Cellblock Squadrons

Convicts in Space

Back in the 90s, the conventional industry published a series of excellent space shooters with considerable depth of story--games like the Wing Commander series and Privateer. They seem to have gone out of fashion at retail, but if you remember them fondly, Cellblock Squadrons may be just the ticket.

No, you won't get the long, rendered cut-scenes of Wing Commander; this is an indie title, of course, developed on budgets typical of such. But story is one of Cellblock Squadrons' strong suits: you're a convicted criminal with a (dollar-denominated) debt to society you must pay off by flying combat missions in a squadron of other criminals. Each 'week,' you must choose a mission--higher paying ones are of course more dangerous--and hope eventually to discharge your debt before you get killed in battle. Since you're held in solitary confinement, interaction with other characters is via email.

The game is 3D--not as high a poly-count as a big-budget game, of course, but reasonably attractive--and your ship can be controlled entirely with the mouse (controls are configurable, however). Combat missions are short, intense, and (since you fly with other convicts) can involve a large number of ships.

On the whole, Cellblock Squadrons is a nicely polished game with quite a lot of depth to it... If space shooters are something you enjoy, give it a try.

The Developer Says:

Delve into a future world where every criminal has a debt to society, and the darkness of space is where it's to be repayed. Join in missions with up to 99 other criminals and earn your freedom, so that one day, you can finally go home. Choose from five small craft and experience reflex busting gameplay, randomized weapon placements and some time in solitary confinement, as you fight against more than forty enemy battleships, bent on your entire squad's destruction.

You're not going to save the universe... this time, you're only going to save yourself.

Reviews

"So, if you're a big time fan of space shooters, and you want a good challenge, go ahead and pick up Cellblock Squadrons."
GamersInfo

"Cellblock Squadrons offers a truly unique slant on space fighter simulation. It was clearly developed with a care and attention to detail that’s rare even for mainstream PC games."
GameTunnel

Awards

Best First Person Space Shooter, Gametunnel Game of the Year 2005