Close Combat: Gateway to Caen

About

"Close Combat: Gateway to Caen" is a tactical and strategic wargame set in World War II, specifically during the Battle of Normandy. Command British forces in their attempt to break through German lines and cross the Odon River, controlling squads, vehicles, artillery, and air strikes in intense close combat. Experience the depth of the critically-acclaimed Close Combat series, with the added advantage of controlling both high-level strategy and low-level tactics.

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Close Combat: Gateway to Caen screenshot

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 570 reviews

graphics30 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

The game retains the classic Close Combat gameplay, providing a nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
The updated graphics and sound effects, particularly the explosion visuals, enhance the overall experience.
The game offers a challenging and realistic tactical experience, requiring players to manage units effectively and consider various factors like morale and ammunition.

The user interface is outdated and cumbersome, making it difficult to track unit status and manage commands effectively.
The AI is often criticized for being poor, with enemy units failing to engage or respond logically during battles.
The price point is considered too high for the content and improvements offered, leading many to feel it is not worth the investment.

graphics
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
66%
10%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are improved from earlier titles, they still feel dated and reminiscent of older 2D games. Some appreciate the high-resolution details and effects, particularly explosions, while others express disappointment over the lack of significant advancements and the overall simplistic aesthetic. Despite the graphical limitations, many players emphasize that the gameplay remains engaging and that the visuals do not detract from the tactical experience.
- “Plays much the same as any classic CC game, but this one in particular has such lovely high-resolution graphics that are a step up from even 'Panthers in the Fog', and I say this to praise the ease of 'reading' the battlefield, not just out of a shallow desire for pretty graphics.”
- “The graphics are improved from the earlier games in the series, from nice effects of smoke to more refined textures of the ground and units in general.”
- “The graphics are first class and the countryside of Normandy in the summer of 1944 looks spot on - mostly dry and dusty judging by the photos from the campaign.”
- “It is though, disappointing to see that the graphics remain the same after all these years.”
- “The game feels like it is from the 90's along with the graphics.”
- “A price tag as for a AAA game but which feels 10 years old, both regarding graphics and gameplay, is way too much.”
gameplay
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
66%
16%
The gameplay of the latest installment in the Close Combat series is described as solid and nostalgic, retaining much of the classic mechanics that fans appreciate, though some find it outdated and lacking innovation. While the graphics have seen some improvement, many reviewers feel that the gameplay experience remains largely unchanged from previous titles, with some noting issues like poor AI and choppy performance. Overall, it offers a fun and intense experience for dedicated fans, but may not satisfy those seeking modern advancements in gameplay or graphics.
- “It is true that much hasn't changed from the older games, but the gameplay is as solid as ever - and with some nice additions.”
- “Gateway to Caen sticks with the series and delivers intense gameplay.”
- “If you're a fan of the classic close combat series, you'll probably be satisfied by the refined gameplay and updated graphics.”
- “Gameplay is terrible.”
- “Choppy gameplay.”
- “This looks a bit same like earlier ones, but gameplay is like drinking tar.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
77%
12%
The game's story mode is generally considered decent, offering a variety of campaigns, missions, and the ability to create custom scenarios, which can provide hours of gameplay. While some players appreciate the tactical depth and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Combat Mission, others express disappointment with the graphics and certain gameplay mechanics, such as the limitations of regular infantry against tanks. Overall, the narrative experience is engaging for those willing to invest time, though technical issues have been reported.
- “Every battle is a story and if you have the time to dedicate you'll not be sorry.”
- “There are plenty of campaigns, operations, missions, and you can create your own, to create several hours worth of gameplay.”
- “Close combat was always one of my all-time favorites when it comes to tactics and strategy - much more approachable than Combat Mission, realistic and nice looking.”
- “After trying the first campaign mission about ten times, I'm done.”
- “I am severely disappointed about the opening graphics (I feel like I am going back to 1991 when I first choose my mission).”
- “Some missions all you get is regular infantry.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes and freezes, particularly during multiplayer battles, which significantly hampers gameplay. While some players note that it runs well on certain systems, the overall consensus is that the game is too buggy to justify its price, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “It has stayed true to its classic gameplay and runs great on Steam/Windows 7.”
- “It has stayed true to its classic gameplay and runs great on Steam/Windows 7.”
- “In multiplayer, this game 'locks up' (freezes) during battles.”
- “When playing multiplayer (as this game is intended to, since AI has always been extremely poor), the game crashes or freezes.”
- “I have tried many times and so far never been able to finish more than two battles before the game crashes or freezes.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The game's campaign mode significantly enhances its replayability compared to its predecessor, cc3, offering a variety of options, maps, and units that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players consistently highlight the abundance of replay value available through these diverse gameplay elements.
- “The campaign has plenty of replay value with the different options, maps, and units in the game!”
- “Compared to CC3, the main difference is the campaign mode that brings you much more replayability.”
- “Lots of replay value...”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating, as battles on large maps with small forces lead to slow and repetitive gameplay. The difficulty in tracking soldiers due to their small size and the tediousness of navigating vast terrains contribute to a cumbersome experience, often requiring players to engage in tedious "find the pixel" scenarios. Overall, the combination of these factors makes for a less enjoyable and more monotonous gaming experience.
- “Grinding over the same maps repeatedly.”
- “In addition, you are often engaged off the screen and scrolling around is tedious, especially if you are being fired on by someone who is concealed and you have to play 'find the pixel' to locate them.”
- “The new graphics make your soldiers small and hard to track, and unreasonable map sizes make terrain evaluation extremely tedious.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for feeling unfinished, particularly in the interface, which lacks refinement. Users have noted that while performance metrics like kills and awards are tracked, the overall experience does not feel well-optimized.
- “Your men maintain their kills, awards, and performance.”
- “The interface also feels a bit unfinished, not really optimized.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game features a great soundtrack and sound effects, although some players find the bagpipe music at the start of battles to be annoying. However, those who can overlook this initial distraction will enjoy the overall musical experience.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are just great.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are just great.”
- “If you can get past the annoying bagpipe music at the beginning of every battle, you are in for a treat.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of "Close Combat: Gateway to Cash Grab" has been widely criticized by users, who label it as a blatant cash grab. This sentiment suggests that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to dissatisfaction among the community.
- “Cash grab.”
- “Close combat: gateway to cash grab.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly impactful, with players describing it as profoundly heartbreaking, evoking strong feelings and deep connections to the narrative and characters.
- “Heartbreaking!”
- “Heartbreaking!”