Close Combat--similar games

[kserra]

Just rented the Band of Brothers DVD's...great series...highly recommended...

Got me in the mood for some squad based computer games...

I love XCOM, play it still, but when it comes to tactics and strategy in combat, it is a bit lacking (by which I mean there is no suppression fire, ability to use fire and manuever techniques, etc...)

I know I have a copy of Close Combat somewhere, and I plan on firing it up today, but I was just wondering what you guys think of that series and do you have any recommendations for similar type games...

Thanks.

Kevin

[Bubba Wheels]

A couple of good ones out/coming out: Soldiers: Heros of WW2 by Codemasters is previewed in this month's PC Gamer. If you liked comic books, Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich. One other one considered the 'spiritual successor' to X-Com is already out but can't think of the name of it.

[kserra]

A couple of good ones out/coming out: Soldiers: Heros of WW2 by Codemasters is previewed in this month's PC Gamer. If you liked comic books, Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich. One other one considered the 'spiritual successor' to X-Com is already out but can't think of the name of it.

The one I've heard of was Commandos...but it seems too linear...almost like a puzzle game where you have certain members who can only do certain things...if the guy who drives dies and you need to find a truck...you're out of luck...No thanks...hate puzzles...give me open ended strategy games...

I know the XCOM successor you are speaking about, but from what I've heard, if you are expecting XCOM updated, you'll be dissapointed...

Why someone just doesn't upgrade XCOM a bit, perhaps create a fresh story, and release the thing is beyond me...it seems that there is a nice market just waiting to eat something like this up...wish I was better at programming...

Kevin

[Calis]

Well my favorite squad-based game without a doubt is Jagged Alliance 2. Definitely try that one out if you haven't. It's not WW2 based but it's up there with X-Com as the best ever.

For a bit newer game you might want to pick up Silent Storm.

UFO: Aftermath is the "spiritual" successor to X-Com that Bubba was mentioning , but is a horrible game. I wouldn't recommend it at all.

Close Combat games are quite a bit of fun. It's been a long time since I've played them though and they're all sorta blurred together.

[WSUCougar]

I think Squad Assault: Westfront might be what you're looking for. There is a demo available. Check it out HERE (http://www.squadassault.com/main.asp) .

[kserra]

I think Squad Assault: Westfront might be what you're looking for. There is a demo available. Check it out HERE (http://www.squadassault.com/main.asp) .

Thanks for the tip...checking it out right now...

Calis...I agree about Jagged Alliance...I reinstalled it last month and had a blast with it...the characters are just great and the game play/strategy elements are top notch...

I haven't checked out the Urban Chaos mod, but will do so soon...

I read that the source code for JA2 is going to be released with the upcoming new expansion pack Wildfire...this should allow modders to create even better games...I recommend anyone who has not checked this out to head over to this website:

http://www.strategyplanet.com/jaggedalliance/

Kevin

[kserra]

wow...nice to find out you can buy and download Squad Assualt...

I'm going to play the demo and if I like it, I'll download it tonight...

I never figured out why all computer games aren't available for download??? Clearly you would still need to sell the game through traditional means as well, but with a Cable Modem, I've made more spur of the moment purchases of games because I can download them than I care to admit...

Kevin

[Calis]

I hated Squad Assault when I played it. I just found the whole thing very unwieldy. Just never clicked with me.

[DanGarion]

Once it comes out Full Spectrum Warrior. It looks AMAZING.

[-Mojo Jojo-]

I really like the Close Combat series, although I think it stuggled a bit where tanks were concerned. The overhead map view did a poor job of letting the player know what sort of line of sight armor had, and often by the time you figured it out you had been blown to smithereens. Pathfinding for armor wasn't great either. But in the infantry fights the engine kicked ass. Tactics, morale, supplies, weapons, terrain, etc were very well done. I think the one that did the D-day invasion (don't remember which version that was) was the best, for that reason. Lots of infantry, few armor. Unfortunately the AI wasn't great..

[Dutch]

CC1 was the west front.

CC2 was Operation Market Garden

CC3 was the east front.

CC4 was the Battle of the Bulge

CC5 was Utah Beach of D-Day.

It was all very well done, but had it's limitations as mentioned. The game engine's were very heavily modified by some great folks out there who have redone the graphics, sounds (I used to be one of the handfull of sound modder's back in the day) and others redid the AI to make it tougher (a lot tougher), and others still made full mod's like Bloody Omaha and WW1 and France 1940, and others.