Warhammer 40K: Squad Command (PSP)

Squad Command does what it says on the box - you take command of a squad of six Space Marine units in a battle against the Chaos Armies. Perfect for portable playing, the turns run quickly and the games are short. Pair this with a simple intuitive control scheme and you're onto a winning combination that helps the turn based action flow smoothly.

The gameplay is closer to the table-top Warhammer than its real-time counterparts, with measured movement and combat based on Attack Points. You have to use your AP wisely, losing even one of your six units can leave you feeling like the odds are against you. Sadly the squad is predetermined for every map, although you can edit the weapons each unit carries. But with a steady stream of unlockable new units, you'll be taking control of Terminators, Tanks and Dreadnauts before the game is through.

The maps themselves are okay, until you realise that they don't come in many flavours. In fact there seem to be only three, but two of those looked so similar I wasn't sure if they were actually the same. On a plus, virtually every single piece of scenery is destructible, meaning you have to think carefully about using cover and also consider destroying exploding barrels that the AI might have foolishly placed its own units behind. The fixed isometric camera can be a problem though. Occasionally you're put in a position where you can't see a gap in the scenery or a window and the enemy will take advantage and blast you to pieces for your error.

Intercut with great looking cinematic sequences that help blend the turn-based slog into some semblance of a story, you'll be in for a tactical challenge that is unmatched on the PSP.

Released on 23rd November 2007 by THQ.

Written by Nick Gripton.