Laser Squad
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founder | Julian Gollop |
| Products | Laser Squad, Rebelstar series |
Laser Squad is a turn-based tactics title launched between 1988 and 1992 on various systems such as ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Amiga, Atari ST, and PC. Created by Julian Gollop and his team at Target Games (which later evolved into Mythos Games and Codo Technologies), and published by Blade Software, the game built upon gameplay ideas introduced in their earlier Rebelstar series. The initial release featured five mission scenarios, while an expansion pack added two further missions for the 8-bit editions.
The game was met with critical praise and served as an inspiration for subsequent titles including the X-COM franchise, especially UFO: Enemy Unknown, which was also developed by Gollop and originally conceived as a sequel to Laser Squad.
Gameplay
As a tactical combat simulator, Laser Squad tasks players with completing objectives such as rescuing hostages or eliminating adversaries by utilizing cover, coordinated squad maneuvers, and strategic weapon deployment. Each squad member is controlled individually on a grid-based map, with action points allocated to movements, rotations, attacks, or item interactions. Units burdened with heavier gear experience faster fatigue and may require rest periods to sustain combat efficiency. Morale plays a significant role; witnessing the death of comrades can induce panic, resulting in loss of control over affected units.
The original Target Games release for 8-bit platforms included three missions, supplemented by a mail-order expansion pack that added two additional scenarios. Similarly, Blade Software’s 8-bit version incorporated these five missions and offered a further two via mail-order expansion. These add-ons also introduced new weaponry integrated into gameplay.
Altogether, seven distinct scenarios are available, each featuring unique difficulty levels and squad configurations:
- The Assassins – Infiltrate the factory of arms producer Sterner Regnix while confronting droid patrols.
- Moonbase Assault – Breach the Omni Corporation’s lunar base through airlocks to sabotage vital computer systems.
- Rescue from the Mines – Liberate three captives from Metallix Corp mines following a failed operation.
- The Cyber Hordes – Protect seven stabilizer cores within a station from waves of droid attackers.
- Paradise Valley – Escape from a devastated colony carrying advanced starfighter blueprints stored on a portable security device.
- The Stardrive – Recover a stardrive controller from mercenary forces’ concealed stronghold.
- Laser Platoon – A free-for-all deathmatch involving large squads with frequent reinforcements competing evenly.
Reception
The original ZX Spectrum edition earned near-perfect scores from Computer and Video Games, which awarded it 97% alongside a 'C+VG HIT!' accolade, describing it as "one of the hottest games I've ever played." Other Spectrum reviews included an 89% rating from Sinclair User and 9/10 from Your Sinclair, which lauded it as "a sophisticated strategy wargame...on par with Elite." It placed 16th in Your Sinclair's Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time.
On the Commodore 64 platform, it received a 'CU Screen Star' honor with a 92% score from CU Amiga-64, while Zzap!64 gave it an 83%, noting its innovative approach to close-quarters combat. In 1993, Commodore Force ranked it second among the top 100 Commodore 64 titles. The Amstrad CPC version achieved a 91% rating and 'AA Mastergame' status from Amstrad Action, with its Expansion Pack 2 receiving an even higher score of 93%.
The Amiga adaptation also attracted favorable reviews: Amiga Format awarded it a 'Gold Award' along with a 93% score, praising it as "a terrific game that is superbly playable." Scores of 88% and 87% were given by Zero and CU Amiga-64, respectively. Additionally, it was ranked as the 25th best Amiga title by Amiga Power in 1991.
In 2004, readers of Retro Gamer voted Laser Squad as the 63rd greatest classic game.
Legacy
Both Rebelstar and Laser Squad stand among the pioneering examples of turn-based tactical wargames at the unit level. In 1990, Mythos Games released Lords of Chaos, a fantasy-themed successor to Gollop's ZX Spectrum title Chaos: The Battle of Wizards, sharing gameplay similarities with Laser Squad. The franchise was revived in 2002 by Gollop’s Codo Technologies through the play-by-email game Laser Squad Nemesis, which diverges from the original's turn-based action point mechanics and excludes customizable weapons.
Several gameplay elements from Laser Squad were later incorporated into the renowned X-COM series, also developed by Gollop and Mythos Games but published by MicroProse. The inaugural X-COM installment, UFO: Enemy Unknown, began its development cycle under the working title Laser Squad II. Recurring character names such as Corporal Jonlan and references to arms manufacturer Marsec create continuity between Mythos’ and Codo’s titles within the Laser Squad and Rebelstar universes. Furthermore, the cover artwork for Firaxis Games and 2K Games’ remake of X-COM: UFO Defense pays tribute to the original Laser Squad.