Close Combat - Panthers in the Fog

I've been playing the Close Combat series of real-time, tactical wargames since 1997 and after a little deliberation, dived back in and grabbed the latest incarnation, Panthers in the Fog.

A host of improvements, including higher resolutions, graphical effects and additional command screens, to name a few, have resulted in the most polished version of this classic veteran to date.

The combat remains the same, tense, top-down squad by squad affair; although the new(er) maps with their additional detail add greater clarity and compliment the enhanced effects, such as the smoke and explosion effects.

The pre-battle operational screens give welcome depth and context to the ensuing tactical duels, although they are limited somewhat in scope.

Despite the influx of 3D, action strategy titles such as Company of Heroes and Combat Mission, it is Close Combat - for me, at least - that remains unsurpassed. Of course, it's now showing its age a little and some of the old issues remain, such as the occasional spinning tank and poor pathfinding; but the tense, unforgiving combat remains the best available.

That's it for now,

Monty

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