Combat Mission Shock Force 2

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 421 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Combat Mission Shock Force 2 Game Cover
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Combat Mission Shock Force 2 is a tactical war game that simulates modern ground combat. Players command a variety of military units and vehicles in battles set in the Middle East, using real-world weapons and equipment. With a focus on realism and strategy, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience for fans of military simulations.

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Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 421 reviews
story26 positive mentions
graphics24 negative mentions
  • Deep and detailed tactical simulation of modern warfare, offering a unique gameplay experience.
  • Engaging and challenging gameplay that requires strategic thinking and careful planning.
  • Rich modding community and extensive user-generated content, enhancing replayability.
  • Outdated graphics and engine performance issues, leading to a less visually appealing experience.
  • Steep learning curve that may deter casual players; requires significant time investment to master.
  • High price point for the base game and DLCs, which some players feel is not justified given the age of the game.
  • story172 mentions

    The "story" aspect of Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 is centered around a fictional military conflict where NATO forces invade Syria following a terrorist attack involving nuclear devices. Players engage in a series of tactical missions that emphasize realism and the consequences of their decisions, with unit casualties affecting future missions. While the narrative framework is compelling, some players find the execution repetitive, with missions often following similar patterns and lacking significant variation in gameplay.

    • “The missions take a while and are fun to play; they require time and thinking to get things done right.”
    • “If you have an interest in tactical-level combat, the Combat Mission games are among the best I have played.”
    • “Also, the mission briefings and consequential casualties that carry through the campaign really make it feel like a journey you try to get all of your men through alive.”
    • “Overall, I was disappointed with Combat Mission Shock Force 2.”
    • “If the developers and publisher are serious about continuing the Combat Mission franchise, they have to improve the engine considerably.”
    • “Honestly, how best to describe Shock Force 2 as someone who's recently been dipping their feet into the Combat Mission genre?”
  • graphics103 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as outdated, with many reviewers noting they resemble visuals from the early 2000s or even earlier. While some players appreciate the depth and gameplay mechanics, they often express disappointment over the poor visual quality, clunky user interface, and performance issues, suggesting that the graphics detract from the overall experience. Despite the dated appearance, a few users mention that modding can enhance the visuals, but the general consensus is that the graphics are a significant drawback, especially given the game's price.

    • “Graphics are good, terrain is highly detailed and plays a huge role, there's a large disposition of multiple camera angles too.”
    • “The graphics is pretty decent and it really shines out when you zoom in.”
    • “This game would easily give Graviteam a run for its money if the graphics matched.”
    • “The graphics are very outdated.”
    • “The graphics in this game are about 20 years out of date, it really is terrible.”
    • “Graphics are unfortunately outdated at best, and the UI is clunky, which is not something new for wargamers anyway.”
  • gameplay59 mentions

    The gameplay of this military simulation game is noted for its depth and strategic complexity, offering a unique experience that emphasizes tactical decision-making and unit management. However, players have criticized various mechanics, such as line of sight and infantry combat, for being unrealistic and buggy, which can detract from the overall experience. While the dated graphics and engine are acknowledged, many find the gameplay rewarding once they overcome the steep learning curve and appreciate the intricate systems at play.

    • “There is really nothing else like it in the strategy world, and it provides intense and strategic gameplay that really lets you fill the role of a commander.”
    • “I learned the incredible depth of the mechanics and systems of the game, developed an appreciation for the skill level required to command battalion-level tactical operations, and the satisfaction that is gained from completing a mission with minimal casualties.”
    • “However, once you start to understand the mechanics and how to use the UI, you'll realize this game is incredibly in-depth and tactical.”
    • “The worst mechanic of this game is the line of sight.”
    • “The gameplay is buggy as hell and half the time it's a constant struggle to get your units to perform simple tasks.”
    • “The infantry combat is laughable, including the inability to shoot while moving, the seeming inability to hit anything, and the suppression mechanics being massively too sensitive.”
  • optimization27 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance even on high-end hardware, attributed to an outdated engine. While the depth of gameplay is appreciated, the clunky performance and graphical limitations significantly detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration among players. Overall, the lack of updates and optimization has left many feeling that the game does not justify its price.

    • “Gameplay is fun and not too expensive for mid graphics and optimization.”
    • “The performance really is the killer here; if you can get through that, you'll find a lovely wargame hidden deep beneath it.”
    • “This is a pretty major strike for me, especially in the era where combat mission isn't the only game in town and other companies are making war games that look better and are better optimized.”
    • “However, it's time to update the engine, guys. It runs poorly, and while we pretty much all enjoy the game, there's no excuse for producing 9 out of 10 games on (what the development team calls new) an engine that has the same poor performance with zero updates. Great series, horrendous business practices.”
    • “This game is not worth the money; it has so many issues with performance that it makes no difference how high spec your computer is.”
    • “A really good combined arms wargame, let down by an outdated engine with terrible performance.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck, others experience significant bugs and gameplay issues that require extensive troubleshooting and re-installs. Many users highlight frustrating glitches, such as unresponsive units and visual effects not functioning correctly, indicating a need for updates to address these performance problems.

    • “Old engine but good game, and it runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
    • “Spent 2 hours troubleshooting, several re-installs.”
    • “The gameplay is buggy as hell and half the time it's a constant struggle to get your units to perform simple tasks.”
    • “Update the performance issues and some of the effect glitches like the fire just being on the ground like a static picture. Bought it when it first came out on Battlefront... none of these issues on that build.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, particularly for military simulation enthusiasts, thanks to its detailed scenarios and powerful scenario editor. However, some players note limitations in AI behavior and a lack of diverse scenarios, which can reduce replay value over time. The availability of free downloadable missions further enhances the game's longevity and enjoyment.

    • “Awesome simulation for war game enthusiasts; it adds replayability with different soft factors and DLCs. A must-buy for anyone interested in military simulation.”
    • “Scenario editor seems very powerful for replayability.”
    • “The sheer depth and free downloadable missions give it a ton of replay value.”
    • “The game is replayable but not as much as you might think due to not having that many scenarios and the AI in skirmish being unable to come up with overall battle plans, only able to make unit-by-unit responses.”
    • “So the replay value of that scenario turns into remembering where the hidden insurgent unit was.”
    • “Scenario editor seems very powerful for replayability.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players note that grinding in the game involves tedious micromanagement, such as setting up waypoints for vehicles to avoid mines, which can be frustrating. However, those who appreciate wargames and realism may find this aspect rewarding despite its demands for patience.

    • “The solution is to tediously set up waypoints every meter or so for every vehicle individually to try to make sure they don't hit a mine.”
    • “This game does require some patience and tedious micromanaging, but if you are a fan of wargames and realism, then this game is for you.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is criticized as being poor, overshadowed by misleading advertising, yet it offers workshop support for players to enhance their experience with modern combat elements.

    • “Granted, they have a terrible monetization model, but they at least have workshop support for implementing modern combat elements and more.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully experience the game without spending extra money.”
  • music1 mentions

    The game features classic, impactful menu music that resonates with players, but it lacks volume sliders, limiting control over audio settings.

    • “You're hit with classic ear-rattling menu music, but there are no volume sliders in the game at all.”
    • “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The music doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly immersive, allowing players to overlook some of the less impressive textures and models due to the overall sense of realism it creates.

    • “You learn to drown out some of the poor textures or models because of how immersed you become in the atmosphere and realism.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

20hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
20-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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