Star Trek: Tactical Assault

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Star Trek: Tactical Assault
Publisher:	Bethesda Softworks
Developer:	Quicksilver Software
Released:	27 October 2006 (Nintendo DS) 14 November 2006 (PlayStation Portable)
Stardate:	7420.7-7564.2 & 23018.6-23137.1 (23rd & 24th centuries)
Platform(s):
Rating(s):
Genre(s):	Strategy
Reference #:	ASIN B000G75ALQ (US NDS) ASIN B000GI7LNU (US PSP) ASIN B000K83WU2 (UK NDS) ASIN B000K86C5Y (UK PSP) ASIN B000JJ4H7E (Germany NDS) ASIN B000K7UDTG (Germany PSP)

Star Trek: Tactical Assault is a strategy video game for Nintendo DS and PSP, in a similar vein as the Starfleet Command series of games – the two games have the same developer. The game has two single-player campaign modes: Federation and Klingon, as well as skirmish and multi-player modes.

The game was awarded Best DS Strategy Game of E3 2006 by IGN. [1]

Gameplay

The player controls a starship, and has command of navigation, shields and weapons systems. During gameplay, the player must utilize their skills in all three to defeat enemies.

Emergency power is available for certain special functions, such as cloaking devices, overcharging weapons, and emergency turns. This energy is depleted by such functions, and regenerates at a slow rate.

Campaigns and missions

Each campaign comprises a number of separate missions. In each mission, the player starts and ends their mission at their command base. Completion of all mission objectives is not always required to succeed – some non-critical objectives may change storyline evolution, depending on whether they are achieved, or even attempted. Indeed, the storyline may mean that some initial objectives cannot be met – such as protecting a vital asset whose loss is integral to the storyline.

Successful missions will earn crew upgrade points, which can be used to improve ship capabilities, such as damage control and maneuverability. In addition, completing certain mission will unlock new ships to use in skirmish and multiplayer modes. Completing campaigns will unlock all missions for selection. It is possible to select which ship to play as during campaign in a similar manner to skirmish by pressing "up, down, left, right, select, start, B." This will not affect gameplay beyond the strength of your ship (your allies won't attack you and your enemies still will). A problem with this is in the level counterstrike only the light cruiser will have cloak and any other ship with cloak will be unable to disable the base's shields.

Federation campaign

The Federation campaign begins on stardate 7420.7 – just after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture – and consists of fifteen missions.

Mission 1 – Shakedown

• Stardate 7428.6
• Vessel: USS Essex, Frigate

Tutorial level, introducing the game's controls, as well as navigation and combat basics. In addition, the player will briefly encounter John Daine, a friend and Academy classmate.

Mission 2 – Hostilities

• Stardate 7436.9
• Vessel: USS Essex, Frigate

Departing for a routine patrol of the Klingon neutral zone, the player receives a distress call from the industrial planet Kantare, which is apparently under attack from raiders. Capt. Reynolds may choose to engage the raiders directly, or attempt to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation.

Mission 3 – Border Patrol

• Stardate 7442.8
• Vessel: USS Essex, Frigate

Finally beginning their patrol mission, the player encounters a Klingon ship attacking a Federation freighter, the Miriam, and must choose the best course of action to follow. Regardless of the outcome or lies, the Klingon ship will engage Capt. Reynolds and his crew after he lies about the Miriam.

Mission 4 – Ambassador Escort

• Stardate 7449.3
• Vessel: USS Essex, Frigate

The player must escort Vulcan Ambassador Sorlin to a Federation outpost from negotiations with the Klingons, but an unidentified vessel has other ideas...

Mission 5 – Cloaked

• Stardate 7457.2
• Vessel: USS Amundsen, Destroyer

The player must track down the Romulan ship responsible for the destruction of Ambassador Sorlin's vessel, and return to Federation space. Following the Romulan's retreat you must choose between avenging the ambassador or assisting another ship against Orion pirates.

