me count the ways....

 

I went down there last night to trade in a copy of Nintendogs, which I paid $35.00 for. I figured I'd at least get 20 bucks for it. The guy tells me I only managed to get 13 bucks for it.....now I know it's a used title, but 13 bucks?? Am I just being stupid here? Someone clue me in on WHY I initially pay 35 bucks and get screwed on the turn around.

 

Steve

[Flojomojo]

I went down there last night to trade in a copy of Nintendogs, which I paid $35.00 for. I figured I'd at least get 20 bucks for it. The guy tells me I only managed to get 13 bucks for it.....now I know it's a used title, but 13 bucks?? Am I just being stupid here? Someone clue me in on WHY I initially pay 35 bucks and get screwed on the turn around.

936302[/snapback]

Yes, you're being stupid here. Only a sucker, a little kid, or someone with no access to the internet would return something almost brand new for store credit at a place like Gamestop. According to their recent financial reports, Gamestop and EBGames make about half of their profit reselling used games. This wouldn't be the case if they paid top dollar for them. Note that they don't take returns on open items anymore, either.

 

Next time, Ebay it or just keep it and play it longer. Put the extra money into your pocket, and put the game directly into the hands of a fellow enthusiast. It takes a little longer, but there's no need to feed the game retail sharks. Of if you're in a hurry and don't care about the finacial loss, suck it up and trade with them -- but if you do this, IMHO you lose the right to bitch about it in public. You didn't need to take the deal.

 

"I hate gamestop! They only offered me $13 for Nintendogs!"

"Then why did you sell it to them?"

[Mayhem]

It's the way the system works unfortunately. In direct contrast to the stores making money on the second hand sales, there is the fact they make very little per unit on new titles. Why? Because they are sold them at almost sale price by the publishers. If a new title is $50 on the shelf, you can guarentee the shop has paid at least $44 to have it there. And why is this done? Because the publishers want everyone to buy a new title so they get more money. They don't want people to buy second hand or used copies as they've already seen the money from it.

 

And so the ying and yang of games retail goes on...

[classicgamingguy]

I went down there last night to trade in a copy of Nintendogs, which I paid $35.00 for. I figured I'd at least get 20 bucks for it. The guy tells me I only managed to get 13 bucks for it.....now I know it's a used title, but 13 bucks?? Am I just being stupid here? Someone clue me in on WHY I initially pay 35 bucks and get screwed on the turn around.

936302[/snapback]

Yes, you're being stupid here. Only a sucker, a little kid, or someone with no access to the internet would return something almost brand new for store credit at a place like Gamestop. According to their recent financial reports, Gamestop and EBGames make about half of their profit reselling used games. This wouldn't be the case if they paid top dollar for them. Note that they don't take returns on open items anymore, either.

 

Next time, Ebay it or just keep it and play it longer. Put the extra money into your pocket, and put the game directly into the hands of a fellow enthusiast. It takes a little longer, but there's no need to feed the game retail sharks. Of if you're in a hurry and don't care about the finacial loss, suck it up and trade with them -- but if you do this, IMHO you lose the right to bitch about it in public. You didn't need to take the deal.

 

"I hate gamestop! They only offered me $13 for Nintendogs!"

"Then why did you sell it to them?"

936342[/snapback]

 

Okay, a little context time for all you folks that decided to harshly whip me for making a trade to Gamestop.

 

First of all, I had no idea how the trade in idea worked, what percentage they retained, and how much of a profit they make by turn-arounds on new games.

 

My quote on Gamestop being "hated" by me: Off the hip on that one, gut reaction. My apologies. I DO NOT hate Gamestop. I was frustrated that day with the trade, not understanding how it worked.

 

Hmm, being a sucker, a little kid, or someone without access to the internet..not, none of these. Well, perhaps a bit of a sucker. But as I stated above, I didn't understand how it worked. I assumed that older titles and such you get less money for, not newer titles.

 

I do care about financial loss. I was attempting to obtain another game, figuring the trade would give me plenty of credit for the game I wanted. I was wrong. And yes, if I do it again I have no right to "bitch" about it. However, it won't happen again.

 

Forgive me, but I don't read every freakin' article on the internet. I usually ask you guys and gals here about things, since most of you do this sort of thing all the time and have more knowledge. What I DO NOT appreciate is lack of constructive critism. It would have been a little nicer not to get my neck snapped. Thank you very much.

 

-Steve

[Flojomojo]

But you had a chance to take or leave the offer at the counter, right? It's not as though you agreed to trade it in before you knew what they'd offer.

 

Chalk it up as a learning experience, I guess.

[sega saturn x]

I played a little more of rebel star and i think I'm starting to see the beauty in this title. The effect of each move planning as you move ahead, it’s strategic in the fly by the seat of your pants kind of way.

 

And i think I'm starting to really enjoy it.

[neotokeo2001]

I am really far into the game now and it takes a big step up in difficulty when you start fighting the Arelians(Greys). I won't give anything away but you really have to start thinking when you reach them. The earlier levels were cake.

 

Just be sure to start using the in-battle save more. You can always restart the mission if you have to.

[neotokeo2001]

I finally beat the game. I really enjoyed playing but the end kind of jumps up and smacks you in the face. It is disappointing to start getting into a game and then suddenly it is over. Hopefully there will be a quick turn-around on a sequel. I guess thats what happens when you have a budget release.

 

Come on guys!! Give me the second half of my game!

[Gabriel]

I got this too. I'll add my voice to the chorus. It's a great game, and that's from someone who doesn't really like X-Com.

[Malc74]

Gah! Why don't I read people's posts properly? I, of course, am referring to the Fraylay egg level where I decided to take out a bunch of eggs with a fire grenade (doh!) and then kept wondering why the level wouldn't end!

Anyway, I can at least back up the fact that it seems to be a bug.

 

I'm now well into the Arelian levels and have a bunch of saucers chasing me at the moment. Definitely a rather difficult game, but a hell of a lot of fun.

[classicgamingguy]

But you had a chance to take or leave the offer at the counter, right? It's not as though you agreed to trade it in before you knew what they'd offer.

 

Chalk it up as a learning experience, I guess. 

936965[/snapback]

 

Actually, the way the trade worked was I retrieved a game from a display shelf then did the "trade" at the same time. That was dumb on my part, as I should have asked how much the game was worth. Well, as was said, live and learn and try not to repeat the same thing twice.

 

Steve