Thursday 2 February 2012

Close Combat

Of all the video games I've wasted my life on, without doubt, the Close Combat series of Real-Time Strategy titles remains the best; despite its 15-year vintage. Developed by Atomic Games back in '96, its top-down  World War 2 action set during Operation Market Garden, remain largely unsurpassed in their ingenuity and tension.

A true tactical strategy challenge, it is still my favourite online game, despite the arrival of newer, more technically advanced rivals. 




The original box art following the game's original launch back in '97 when it was published by Microsoft.



The action is viewed via a rudimentary non-scalable screen, with units - squads, tanks and artillery etc. handled by sprites. Morale, unit cohesion and experience levels are all modelled and play an integral part in the battle.



The deployment screen where the player can select reinforcements and force composition prior to, and after, battle where surviving units are carried over with increased experience levels. 



   


The game is now published by Matrix Games, but still retains its fundamental mechanics, despite various tweaks and is laptop -friendly, so can go anywhere - perfect. It has now moved into the modern area of conflict, but has never been better than when slugging it out against the Hun.

So, if you've never had a blast on this classic, give it a go and see how compelling it (still) is...

That's it for now!

Monty


34 comments:

  1. Monty,
    You have no idea how happy I am to see that someone else appreciated this game. I owned the trilogy and loved it. I thought the Eastern Front scenarios were the easiest and the Market Garden ones were the toughest. Wasn't there a Bulge version that also came out?
    Man what a great game that was!

    Close combat presents many situations that I think anyone would find challenging. I can remember cold and snowy nights in college playing that game all night trying to beat certain levels and keep my troops alive!

    Wow thanks for posting. :)

    Steve

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  2. I must have missed this game, somehow?? But it looks excellent, I may go searching online!!

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  3. Yes!! I had the trilogy as well, and they saved my sanity through a long cold Oxford winter. Market garden was my favourite, especially when you had the points to buy a 17 pounder...

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  4. I like this, going to search out the WW2 and the modern.....

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  5. Thanks for the comments, chaps - it's great to hear there are some 'vets' out there ;)
    For Ray and Fran, I would go for it! There are no fancy graphics or effects (obviously) but it all comes down to the gameplay; I'm sure you will agree :)

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  6. I played the demo of the Russian front Close Combat game and had the full versions for Battle of the Bulge and Normandy. Most enjoyable WW2 games for the computer.

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  7. I too seem to have missed this but know that this would be the sort of game I would love. Lost far too many hours of my life on the age of empires trip! Not sure I dare check this out.

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  8. Do it Michael, I'm sure you will enjoy the experience, despite the game's vintage :)

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  9. A great game this. Some years ago I one organised several one-day campaigns where we had a series of battles with 4 players per side. Brilliant stuff.

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  10. Nice one, must admit, it's the best online game I think I've played :)

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  11. Had this, loved it. CC3 (Eastern Front) was v'good too.
    Might have to dig them out (any my old laptop)

    cheers
    Steve

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  12. The first Close Combat I played and the best (many years ago).

    I just picked it up again for $2 from a thrift shop.

    I couldn't resist it. An old game but one of the best :)

    Happy Gaming,

    Allan

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  13. Brilliant stuff! Maybe a online clan in the making? :)

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  14. Combat is the good war video game to play. The battle of this video game is very thrilling. I really enjoy to use the different war weapons to play this game.

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  15. I still play the one based in normandy. that is a fun game.

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