Rebelstar Tactical Command (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2005)

X-com lite on your handheld, thats the best way to describe this game. If you enjoyed the X-com series this title has a lot to offer. Rebelstar feels and plays very much like the first X-com game "UFO Defense".
The good:
Overall gameplay is great. Rebelstar is a turned based squad level strategy game. Pitting hapless humans agaist the alien menace. Your squads fight in cities, jungles, and other exotic locations. The story is typical Sci-Fi Saturday afternoon movie : aliens own our planet, trouble makers are trying to find out the who, what, when, and why. While killing as many aliens as possible. Your character gains experiance and levels up just like any other RPG game. The anime style artwork in the cut scenes is done very well.
The not so bad:
The graphics are just OK. The sound could have been a little better. The enemy AI can be weak at times. Those are all very minor complaints, and could be levelled at 90% of the games out there right now on any platform.

Thanks!

I was looking for a turn-based strategy like Advance Wars 2, I can never play enough of that game when traveling. Rebelstar Tactical Command was suggested and since I got it I've been playing it until I'm cross-eyed! Rather than moving around generic tanks like in Advance Wars, you have individual characters that you use. Most missions let you choose which individuals you want to utilize, and as each character kills enemies they get experience, level up and increase their attribute numbers. Better numbers in certain attributes permit you to increase certain skill levels. For example, the character Sapphire is given to you and as she gains levels her intelligence and dexterity attributes will develop better than her courage and speed. She will make a better medic than a close-quarters fighter, and as you give her points in the medic skill she can heal more "hit points" and use less "action points" every time you need her to heal a character. "Action points" are the backbone of this game. Both your characters and the enemies have a certain amount of APs for each round that increase as they level up with experience. A well-aimed shot costs more APs than a "snapshot," but it has a better percentage chance of hitting, and they game gives you exact numbers. For example, your sniper Ruby, at level 7, might have 15 Aps each round. She can make a snapshot for 5 APs, but it's only 44% accurate. She can also make an aimed shot for 9APs, and it's 79% accurate. Both shots do the same damage if they hit. If she has lots of ammo, and you don't want to move her, she can take one aimed and one snapshot (14 APs) or 3 snapshots (15 APs). If you need to re-position her you can move her 5 blocks (10 APs) and still take a snapshot.

Specializing each character, then mixing them into a balanced squad is essential, and you might find that you consistently leave behind a couple of characters as you better develop the others. In the first few maps the game does a great job of training you in every detail of what the characters can do. The storyline is ok, the characters are likable, and the enemy's tactics aren't always predictable. Overall it's a great thinking game that I plan to play through at least once more as soon as I finish it, just so I can specialize each character better.

RebelStar Tactical Command is a great turn based strategy Rpg game. This game is very similar to Advance Wars as with the gameplay and fun factor only with more of a alien twist to it. What I really like about this game is that unlike other rpg's which can get confusing for first time players is that before even starting a career, this game will guide you through an extensive interactive tutorial, which really enhances your gaming skills and experience. As you work your way up the command ladder you will gain access to tons of different weapons and skills. The gameplay is very easy to learn but the game is actually very difficult. The graphics are very good considering the platform and replay value is high because of the different game modes other than campaign like Skirmish, hotseat, and multiplayer modes. Not only is Rebelstar a great game, but it one of the more rare titles to come by. I would highly recommend this game to all and do not miss the chance to pick up a copy.

I had to choose the ebay in canada,because this game was not released in europe.and of course,the main reason was the price,I am sure that if it ever released in europe,it cost at least 20 GBP.

If you like the venerable Xcom series, you won't go wrong with this little gem!!
Addictive gameplay, pretty graphics and very decent sounds make this a must have game for the GBA.