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I still remember how I came about Laser Squad. I had joined one of those special introduction pack mail order companies. You know the one; join now for only 10 and receive five free games, or something. Anyway the condition was that you had to buy at least one game per month for the year.

I remember not bothering one month and a package came from them including an odd-looking game called Laser Squad. I quickly discovered that this was the Editor's Choice for that month and that, as I hadn't chosen a game, it was sent out for me. Of course I went ballistic, sending this game out to me and billing me for the pleasure. For some reason I gave the game a shot and have never looked back. Of course I had noticed the AA review, as well as others, but I figured a strategy turn-based game wasn't my bag. How wrong could I be?!

The game is a science fiction tactical wargame that is played in a series of game turns. Each player takes turns to control their individual units: which represent humans, droids or aliens. Each turn units are given a limited number of action points, which can be used for performing functions such as moving, equipping weapons, firing, opening doors/locks, etc. Once all action points are used, the 'End Turn' option can be selected and the computer (or human player two) takes over for their turn. The eventual winner of a mission is the first side to reach 100 victory points.

The main menu is fairly self explanatory. There are five missions to choose from: Assassins, Moonbase Assault, Mine Rescue, Cyber Hordes and Paradise Valley, each with varying difficulty levels. You are then taken to the squad equipping screen. For each mission you are allocated a number of credits to spend on armour, weapons and ammunition. The first thing you do is select armour for each unit. Armour type ranges from '0' (no armour) to '4' the best and most expensive armour. Strategic element comes into play straight away here as the better armour inevitably weighs done your units, decreasing the action points available.

After you have allocated armour to each unit, it's then time to choose your weapons. Each weapon, be it a gun, pistol or dagger, has its own individual cost, weight and statistics, so choosing weapons must suit the mission required.

All weapons are fully loaded with ammunition, but extra ammunition clips are available. Once your happy with the equipment selection then it's time to start deploying your units ready for mission one: Assassins...

Assassins requires your squad to infiltrate and assassinate Sterner Regnix: the rogue boss of the Marsec Corporation - the best weapon manufacturer in the galaxy. Deployment of your units is carried out by selecting on the appropriate squares just outside Sterner Regnix's hideout.

The joystick and button are used to move squad members: by selecting a unit and moving him into position. The on-screen display is divided into the playing area and to the right the menu commands. Virtually every command you make is done via these menus. Moving a unit will cost Action Points, depending on the terrain that is being moved over.

A unique feature of the game is the realistic 'hidden movement' system which means that the enemy will not appear on the map unless they have moved into the 'field of vision' of one of your units. The 'field of vision' covers the 45 degrees from the front of the unit. Various types of terrain such as walls or doors can block this line of sight though. You will not see an enemy unit until it is clearly in view.

Another strategic element that is essential to winning the missions is 'Opportunity fire'. If you leave a unit with at least half its Action Point allowance at the end of their turn then they will be eligible for opportunity fire.

This 'Opportunity fire' is triggered when an opposing unit enters the 'field of vision'. You can then take the chance to fire at the enemy with your remaining APs. Once you select 'END FIRE' then your opponent continues with their turn.

Other missions include destroying lab equipment, rescuing POWs from mine prisons, defending a rebel base against a never ending droid army, and retrieving and escaping an alien planet with the blueprints for a rebel starfighter. Cyber Hordes arguably remains the toughest of the lot, challenging even the hardened strategy buff.

An Expansion Kit was made available through Target Games in 1990, with two extra missions: The Stardrive and Laser Platoon. Both missions boasted improved graphics and gameplay. Needles to say, I quickly sent away for my copy. Over a decade later, I was still playing the odd mission of Laser Squad, struggling to get the dusty old CPC down from my spacious attic and firing up the, then, unreliable tape deck into action. It goes without saying that I eventually got a CPC emulator and disk images to play on my PC. Great times and a great game.

Julian Gollop is a notable game developer of strategy games. His most memorable work to date is the X-COM series and, of course, Laser Squad. Gollop's career spans over 20 years. He has designed games for numerous systems from the Spectrum, CPC, C64, Amiga, Atari ST and right up to today's powerful PCs.

Relevant games history:

1. Nebula (1984)
2. Rebelstar Raiders (1984)
3. Chaos (1985)
4. Rebelstar (1986)
5. Rebelstar II (1988)
6. Laser Squad (1988)
7. Lords of Chaos (1990)
8. UFO: Enemy Unknown/X-COM (1994)
9. X-COM: Apocalypse (1997)
10. Magic And Mayhem (1998)
11. Laser Squad Nemesis (2002)

Complete scenario one.

Graphics 76%
Small graphics, but adequate.

Sound 52%
Just the odd sound effects.

Grab Factor 79%
No hype, no fancy graphics, only the deep gameplay.

Staying Power 97%
Will keep the strategy buff in you going for ages.

Overall 92%
"Best CPC game ever" is such a bold statement, but it's certainly one of the best CPC games ever.