The Laser Squad title may be short, but its impact is mighty. Released in 1988 for the Commodore 64, Amiga and contemporary platforms, it is a seminal turn‑based strategy title that paved the way. Designed by Julian Gollop and his team at Target Games, Laser Squad zeroed in on mechanics that started in Rebelstar, proving that deep, thoughtful strategy could be a hit even in 8‑bit hardware. Laser Squad’s minimalist graphics are misleading about a game that is rich in action‑point management, squadron relationships, morale, and strategy gear selection.
Gameplay Depth: Precision Under Pressure
At its best, Laser Squad challenges players to lead tiny groups of sci-fi troops in diverse mission scenarios: assassinations, rescue jobs, base infiltrations, et cetera. Every unit has limited action points in order to move, turn, shoot, open doors, or grab gear—and every choice is crucial. Over-equipment results in troops getting tired more quickly; neglecting to worry about morale and a soldier witnessing his man go down might panic and become unavailable.
Key gameplay innovations:
- Action Points & Inventory: Movement, aiming, shooting, and reloading all eat into a unit’s energy. Each weapon, armor piece, and grenade affects mobility and fatigue .
- Morale System: Witnessing death can break even the most stalwart trooper, introducing risk and unpredictability.
- Tactical Maps: Overhead, grid‑based levels with cover, obstacles, and line‑of‑sight matter deeply. Even a simple door could hide deadly danger.
Even on the limited hardware of the C64, Laser Squad delivers crisp information. Units are distinguishable, terrain is clear, and menus are responsive, making the strategic depth feel immersive rather than burdensome.
Missions That Demand Strategy
Laser Squad originally shipped with five carefully designed missions:
- The Assassins – Eliminate weapons manufacturer Regnix while infiltrating through patrolled droid lines.
- Moonbase Assault – Breach airlocks, dismantle systems in an Omni Corp moon facility.
- Rescue from the Mines – Free imprisoned comrades in Metallix Corp mines and escape.
- The Cyber Hordes – Defend a base’s stabilizer cores against waves of droids.
- Paradise Valley – Retrieve blueprints and flee a collapsing colony.
Each mission shifts pace and tactics—from stealth and careful resource management to frantic combat and objective-based retreats. Replayability soared with varied squad builds, equipment load outs, and difficulty settings.
Expansion Kit Two: New Scenarios, New Mayhem
Released after the core game, Expansion Kit Two added two high-difficulty missions:
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The Stardrive: A high-tech infiltration mission where players retrieve a prototype stardrive hidden deep inside a heavily defended facility.
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Laser Platoon: A squad-on-squad battlefield with both sides starting evenly matched—an all-out war scenario, ideal for multiplayer.
These missions were available on C64 via mail-order or bundled in later compilations. They increased the game’s lifespan and introduced tougher AI strategies and larger maps.
Two-Player Mode: Friends Turned Foes
While Laser Squad was primarily single-player, it included a hot seat two-player mode on the C64. One player would control the squad; the other took command of the enemy forces.
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Turn-based switch: After completing your turn, you’d hand over the joystick.
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Strategy duel: No AI guesswork—your opponent thinks like a human, making every move unpredictable.
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Popular maps: “The Assassins” and “Laser Platoon” became multiplayer favorites, offering balanced layouts and room for ambushes.
This mode made Laser Squad a cult classic at retro LAN parties and living room wars—decades before online PvP was even a dream.
C64 Reception & Retrospective Praise
Laser Squad garnered high scores across review platforms:
- Ferrying over from ZX Spectrum acclaim, the C64 release scored 92% in CU Amiga‑64 and 83% in Zzap!64.
- Commodore Force later ranked it #2 among top C64 games ever.
- Decades later, Retro Gamer readers still placed it in the top 100 classics.
On Lemon64 forums, fans light up:
“This is the greatest tactical game ever created… the C64 is the best version of all the platforms this was ported to!”
“Scenario after scenario—this game teaches you to think, adapt, and strategize.”
(lemon64.com)
This consistent praise reveals that Laser Squad isn’t just historically important—it remains a high‑water mark for turn‑based tactics even today.
From Laser Squad to X‑COM: A Direct Line
Perhaps Laser Squad’s greatest legacy is its DNA living on in the X‑COM series. Gollop reused core systems—action points, cover, morale—in UFO: Enemy Unknown, initially conceived as Laser Squad II.
The tight tactical loop, inventory tradeoffs, and unit tension present in X‑COM can trace their roots directly to Laser Squad. Many recurring names and settings—even the weapon manufacturer Marsec—carry through the Gollop universe.
The influence extends beyond X‑COM. Games like Jagged Alliance and Silent Storm adopted its squad‑based, point‑based ethos. Laser Squad wasn’t just a product of its time—it shaped the future.
Why Laser Squad Still Matters for Retro Fans
In a landscape dominated by fast reflex games, Laser Squad stood out for rewarding thoughtfulness. Even with 8‑bit graphics, it feels timeless due to:
- Strategic clarity: UI and maps presented information clearly—no guesswork, just decisions.
- Emotional weight: Losing a unit stings—and that matters more than pixel flair.
- Replay value: With diverse missions, gear, and AI unpredictability, no two runs feel the same.
- Community fondness: Fans still share stories of late‑night campaigns and epic two‑player matches.
It’s more than nostalgia. It’s a design masterclass in turning small squads into gripping, strategic experiences.
Tactical Genius in 8 Bits
It’s astonishing how much Laser Squad packs into little hardware. Julian Gollop and Target Games had found a balance between accessibility and tactical depth—and convinced you to care about every unit. Every turn of the door, every turn, every load out for the squads all mattered.
Modern games rely on filmic panache, but Laser Squad demonstrates that brains, tension, and true decisions can provide deeper gratification. It’s a classic that still educates strategy, and a venerable forerunner to much that came after.
