Unlike in the X-COM: UFO Defense, there is no base building, resource management or research. During combat, the player controls a squad of single-character units and must accomplish various goals. Units have a certain number of action points, which are renewed at the beginning of every turn. Each action, from turning to walking to shooting consumes action points. Therefore, they are only allowed to perform a certain number of actions per turn.

The player may also pick up and use weapons from dead enemies and allies. As ammunition is limited, it is sometimes necessary to loot a corpse in order to keep fighting. As units specialize in different areas, it is important to adopt a strategy that will fully utilize the strength of each of the many weapons used. It is also possible for a character to act as a medic, using a medikit to heal comrades.

Every time a unit damages an enemy, heals an ally, or uses psionics, it gains experience points. Once they have enough, they gain a level which raises their attributes such as strength, constitution, and intelligence at random. They also gain one skill point which the player can assign to a skill of their choosing, such as heavy weapons, hand-to-hand combat, medicine or stealth. Thus, as the game progresses, each unit becomes stronger and they may specialize in a type of weapon or skill above all others.

In the year 2117, a race of aliens known as the Arelians have enslaved the human population of Earth using their henchmen, the savage Zorn. They insert implants into infants' brains at birth, to be able to track them. As soon as someone turns 30, the aliens take the person away and nothing is known about their subsequent fate.

The main character, Jorel, after losing both his parents to the alien invaders, decides to flee south to Mexico to join the rebel forces and fight the alien invaders. Thanks to his strong psionic resistance, his brain rejected the implant and he brings new hope to the desperate human race looking for a leader.

Later, the true nature of the Arelians and the Zorn is revealed. The Arelians, bored of the collective mind of the alien race, enslaved the humans for entertainment. The Zorn, in return for helping the Arelians, were to be allowed to eat any human above the age of 30.

Rebelstar: Tactical Command was well received, having an average score of 77.83% at GameRankings.^[3] It received positive reviews from GameSpot (7.8/10),^[5] GameSpy (4/5)^[6] and IGN (7.7/10).^[7] The game would be highly praised for adapting the combat mechanics of the highly detailed and acclaimed PC strategy series but would also receive criticism for sub-par presentation, a lacklustre storyline, and lack of link-mode support.^[6] According to a retro review by GameFan, "everything in Rebelstar is spot on, from its plot to the game’s difficulty curve."^[8]

The game was supposed to be followed by the cancelled sequel Rebelstar 2: The Meklon Conspiracy.^[9][10]

• Rebelstar: Tactical Command at MobyGames