Star Trek: Tactical Assault (NDS/PSP) Preview

[RainOfTerror]

Star Trek: Tactical Assault features real-time spaceship combat from the universe of the original Star Trek series. With a wide array of authentic Star Trek races, ships, and weaponry, you can engage in single-player battle through either the Federation or Klingon campaigns or in head-to-head wireless multiplayer combat. Not to be outdone by its big brother, the handhelds are also getting some Star Trek luvin', here is a snip :

While the DS and PSP versions share campaign scenarios, an obvious point of departure is the control setup. The DS has the advantage here, giving you touch-screen control of shields, weapons, navigation and alert status while the action happens on the top screen. At first, it feels slightly odd to fire photon torpedoes and phasers by tapping the stylus, especially if you're accustomed to doing most of your shooting with one right trigger or another. Soon enough, though, it begins to feel just about right, especially when you consider that that's how combat happens in the Star Trek universe, by executing a fire order order by poking a plastic screen. Of course, the PSP relies on the face and directional buttons, losing a bit of that authentic Trek feel that the DS is uniquely suited to deliver.Check the full Star Trek: Tactical Assault preview (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=34183) over at WorthPlaying.

[Reanimated]

I've been interested in this for the DS ever since the initial announcement. Looks like another one of those titles that is just perfectly suited to the system.

As for PSP, I don't even know why they bothered.

[torrefaction]

I suspect we'll be hearing the words "uniquely suited" a lot regarding Nintendo.

[Reanimated]

Just a byproduct of innovation, I guess. :)

[Kamalot]

I am very much looking forward to this. Here's to hoping it does not suck, but rocks. :D

[DangerousDaze]

Funny how you didn't choose this quote for the front page:The touch-screen gives the DS version of Tactical Assault a slight true-to-Trek edge, but the PSP has a distinct graphical advantage. It's brighter, certainly, but to be fair to the DS version, I was playing on an original DS, not a Lite with a brighter screen. Hoseley said his team has been able to push the PSP hardware to get more sophisticated effects like starlight glinting off the hulls of starships. It shows in the comparative clarity on the PSP, especially when the two versions are playable side-by-side. The PSP's wide screen doesn't hurt, either.
You shouldn't really talk about swings without at least pointing out the roundabouts.

DD

/edit - typo

[Reanimated]

gameplay >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> graphics.

[Savok]

Hmm, glinty hulls or superior gameplay... I just don't know

[r3dwiz]

I kinda wish they took another step and allowed for voice recognition (on either version...) "Shields up!" or a "Fire..." a la Kirk would be nice.

[ghostgirl]

I kinda wish they took another step and allowed for voice recognition (on either version...) "Shields up!" or a "Fire..." a la Kirk would be nice.

I dunno, I think I'd get tired of impersonating him for that long. ;D

I'll definitely pick up the DS version, since the gameplay sounds more interesting.

[Ajguy]

Well, voice activation could always work like in Pheonix Wright. Just make it completely optional. I hope this is better than Bridge Commander was. That game had great potential, but was ultimately flawed.

[Reanimated]

Oooooh, the voice activation thing would be cool.

But haven't you heard? Hull glint is the new 'in' gameplay mechanic for Spring.

[EvilBob46]

Funny how you didn't choose this quote for the front page:
You shouldn't really talk about swings without at least pointing out the roundabouts.


Uh, when a product is in development for both the DS and PSP, it is always understood the PSP version is going to look better. 90% of people are aware of the fact that the PSP is the handheld to get for graphics whores. This is no longer worth pointing out for every single multiplatform game. And most people would argue that some additional special effects are significantly less important than some more interesting additional gameplay features.

[Steve_Erhardt]

I'm torn... the control scheme on the DS is an obvious no-brainer. but the screen on the PSP is just SO much cooler/bigger (nevermind the graphics angle, I'm just talking sheer clarity and size here).

Gonna have to think this over before I go one way or the other.

[Geburah]

I couldn't open the pictures in a bigger window, but this looks suspiciously like the Starfleet Command games except tuned for a handheld. Not that that is a bad thing, but the article seemed to give the impression that the concept has never been seen and well executed before. This version is more simplistic, but since the SFC games were a simplified version of the mind numbingly complex and "fully featured" Star Fleet Battles board game reducing some of the chaff may help. I mean honestly, launching armed shuttles as dog fighters? Teleporting mines into space? Using the tractor beam to both offensively grapple the target and defensively grapple photon torpedos? It gets a bit overwhelming... I think the last SFC game (3?) was set in TNG era and reduced at least some of that stuff.

[Kamalot]

I'm torn... the control scheme on the DS is an obvious no-brainer. but the screen on the PSP is just SO much cooler/bigger (nevermind the graphics angle, I'm just talking sheer clarity and size here).

Gonna have to think this over before I go one way or the other.
play it on the DS Lite. The DS Lite screen is brighter and crisper than the PSP's. It also does not 'ghost' like the PSP's does.

I'll give up shiny ships for touch-screen controls any day of the week.