Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg
- January 25, 2024
- Battlefront
Get on Steam"Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg" is a tactical wargame set during the Western Allies' advance through Germany from October 1944 to January 1945, with a focus on the Battle of the Bulge. The game features two expansive campaigns, one following American forces into Aachen and the other depicting Kampfgruppe Peiper's famous drive into American lines. Harsh weather and rugged terrain add to the challenge of the battles.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Combat Mission offers a unique and immersive experience in military simulation, with a strong focus on tactical combat and historical accuracy.
- The game features a diverse selection of units and battles, providing players with engaging scenarios and challenges.
- For fans of the Combat Mission series, this title is a worthy addition that enhances the gameplay experience with new campaigns and improved unit options.
- The game suffers from outdated graphics and a clunky engine, leading to performance issues and a lack of fluidity in gameplay.
- AI behavior is poorly implemented, resulting in frustrating micromanagement and unrealistic unit actions during combat.
- The high price point for the game is seen as unjustifiable given its technical shortcomings and the repetitive nature of the series.
- story20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the "Combat Mission" series is characterized by its focus on military simulation and tactical gameplay, often revolving around pre-planned defenses and attacks. While the narrative may not be the primary draw, it effectively immerses players in a detailed wargaming experience that appeals to fans of the genre, particularly those who appreciate its historical context and strategic depth. However, the game's technical limitations and outdated graphics engine detract from the overall experience, making it feel less innovative compared to modern titles.
“I have been playing Combat Mission games since 2003, and Final Blitzkrieg closes the chapter for the Allies in the West.”
“Final Blitzkrieg is a superb entry into the Combat Mission series.”
“If you like the Combat Mission series, this is a brilliant addition.”
“For this reason, probably 75% of Combat Mission scenarios have you on the attack, unraveling a pre-planned defense.”
“Combat Mission is literally decades behind, and each game they release is nearly identical to the previous.”
“Combat Mission is basically a typical boomer wargame - an essentially computerized version of these awful board games from the 70s and 80s.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely criticized for their poor quality, resembling technology from the early 2000s, and struggle to maintain smooth performance even on modern hardware, with frame rates capped around 40 FPS on larger maps. Additionally, the lack of advanced features like a topographical map or line of sight tools further detracts from the overall visual experience.
“On larger, battalion-sized maps, even with modern graphics cards, Combat Mission cannot get higher than around 40 frames per second, which suggests there is some issue with the frame buffer and render loop.”
“It's either that or it isn't properly culling, because Combat Mission's graphical fidelity is dreadful.”
“It wouldn't matter if the other elements were fine, but the graphics are trapped circa 2000.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Gameplay has suffered from decreased fluidity and UI responsiveness, particularly during larger battles, due to technical limitations. However, players who grasp the game's complex mechanics may find the experience justifies its price.
“The depth of the game mechanics really justifies the price tag.”
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging and keeps you coming back for more.”
“Each level offers unique challenges that make the gameplay feel fresh and exciting.”
“Sadly, the full fluidity of gameplay and UI has decreased over time due to some technical outdatedness, especially during larger, battalion-sized battles.”
“The gameplay feels clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.”
“There are too many bugs and glitches that disrupt the gameplay, leading to frustration.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game's combat scenarios, particularly during CQB breaches, where the timing of character movements leads to comical delays, such as a pointman rushing in while the next character is humorously late by several seconds.
“Watching a CQB breach in combat missions is hilarious; the pointman runs in, and the next guy through the funnel is literally 10 seconds late.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud throughout the game.”
“The humor in the character interactions adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making even the most intense moments feel lighthearted.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that the game's engine requires significant optimization, leading to frame drops that can hinder strategic planning and troop placement, making the grinding experience feel tedious.
“The game engine is definitely in need of some optimization, as you will experience frame drops at times that can make planning your turns and placing your troops very tedious.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, with little reward for the time invested.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged, turning what could be an exciting experience into a monotonous task.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the uniforms and weapons are visually appealing, there is a notable lack of optimization in terms of performance, suggesting that the game's mechanics may not be as refined as expected.
“The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I found the loading times to be excessively long, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
“Despite having a powerful PC, I still encountered lag and performance hiccups that shouldn't be happening.”
