Close Combat 2: A Bridge Too Far is a delightful little top-down “Real Time Tactical” war game set in World War 2, in which the player takes control of either the German, British, American or Polish forces in a recreation of one of the pivotal moments in World War 2, operation Market Garden.
What makes SS2 exceptional amongst its peers is the sheer depth of information stored about each individual unit on the battlefield. Every soldier and vehicle has limited stocks of ammunition to see them through the battle, though they can salvage gear from the fallen if need be.
They also have an individual morale value, raised by nearby officers and support, reduced by casualties and incoming fire – if it falls too low they can bunker down, refuse orders of run away. Injuries and exertion are measured as well, reducing the speed and effectiveness of troops. Additionally, units gain experience, with veteran troops both more powerful and less likely to panic – and these improvements would carry over from mission to mission.
All in all these factors combine to produce a game which at least 'feels' far more realistic than anything of the era. It rewards slow, careful progress and taking care of the troops you have; charging blindly in is very quickly and severely punished (and blindly is the
word – enemies do not become fully visible until one of your units is in position to get a good look at them, otherwise you must guess where and what type the enemy units are by sound and muzzle-flare).
Most of the game's twenty-odd maps are roughly a quarter of a square kilometre in size and cover a broad swathe of Belgium. The Grand Campaign mode follows the entire operation to capture the five key bridges the Allies hoped to use to funnel forces into the heart of Germany; alternatively it is possible to play any of the maps stand-alone with fixed forces, or to fight a short campaign over one of the three main areas, either against the IA or another player.
Overall, if you like to carefully plan and orchestrate large-scale infantry battles and appreciate historical authenticity in your games, give CC2 a go.
