Combat Mission Battle for Normandy
- March 28, 2023
- Battlefront
Get on Steam"Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy" is a tactical WW2 simulation, focusing on the three months following the D-Day landings in Western France. Players command American and German forces in four campaigns, 21 scenarios, and various quick battles, with a wide array of detailed combat equipment. The game utilizes a realistic 3D environment for battalion-level and below warfare, allowing control of individual vehicles, teams, and squads.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a staggering wealth of community content and DLC, making it one of the most supported titles in the Combat Mission series.
- It provides a highly realistic and immersive tactical combat experience, requiring players to engage deeply with the game's mechanics and battlefield conditions.
- Despite its dated graphics, the game is praised for its intricate and nuanced gameplay, appealing to hardcore wargamers who appreciate its depth and complexity.
- The game suffers from poor optimization and performance issues, including low FPS and screen flickering, which can make it unplayable for some users.
- Many players find the graphics and user interface to be outdated and clunky, detracting from the overall experience.
- The steep learning curve and unintuitive controls can be frustrating for new players, and the lack of a proper tutorial makes it difficult to get started.
- graphics60 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely criticized for being outdated, with many reviewers noting they resemble those from the 1990s or early 2000s, leading to poor performance and visual stuttering. Despite this, some players argue that the game's realistic tactical gameplay compensates for the lack of modern visuals, making it a worthwhile experience for those focused on strategy rather than aesthetics. Overall, while the graphics may deter some players, the game's depth and realism are praised by others who prioritize gameplay over visual fidelity.
“This game, no, this warfare simulator is achieving perfection if you can go beyond the aging graphics.”
“While the graphics are a little dated, there is no other wargame that is remotely as realistic as the Combat Mission series.”
“Graphics probably aren't a huge deal for you if the representation of tactical combat is solid (it is very solid here).”
“Extremely disappointed in the very poor graphics resolution.”
“20 year old graphics while being presented as modern is bs.”
“The stuttering graphics make it frustrating to interface with the game.”
- story50 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The "story" aspect of the Combat Mission series is characterized by its focus on historical accuracy and realism, with missions designed to reflect specific time periods and military tactics. Players appreciate the depth of strategy required, as the game encourages careful planning and execution rather than rushed gameplay. However, some users express disappointment with the lack of narrative-driven content, feeling that the game primarily offers isolated battles without significant story consequences.
“I love all the Combat Mission games; they are a masterpiece of the genre, and Battle for Normandy is no different.”
“If you enjoy playing realistic strategy games or are interested in Combat Mission games, consider giving this one a try.”
“Not interested in the slightest with one-off battles with no consequence or story, so that's what your £50 will get you.”
“No lobby browser for the multiplayer; most game content is hidden behind incredibly expensive DLCs - I paid $59.99 for this game and could only see maybe 30% of missions available.”
“Only real issue: the Combat Mission series is micro-intensive.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Gameplay is characterized by a mix of engaging military strategy mechanics and notable realism, though it suffers from outdated graphics and a lack of polish. Some mechanics, such as the "occupy" objectives, can be frustrating, and the absence of base-building or resource management limits depth. While the game offers a unique tactical experience, it struggles with interface issues and overall presentation, leaving some players wanting more modern features.
“The realism and gameplay is amazing.”
“I like the PBEM aspect and the semi-realism of the game mechanics.”
“If you ignore the awful interface, graphics, and all the general lack of polish, the gameplay is similar (and probably an improvement) to the old games - a good military strategy game.”
“There are some irksome issues with certain mechanics (e.g. 'occupy' objectives require you to root every last enemy soldier out of the objective as opposed to changing position based on the weighted strength of the forces present in the zone).”
“There are no base-building, resource management, or deck-building mechanics.”
“This developer needs to get with the times with graphics and audio; yes, this game has mechanics that no other game I've played has, but it's not that deep to really be engaging.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting poor performance and stuttering graphics that hinder gameplay. Despite the outdated visuals, many feel that the game fails to deliver a smooth experience, making it frustrating to play. While some recommend it for its realism and challenge, the optimization issues are a major drawback.
“It's a shame I was hoping it would be good, but the performance is so bad that I can't stomach playing it.”
“The stuttering graphics make it frustrating to interface with the game.”
“The graphics are outdated but get the job done, and performance is pretty poor (and does not get the job done). However, if you want what is probably the most realistic RTS or a tough challenge out there, I recommend it.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect manageable for smaller scenarios, especially if they are accustomed to handling counters; however, it can become tedious and repetitive in larger scenarios.
“Probably not a huge deal if you are used to shuffling counters, but it can get tedious in larger scenarios.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report experiencing strong emotional reactions, with some expressing feelings of sadness and frustration that led them to stop playing. The intensity of these emotions highlights the game's ability to resonate deeply with its audience.
