Orbital Onslaught

Orbital Onslaught by nerdook is another free game on the Internet.

It claims to be a real-time/turn-based tactical-strategy game where the player's character commands a force of mercenaries out to capture fugitive criminals. In my opinion, it is more like a real-time tactical-strategy game.

At every fixed interval of time, the player gets to deploy units. This is the turn-based portion of the game. Once that is done, the units are deployed and the game plays normally in real-time. Troops will go charging to the assigned waypoint or the opposing leader, capturing territory along the way.

Capturing territory is an important part of the game, since the player can deploy troops on territory he/she owns. The opponent can also deploy troops behind the player's line of troops if it has territory behind the player's line.

Battle continues on, with deployments at fixed-time intervals, until a leader is down.

Battle under heavenly eyes.

Don't mind the ominous Orbital Bombardment warning at the top of the screen. It is just a little game mechanic to keep the battle from going too long. Play the game to see what it actually does.

(Writer cop-out strikes again! :p)

In between missions, there is the Mission Selection screen where the player can check out details of the next battle. Then the player can prepare his/her troops accordingly.

Planning the next battle.

Concerning the three skulls at the top left of the screen, apparently the player is only allowed to lose a battle three times before there are 'penalties'. Not sure what the penalties are since I do not plan on losing three times.

The player starts with basic units. New units unlock after each battle. With money earned from battles, the player can buy new units or upgrade existing ones.

The early-game lineup.

New units that are hired will replace existing ones. However, money does not seem to be a major issue. So there is no need of a 'reserve' roster.

Oh, and the walker up in the screenshot, I sneaked that in. :)

Overwhelm the opponent!

Overall, Orbital Onslaught is an easy game to understand (especially with lots of hints everywhere). It is simple and enjoyable to play. The game does not last long but the player can replay the game after it ends.

I have already beat the game three times. :)