14 DAY TRIAL // I mostly like the strategic, solar level of The Last Federation and the way it allows me to interact with the races while constantly trying to do more with my limited resources, but the development team at Arcen Games has also included a tactical battle system in the game, which manages to be both simple and engaging.
A lot can be solved through diplomacy and by using money and influence to get races to deal more equitably with each other (remember, I am role playing as a sort of humanitarian, benevolent rogue), but sometimes, one simply needs to get his hands dirty and kill some enemies.
The combat is turn based, with the player always in control of his own prototype spaceship, which has weapons and abilities that depend on the initial choice or race and can be upgraded using tech bought from the black market.
The first few engagements are exceedingly simple and can lead the player into a false sense of security when it comes to combat in The Last Federation.
I then lost three or four campaigns in a row because I adventured too far and too fast and reconsidered my stance, which led to a number of games in which I was overly cautious, always allowing my allies to take a beating, while I preserved my own resources, which also had negative long-term consequences.
At the moment, I might have reached a middle ground and I believe that solid use of the special abilities that one acquires are the key to victory.
My ship is currently relying quite a bit on stealth, which works wonders even after combat is first engaged, and on a one-time ability that allows me to transfer power to shields when I am in the middle of the enemy fleet.
The Operations, which bring in additional smaller craft, are also very useful because they tie up enemy firepower and I often use them just to cancel out the various projectiles heading towards my own ship.
The combat in The Last Federation can quickly become a little chaotic and it takes a lot of careful planning for the first few turns to make sure that the gamer gets into a solid tactical position and is not targeted by too many enemies at once.
Arcen Games has created a solid combat system that will certainly appeal to many players who are less interested in solving crisis through peaceful means.