Combat Mission is a 1-2 player, turn-based,
simultaneous-execution 3D simulation of WWII tactical warfare. It combines
unparalleled game depth and ease of use with a true 3D environment. The move
to the 3rd dimension is not just to look cool, rather it it improves the
accuracy of the simulation. Think of the world around us - it's all 3D. True
3D LOS, 3D spotting, 3D terrain, and 3D trajectories are a lot more realistic
than 2D approximations, so that is what CM delivers!
The Setting
Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord
takes you from Normandy 1944 to Germany 1945 on World War Two's Western Front.
Play as Allied or Axis, ranging from US Airborne to German Volkssturm. Battle
across the bocage, tackle a village or two, drive through the plains, push
into the woods, and slog it out in cities. CM provides all this and more with
its historical scenarios and campaigns. And if there is a battle that isn't
covered, make it up yourself with the easy to use editor.
The Scale
Units are squads, teams, and individual
vehicles. You can command a force as small as a platoon, or as large as a
reinforced battalion. Each man and weapon is kept track of for maximum
realism. For example, check out what a Sturmgruppe squad looks like.
The Scope
Each turn is equal to 60 seconds of combat.
Players give orders in a turn-based fashion, and then these orders are
simultaneously executed for 60 seconds of "real time". Then the next
orders phase begins. A typical scenario lasts about 40 turns, or 40 minutes of
simulated combat. There are also operations in CM, but not like you are used
to. You are put in command of a force tasked with a single ultimate objective.
You might have an afternoon or several days' worth of combat to achieve your
objective. You fight a small engagement (20-30 turns or so), then move on to
another after a brief rest and refit. Fight during the day, at night, or into
the early hours of the next day. It all depends on the campaign and your
skills.
The Features
There is so much new, different, and better
about Combat Mission that it is hard to know where to start! Most features
break with "standard" conventions, like spotting via sound, or
misidentification of targets. Others simply do a much better job, like the
instant feedback 3D LOS check. Still others go into uncharted territory, like
the adjustable waypoint movement system and incredibly accurate armor
penetration algorithms. Check out all the links associated with Combat Mission
and catch a glimpse of some of what Combat Mission offers.
The Historical Accuracy
We can not even begin to tell you how much love
and effort has been put into the research. Whether it is the detailed
TO&Es (Tables of Organization and Equipment), accurate OBs (Orders of
Battle), weapon characteristics, or the intense armor penetration algorithms
(be prepared to be surprised!), Combat Mission brings historical integrity to
a new level.
To Sum Up...
Just think about it... amazing historical
detail, unparalleled features, incredible ease of use, and cutting edge 3D
audio and visuals all wrapped up into one package. Big Time Software, the
Developer of CM, has a long history of delivering the goods. You won't be
disappointed!