Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far - PC Review - Gamecenter

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Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far

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Stalag 13 Fight Night
A final plus is the documentation. The written manual is a good read which includes quotes from historical figures and accounts of the real campaign. The online manual is even better and includes complete weapon diagrams and statistics, plus a superhandy sound gallery--click on a sound to hear and see what it means. This is important because the Germans actually speak German, and the only German words I know come from--you guessed it--Hogan's Heroes: achtung, schnell, and dummkopf.
Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far is simply a great war game. It gets high marks in all respects, but is most notable for its realism and high degree of challenge. In fact, my only warning is that it might be too challenging for those not enamored with war games. Also, the pace is slower than most pure-action gamers can tolerate. However, these people are like Sergeant Shultz and "know nothing." A Bridge Too Far gets my vote for best strategy-war game of the year. It will be sure to please both casual strategy gamers and grognards alike. On a personal note, I have decided to take the German I've learned from Hogan's Heroes and A Bridge Too Far and put it to good use. Look for a Mexican-German fast-food restaurant called Taco Schnell in a city near you. Until next time, Au Wiedersehen.
Tips
-In many cases, the object of each battle is not to take the whole map immediately. If you try to cover a whole map with your initial forces, they will likely be wiped out. Plan to capture one or two strategic victory locations then call a cease fire (unless the quick capture of a bridge is required). After the cease fire, you can move your troops and reinforcements safely to the front without dealing with the enemy.
-As tedious as it may seem, you must try flanking your troops around the enemy. Full, frontal assaults are generally pointless. I suggest giving your enemy a visible target (something weak, like replacement infantry) at a safe distance. This keeps the enemy busy while you sneak your elite troops around the side. Also, use a recon unit to scout the area ahead of your flankers.
-Play as the Germans. They have a simpler strategy because they usually need only to hold their ground. It also allows you to see how the Allies go about attacking. Learn from the computer's victories and mistakes.
For more on this game, check out our Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far Resource Center.
If you like this type of game, you might want to check out Dark Reign or Total Annihilation.

Hugh Falk believes that all video games are really tests in which the best players will one day be swept up by aliens to fight for the freedom of the universe. He has dedicated his life to critiquing and hopefully improving games for the sake of Earth and the universe. Agree or disagree with the review? Let us know.

Facts

Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far
Microsoft
Price: $50.00
PowerMac, 16MB RAM, 45MB disk space, 4X CD-ROM, System 7.5 or later
Pentium-90, 16MB RAM, 45MB disk space, SVGA, 4X CD-ROM, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0; Sound Blaster or compatible sound card

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