Field Commander: Theatre of War / Warhammer 40k: Squad Command

A double serving of turn-based war in one — this pairing places an expansion of classic military strategy alongside a trip into the dark future of Warhammer 40,000. For fans of thoughtful battles on PSP, it meant several reasons to leave the console in sleep mode only rarely.

Field Commander: Theatre of War follows on from the turn-based war where you command units on a map divided into tiles, capture key positions and combine ground, air and naval forces. The emphasis lies on terrain, positioning and the right timing of a strike — that is, on everything that makes turn-based strategy so addictive. It's pocket entertainment cut for players who like to savor every move.

Warhammer 40k: Squad Command shifts the emphasis elsewhere: into a grim, war-torn future where you command a small squad of Space Marines against superior numbers. This game places greater emphasis on destructible environments and small-unit tactics — instead of large armies, you deal with the fight for cover, firing lines and the survival of a handful of elite soldiers. The atmosphere of desperate confrontation for which the 40K universe is renowned tries to assert itself even on the small screen.

Both games are united by a love of turn-based combat, but they differ in scale and mood. While strategy in the Field Commander style is about commanding an entire war machine, Squad Command is more intimate, harsher and more about the individual soldiers you don't want to lose. For PSP it was a welcome expansion of a genre that always worked splendidly on handhelds thanks to the ability to put a game on hold at any time.

Together they form an enticing offer for any tactician who wants more than just quick action on the go. Whether you prefer classic war over a map or brutal sci-fi survival combat, you'll find depth here that rewards clever planning.

Why play: For fans of turn-based tactics who want both classic war over a map and grim sci-fi combat of a small squad in the world of Warhammer 40K.