here is no story, folks, or at least not much of one. Nor does that really matter. What matters is that Laser Squad Nemesis is a turn-based man-to-man (or woman) tactical combat simulator. Gamers may control one of four races as they square off against each other in an effort to control the battlefield and slay the other person's combatants.
Published by Codo Technologies (the same folks who did the work on the original X-Com: UFO Defense), Laser Squad Nemesis is a play-by-email game. One gamer chooses the map, game type and size of the opposing forces and sends a game request to the Laser Squad Nemesis server. The server matches the gamer with another who is looking to play, and the two are off to battle in a 3/4 overhead isometric view. Once the fray is joined, each gamer plots the moves of his soldiers and clicks send. When both sides' moves are plotted, the game plays the turn in real time.
There are four distinct races in the game: Marines, Machina, Spawn and Greys. The Marines are the typical power-armored guys made famous by Heinlein's Starship Troopers. The Machina are a robotic race, the Spawn are swarming creatures, and the Greys look like the beings from Close Encounters or the original X-Com, depending on your background. Laser Squad Nemesis is currently a multiplayer-only game, but a single-player version may be marked in the United States soon.
A turn-based gamer's dream
What's not to like about Laser Squad Nemesis? The game looks great. Sure, it doesn't have cutting-edge 3-D technology, but it doesn't need it. The races, from creepy Spawn to powerful Marines, are well drawn and animated, and the environments—mainly industrial sites, with a few natural terrain environments—are reminiscent of the original X-Com, but much crisper.
And strategy? This is darn close to a turn-based gamer's dream. The four races are deliciously different. The Spawn use their strength in numbers to overwhelm the opposition. The Greys are assisted by shield technology, the Machina have powerful missile-throwing vehicles, and the Marines have a well-balanced force that mixes speed and power. This species differentiation leads to a plethora of strategies, and those strategies coupled with the challenge of playing a human opponent make for a game that is easy to learn but delightfully tough to tame.
The game's interface is smooth, fast and intuitive. Left-click to move, right-click to fire, tap a button to wait or change firing modes. Click another button for a preview of your orders. After you're done, another mouse tap sends your turn off to your opponent. Turns are viewed using VCR-type controls, and it's a real hoot. It's great to watch the bad guys advance, unknowing, into your well-laid ambush, or not so great to see the enemy pop up where you least expect him.
This is a gem of a game. Simple, quick, yet challenging, it's the perfect thing to pass a few moments. Turn-based gamers will love it; those new to the genre may become converts.
Super game. What's even better is news of an upcoming single-player version in the States.
— Mark
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