If you're not a wargamer you've probably only noticed Combat Mission in passing, perhaps on the obscure end of one of those "the year in" awards lists (where it typically lands a notch or two up from top-down wargames like SSG's Decisive Battles series, or the perennial shuffle of Matrix Games remakes). Maybe you've even heard it described as a turn-based tactical WEGO simulation of squad-level combat.
"Turn-based?" you ask, frowning over your Cheese Nips. "You mean like Civilization?"
No, not like Civilization. Not like Final Fantasy Tactics. Not like Galactic Civilizations or Master of Orion...or Axis & Allies, for that matter.
It's been just over seven years since Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord snuck up on hex-based World War II wargame wonks with its crude but functional 3D graphics, "we go at the same time" (instead of you-go, I-go), and unprecedented hyper-realistic 3D ballistics. Army Men meets The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, CMBO wasn't perfect, but it certainly muzzled combat grognards ("grumblers") back in June 2000 and spawned a list of mods as long and detailed as any I've seen for games like Starcraft or Doom.
Since then, indie developer Battlefront -- a bunch of super-talented guys obsessed with preserving their hobby -- have modestly dialed up CM's visuals, while extending theaters throughout Europe and south to Africa for some of the undisputed best in history-minded squad-level Second War War skirmishing.
Needless to say, with turns that can take hours to plan and outcomes resting on hair's breadth placement choices, it's not a series with the same visibility and appeal as your average Call of Duty or Medal of Honor. The latest game in the series -- Combat Mission: Shock Force -- is no exception, but in case you missed the announcement, it's finally arrived (much to the delight of guys who can sit in chairs and parse pixels for sixteen hours straight everywhere).
What's new?
- CMX2 game engine (improved graphics and 3D modeling)
- 1:1 representation of individual soldiers
- Near future modern war staged in Syria, 2007, after a coup
- Play as U.S. Stryker Brigade forces
- Optional real-time or turn-based battles
The just-released demo includes a tutorial, a single-player scenario, and the option to give things a multiplayer shake. Also, here's a great Youtube video sampling combat:
Again, think U.S.-military-sim-grade wargame here, folks. This isn't Company of Heroes or Brothers in Arms. But if you've always wanted something a bit more cerebral than the usual "point-and-shoot," who knows, it might just fit your bill.