Mission 6 – Shore Leave

• Stardate 7463.1
• Vessel: USS Amundsen, Destroyer

After delivering supplies to a colony ship, the player must help in the defense of nearby outposts as the Klingons launch a full-scale attack on the sector. Depending on the amount of damage the player has taken, they can choose to participate in a counter-attack or return to Starbase 12.

Completing this mission unlocks the Romulan Destroyer for use in Skirmish and Multiplayer modes.

Mission 7 – Shore Up Defenses

• Stardate 7475.4
• Vessel: USS Amundsen, Destroyer

The player must help defend Outpost P-3 in the wake of the surprise attack, as further Klingon squadrons launch an assault. Outnumbered, the player can ask for assistance from John Daine, commanding the USS Trafalgar. After eliminating the enemy, the player must engage a Light Cruiser with assistance from Daine.

Mission 8 – Behind Enemy Lines

• Stardate 7487.5
• Vessel: USS Polaris, Light Cruiser

The player must assist in the recovery of the USS Repulse – a light cruiser caught behind enemy lines and heavily damaged – defending it from Klingon attack in the Amar system.

Mission 9 – Klingon Raiders

• Stardate 7498.7
• Vessel: USS Polaris, Light Cruiser

A continuing series of raids against Federation targets have been traced back to their origin. The player, assisted by the heavy cruiser USS Achilles, must put a stop to these raids.

Mission 10 – Counterstrike

• Stardate 7507.2
• Vessel: USS Polaris, Light Cruiser

Equipped with the Romulan cloaking device – much like the Klingons, captured by the USS Enterprise in 2268, the player uses a cloaking device to destroy a Klingon starbase, after avoiding being detected, while also assuming responsibility for a Light Cruiser and Destroyer assigned to assist you.

Mission 11 – Sherman's Planet

• Stardate 7519.6
• Vessel: USS Polaris, Light Cruiser

The USS Enterprise is under attack at Sherman's Planet. After repelling a Klingon attack on Outpost P-3, the player must help eliminate the Klingon forces around the planet and allow the recovery of Captain Kirk, stranded on the planet's surface. At the same time, the player must ensure the USS Trafalgar – John Daine's vessel – survives.

Mission 12 – Recovery

• Stardate 7531.8
• Vessel: USS Jefferson, Heavy Cruiser

With a ceasefire in effect, the player is tasked to rescue vessels in distress in the combat zone, and investigate the debris of both ships: Federation / Klingons, but they encounter an unknown vessel, the Romulan Heavy Cruiser. This mission requires the player to choose between the safety of his crew and helping other vessels.

Mission 13 – Peace Treaty

• Stardate 7539.1
• Vessel: USS Jefferson, Heavy Cruiser

Peace negotiations are going forward, and the player must help escort Klingon ambassador Karf to Starbase 2. John Daine will accompany the player in his new command, the USS Martel, a dreadnought.

Mission 14 – Rogue

• Stardate 7552.9
• Vessel: USS Jefferson, Heavy Cruiser

John Daine is revealed to have been in collusion with Romulan forces to sabotage the ongoing peace efforts. The player must track Daine and the Martel down and stop them, by force if necessary.

Mission 15 – In Defense of Peace

• Stardate 7564.2
• Vessel: USS Jefferson, Heavy Cruiser

With the location of the peace talks known, the player must act as bait in a trap to draw out the Romulan forces and eliminate them.

Completing this mission unlocks the USS Excelsior for use in Skirmish and Multiplayer modes, as well as allowing all Federation missions to be selected from the Campaign menu, and unlocking the Klingon campaign.

Klingon campaign

The Klingon campaign begins on stardate 23018.6, at the time of the Khitomer Massacre of 2346, and consists of sixteen missions.

Mission 1 – Proving Ground

• Stardate 23018.6
• Vessel: IKS Karfon, Bird-of-Prey

Training level, focusing on more advanced combat techniques, including a live-fire exercise against a fellow Command School graduate to the death, It is possible to accept his surrender after inflicting enough damage, but this will earn you a lower score.

