Laser Squad (1988)
Genres:Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Themes:Science fiction
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Laser Squad is a turn-based tactics war game where the player completes objectives such as rescue or retrieval operations, or simply eliminating all of the enemy by taking advantage of cover, squad level military tactics, and careful use of weaponry. The squad's team members are maneuvering around a map one at a time, taking actions such as move, turn, shoot, pick up and so on that use up the unit's action points. More heavily laden units may tire more easily, and may have to rest to avoid running out of action points more quickly in subsequent turns. Morale also plays a factor; a unit witnessing the deaths of his teammates can panic and run out of the player's control.
Including the expansion pack, there are seven scenarios in total, each one with its own difficulty settings and squad allocation
Laser Squad originally came with five mission scenarios, with an expansion pack released for the 8-bit versions, containing a further two scenarios. Reaction from gaming magazines was positive, gaining it high review rating and several accolades. The legacy of the game can be seen in other titles like the X-COM series, especially the acclaimed UFO: Enemy Unknown which was also created by Julian Gollop and was initially conceived as a sequel to Laser SquadShow more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.169
The missing link between X-Com and Warhammer 40K. Yes, you heard that right. Those two IPs share blood in the development sense.
You see, back in the day, before X-Com, before Warhammer 40K, there was a tabletop skirmish game called Laserburn.
Laserburn contained a lot of things you might recognise - beyond just the rules for futuristic combat, it also had an Imperium, power armour, bolters, lasguns, dreadnoughts, etc.
Now, Laserburn directly contributed to two important things:
Its creator went on to become one of the founders of Games Workshop, where its general concepts would be re-implemented into the game Rogue Trader.
At around the same time, Laserburn was adapted into a video game: Laser Squad, by Julian Gollop.
Laser Squad was a hit, and its gameplay and lore elements would go on to be refined and enhanced by Gollop and his team into its own effective sequel, UFO: Enemy Unknown, also known as X-Com: UFO Defense in North America, the first game in the much-loved X-Com (now XCOM) series. Rogue Trader, meanwhile, would be updated and re-released as a second edition, from that point on taking the title Warhammer 40,000, which would go on to have multiple updated versions and spin off many games in both the tabletop and video game domains.
So now you know! With this all said, it's probably not surprising there's at least one big 40K mod for OpenXCom.
(Final note: It's annoying that the display format for these stories removes all paragraphs. GOG, Pls fix)
I had on my Atari Ste. Me and my cousin were playing this little gem fanatically.
Only 6 missions but with plenty replay ability.
While my Atari is still working, the disc is broken...
Laser Squad sparked my love for this genre. I spent countless hours on my Atari ST, captivated by its deep tactical gameplay and the thrill of fully destructible environments. One of my most memorable missions involved taking down a target by leveling their entire building with rockets—an experience that felt ahead of its time in terms of emergent strategy and player freedom.
A GOG release would be a perfect fit, preserving this classic for modern audiences while ensuring compatibility with today’s systems. Laser Squad laid the groundwork for games like X-COM, and its blend of squad-based tactics, destructible terrain, and gripping missions deserves to be rediscovered by strategy fans. With GOG's commitment to DRM-free preservation, this gem could find new life among both nostalgic players and newcomers eager to experience a foundational title in tactical gaming.
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