Game: Star Hammer Tactics
Developer: Black Lab Games Production
Platform: iOS (Not yet released)
Price: Free

We all love a good RTS, taking hours out of our day to strategize and launch an attack on the enemy. To be then told to get off my arse and do something with myself. Well I say NO! Let me play my game!

This past week I’ve been playing Star Hammer Tactics which is a Black Lab Games production. Put simply its a turn by turn strategy game originally released for the Xbox Live Indie Games and PSN Minis.

This is a fast-paced strategy game where you control a fleet of ships trying to survive the attack of the Nautilids trying to attack the planet Novus. The iPad version is a recode of the original game but with HD graphics, a redesigned interface for touchscreen control. its commendable 15 levels incorporate various types of ship with various movement and attack capabilities.

I’ll set the scene. You have recently been promoted to command a Naval Strike Group, NSG-14. Your start your new career with a simple assignment. Destroy a small fleet of ‘Krill’ with a Corvette and a Fighter. Now I have completed all but one level and it is very engrossing but for the purpose of this review I will show you the first couple of levels and run you through the UI and gameplay features.

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One thing I will say before I start, the graphics look intense. Not only are there HD background graphics as you can see in the adjacent images. But the attention to detail on asteroids and the ships is great. Definitely an A+ from me in regards to graphics.

When you first start your mission, you are presented with several hints to steadily get you into the gameplay. The UI itself is quite simple, your ships are on a grid; this grid can be navigated by hand (obviously, iPad duh). As you select each ship, you will see its movement range changes depending on the ship. Small fighters such as the F-36 ‘Hinter’ have a large movement range, where as ships such as the CSX-3 ‘Dragon’ have a low movement range and slow speed. Information on the ships are provided within the app.

As you take your turn, you’ll find that each ship has various actions which can be taken, one being ‘Missle’ which I soon found out shouldnt be used on its own (yes, I died).

Now I’m a recent owner of an iPad, I’ve used them for business before but never personally, so one thing I didn’t expect was 3D graphics! I know right! 3D. I moved my ship into place for combat and the perspective of the view changes, giving you a close up view of your fight, along with a hit by hit combat log for you to peruse.

As I finish off my review I’ve had the game for about 2 weeks, in that two weeks I’ve completed the game and rather enjoyed it. Black Lab Games did a great job with this title, it’s UI and graphic content is top-notch and if you’re looking for an easy to learn space themes tactical game then I would definitely recommend this

Game website: http://www.starhammer.com/

 Star Hammer Tactics to collide with the App Store on November 24

Acclaimed PSN^(R) Minis Space Strategy Sim Completely Revamped for iPad^(R) and Free to Install

Perth, Australia, 8 November 2011 – Black Lab Games have confirmed that a completely revamped and reconstructed version of their acclaimed PlayStation^(R) Network title Star Hammer Tactics will be released for the iPad on November 24, 2011.

Star Hammer Tactics for iPad will be free to install with four campaign missions and small skirmish battles available to play, free of charge. The remainingg 11 ccampaign missions and expanded skirmish mode options can be unlocked via a single in-app purchase of US$2.99.

Players take on the role of Lieutenant Fredan Dyce in a fight for survival against the mysterious alien Nautilid invaders. With control of a fleet of space ships, players must maneuver their forces to engage with the enemy and save their home planet, Novus.

The game brings a different approach to the turn-based genre with battles that are all about maneuvering your forces to engage in close combat and prioritizing each ship’s power between offense and defense. A limited supply of powerful, ranged missiles adds further strategic complexity to the mix.

“The touch controls and larger screen size make the iPad the perfect platform for Star Hammer Tactics” said Black Lab Game’s Paul Turbett. “I’m particularly excited to be making the game free to play so that everyone can enter the Star Hammer universe and take the fleet for a spin.”