Mission 2 – Sneak Attack

• Stardate 23024.3
• Vessel: IKS Karfon, Bird-of-Prey

During routine patrol duty, the player receives a distress call from the Khitomer outpost, under attack by Romulan ships, and must assist in eliminating enemy forces, tracking them to the Neutral Zone, before docking at the planet's orbital station.

Mission 3 – The Hub

• Stardate 23029.5
• Vessel: IKS Karfon, Bird-of-Prey

The player is ordered to destroy a Romulan communications array – a vital target that must be eliminated in order for a counterattack to proceed, after requesting Commander Korok to assist in destroying two vessels.

Completing this mission unlocks the Romulan dreadnought for use in Skirmish and Multiplayer modes.

Mission 4 – Assault

• Stardate 23036.8
• Vessel: IKS Kalen, Destroyer

The player must attack and destroy six Romulan ships under repair at a nearby starbase. The vessels are without power, but must be destroyed quickly before their crews can bring them to operational status. The base itself is not to be destroyed. But it doesn't matter if it is.

Mission 5 – Under Cover

• Stardate 23042.9
• Vessel: Dominus, Romulan Destroyer

With a captured Romulan ship provided by the Federation, the player must penetrate the Romulan front line and gather intelligence on fleet strength and deployment. This poses a challenge when a Klingon squadron is encountered engaging a group of Romulan ships. Although Kadir's response to his subordinate's idea of destroying the shipyard would indicate otherwise, it does not lower your score. You will however be required to destroy two pursuers with assistance from the Klingon squadron at the beginning. (It doesn't matter if you destroy them.)

Mission 6 – Assassination

• Stardate 23051.4
• Vessel: IKS Kalen, Destroyer

While en route to the Romulan Neutral Zone, Captain Kadir and his crew are ordered to hunt down the Romulan Emperor to keep him from reaching Romulus. Commander Kell and his crew join them in this effort.

Mission 7 – Invaders

• Stardate 23058.2
• Vessel: IKS Hekra, Light Cruiser

Responding to a distress call from a mining colony, the Hekra encounters three unexpected ships, Gorn light cruisers. The IKS Ba'Nath arrives to share the noble victory and stand for honor.

Mission 8 – Supply Lines

• Stardate 23067.1
• Vessel: IKS Hekra, Light Cruiser

The crew of the IKS Hekra are ordered to raid a Romulan convoy and destroy as many Romulan freighters as possible; however it is a trap.

Mission 9 – Outpost Defense

• Stardate 23073.1
• Vessel: IKS Hekra, Light Cruiser

The crew of IKS Hekra are ordered to patrol the Klingon border, and then meet up with the Ba'Nath.

Mission 10 – Pursuit

• Stardate 23077.6
• Vessel: IKS Hekra, Light Cruiser

Capt. Kadir and his crew of IKS Hekra are ordered to retrieve a Gorn prisoner by the chancellor of the Empire himself.

Mission 11 – Rebellion

• Stardate 23085.2
• Vessel: IKS Hekra, Light Cruiser

Kadir and his crew are set off to Otron, and meet up with the USS Olsen, then hunt down rogue Klingon vessels.

Mission 12 – Hidden from View

• Stardate 23092.4
• Vessel: IKS Va'tal, Heavy Cruiser

Capt. Kadir and his crew, now aboard the IKS Va'tal are ordered to the Klentek Sector to listen in on Romulan transmissions; they then head to the Neutral Zone. They then encounter a vessel belonging to the House of Duras, the Porthis, conspiring with the Romulans, and must then destroy them both.

Mission 13 – Joining Forces

• Stardate 23106.3
• Vessel: IKS Va'tal, Heavy Cruiser

The crew of the IKS Va'tal are ordered to meet up with Commander Korok (IKS Klath) to wipe out a fleet of ships belonging to the House of Duras.

Mission 14 – Diplomatic Failure

• Stardate 23114.9
• Vessel: IKS Va'tal, Heavy Cruiser

Capt. Kadir and the rest of IKS Va'tal crew are ordered to a nebula to meet up with Chancellor Vagh. They then discover that the Orions have been working with the Gorn to stir up trouble in Klingon space.

Mission 15 – Return to Kronos

• Stardate 23128.5
• Vessel: IKS Va'tal, Heavy Cruiser

Commander Tirak takes over the Duras forces after their leader, Ja'rod, has been defeated by Mogh and his troops at Khitomer. Kadir, Vor'th, and Chancellor Vagh make way towards Kronos to wipe out the Duras forces, but the Duras forces attempt to destroy the chancellor's vessel, so Kadir and Vor'th must defend the chancellor. Kadir and his crew must then stop Commander Tirak at the Vor'ka Sector, while Vor'th escorts the chancellor back to Kronos for the last stand of the Duras forces.

Mission 16 – Final Battle

• Stardate 23137.1
• Vessel: IKS Va'tal, Heavy Cruiser

Capt. Kadir, Commander Korok, General Vor'th, Chancellor Vagh, and all the Klingon forces must engage the Romulans, defeat General Talkir, then eliminate the phantom Hi-Dhai-bah once and for all, to avenge those lost on Khitomer and bring peace and justice to the Empire.

Skirmish and Multiplayer modes

Skirmish

Skirmish mode allows the player to engage in combat with computer-controlled opponents. All unlocked vessels can be played, and varying difficulty levels are available, allowing the player to choose the type(s) of vessels they may engage. The level of complexity of the combat zone may also be selected, as well as the amount of upgrades all involved parties have, which will increase or decrease the amount of time a match lasts.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer mode works similarly to Skirmish mode, but two Human players engage in combat. Both players are required to have a copy of the game in order to use Multiplayer mode. Two other gametypes are available besides Skirmish: Battlefest, in which each player will start as a frigate and proceed towards dreadnought with each death, and Battlefest Lite, which is the same as Battlefest but starting a destroyer going to Heavy Cruiser.

Starships

The game provides a database of all unlocked vessels, including basic information on their capabilities, such as weaponry, shield strength, and speed. All data are in-game statistics. Interestingly, in the Nintendo version the Romulan, Gorn, and Orion ships all have the same control setup in the lower screen.

Federation/Starfleet

Federation starships

Frigate

• Somewhat resembles the Catchon-class XI Interceptor

Primary Weapons: Type 1 Phasers (three banks, fore-port-starboard)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 17.3

Destroyer

• Strongly resembles the Belknap-class Strike Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Phasers (three banks, fore-port-starboard)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 16.4

Light Cruiser

• Miranda-class

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Phasers (four banks, fore(2)-aft(2))

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double fore

Max Speed: 14.6

Heavy Cruiser

• Constitution-class Refit Configuration

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Phasers (three banks, fore-port-starboard)

Secondary Weapons: Mark III Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double

Max Speed: 14.0

Dreadnought

• Strongly resembles the Adamant-class Dreadnought

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Phasers (eight banks, fore(4)-aft(4))

Secondary Weapons: Mark III Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Triple

Max Speed: 13.0

USS Excelsior

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Phasers (three banks, fore-port-starboard)

Secondary Weapons: Mark IV Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double

Max Speed: 16.4

Klingon Empire

Klingon starships

Frigate

• Klingon Bird-of-Prey

Oddly, while the ship database refers to this ship as a Klingon frigate, it is referred to in-game as "Klingon Bird-of-Prey".

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Disruptors (two banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 20.0

Destroyer

• Strongly resembles a Vor'cha-class starship.

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Disruptors (two banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 17.8

Light Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Disruptors (four banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double fore

Max Speed: 16.9

Heavy Cruiser

• K't'inga-class

Primary Weapons: Type 4 Disruptors (four banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double fore

Max Speed: 15.3

Dreadnaught

Strongly resembles the Klingon L-24

Primary Weapons: Type 4 Disruptors (four banks, fore(2)-port-starboard)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Triple fore, Double aft

Max Speed: 14.6

Romulan Star-Empire

Romulan starships

Frigate

Primary Weapons: Type 1 Disruptors (two banks, fore-aft)

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Plasma (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 22.0

Destroyer

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Disruptors (three banks, fore(2)-aft)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Plasma (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 19.6

Light Cruiser

• Strongly resembles the 22nd century T'liss light warbird.

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Disruptors (three banks, fore(2)-aft)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Plasma (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Double aft

Max Speed: 18.6

Heavy Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Disruptors (four banks, fore(2)-aft(2))

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Plasma (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double aft

Max Speed: 17.0

Dreadnaught

Primary Weapons: Type 3 Disruptors (four banks, fore(2)-aft(2))

Secondary Weapons: Mark III Plasma (two launchers, fore-aft)

Shields: Double fore, Triple aft

Max Speed: 16.7

Orion and Gorn starships

Orion and Gorn starships

Orion Destroyer

Primary Weapons: Type 1 Phasers (two banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 18.3

Orion Heavy Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Phasers (two banks, fore)

Secondary Weapons: Mark II Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Triple direct fore, Double rest

Max Speed: 15.8

Gorn Light Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Phasers (four banks, fore(2)-aft(2))

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Single

Max Speed: 16.8

Gorn Heavy Cruiser

Primary Weapons: Type 2 Phasers (four banks, fore(2)-aft(2))

Secondary Weapons: Mark I Photons (one launcher, fore)

Shields: Double

Max Speed: 15.0

Background information

Gameplay and controls are nearly identical in each version, since the control interfaces on both are similar. Each version contains the same content but has its own merits:

• The DS version allows players to issue commands, scan, and engage the warp drive all from the systems touch screen.
• The PSP version possesses superior graphics as well as a CD-quality soundtrack, as opposed to the DS versions MIDI-quality soundtrack.

Gallery

DS version opening screen

PSP cover art

Credits

Quicksilver Software

• Executive Producer: William C. Fisher
• Senior Producer: Cory Nelson
• Lead Programmer: Otmar Schlunk
• Programmers: Michael Szal, Vincent Tagle, Nick Olsen, Gregory Marsters, Dennis Volper, Red Urbino, Steve Roney, and Justin Chu
• Art Director: Rantz A. Hoseley
• Artists: Daniel Taylor, Scott Godfrey, David Ham, David Budlong (Intern), and Justin Declues (Intern)
• Level Implementation: David Mazzocco and Brian Roney
• Character Icons: Mike May, Jason Kruse, and Frank Peak
• Special Thanks: David Paris and Perry Bullard

Bethesda Softworks

• Executive Producer: Todd Vaughn
• Producer: Charles Harribey
• Assistant Producer: Tim Bumar
• Quality Assurance Manager: Robert Gray
• Quality Assurance – Team Lead: Will Noble
• Quality Assurance Testers: Ben Barreras, Brian Bloomfield, Michael Kearns (Intern), Kyle Roe (Intern), Eric Stofferahn, and Jesse Tucker (Intern)
• Manual and Packaging Design: Lindsay Muller and Michael Wagner
• Vice President of PR and Marketing: Pete Hines
• Manager, PR & Marketing: Erin Losi
• President: Vlatko Andonov
• Music Composed and Produced by: Rod Abernethy, Jason Graves, and www.rednoteaudio.com
• Sound Design by: Soundelux Design Music Group
• Additional Sound Design: Mark Lampert
• Voice Talent: William Shatner
• Voice Casting and Production: Blindlight LLC
• Writers: Dorothy Fontana and Derek Chester
• Concept Art: Craig Mullins
• Additional Video Design / Support: Steven Green
• Star Trek quotes from Quotable Star Trek by: Jill Sherwin, © 1999 by Paramount Pictures, Published by Pocket Books
• Special Thanks: Jeffrey Nemerovski, Paula Block, John Van Citters, Harry Lang, Daniel Felts, Marco Palmieri, and the entire Bethesda Softworks IT, Accounting, and Legal departments

External links

• Tactical Assault at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Star Trek: Tactical Assault at TrekCore