Close Combat V: Invasion Normandy

Mattel Interactive £29.99 PC CD-ROM Out Now

System requirements
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME
Pentium 200 or better
32MB of RAM
4MB graphics/video card

The appeal of most RTS games is that they are relatively easy to get into, fun to play and require quite a bit of skill to master. The Command & Conquer games and their various clones have stuck quite rigidly to this formula and acheived various degrees of success. However, one RTS that has always stuck out as something a lot more realistic is the Close Combat series. The 'heavy' realism that usually is reserved for turn based wargames is all here in real-time. Men get tired, hurt and scared and it all adds to the difficulty of an already difficult game. If you have Close Combat 4 you won't notice a great deal of difference in this game apart from the locations in which this game is set.

Click on the pictures for a full size screenshot.

the debrief a summary of your starting forces in game the scenario editor

the main menu the multiplayer setup screen the 'Boot Camp' an example of the clear dialogue boxes

The graphics are adequate (if too small at 1024x768 the default resolution) but this does afford you a better view of your surroundings. My main gripe with this game is that the gulf between the 'Boot Camp' (the training mode) and the scenarios or campaigns, is huge and you will find yourself struggling for quite a while. This level of difficulty is OK if you are prepared to put the effort in but the casual gamer will become disinterested very quickly and will have wished for an easier environment to shoe-horn them into this high level of strategy. The game comes with a scenario editor which is always welcome for replayability and the manual does a good job of explaining how to use it.

The game is OK for the deaf gamer. Textual feedback is good and the general interface is fairly straight forward. The manual is useful for the deaf gamer as well as the in game 'Boot Camp' which provides text dialogue boxes to guide you through step by step. Overall the game is very good but be warned this is not a casual RTS affair, it is for people who want raw realism with all its difficulties and as long as you are prepared for it the game will not disappoint.

Overall Game Rating: 7.25/10

Quality of text: 8/10 Very good. Dialogue boxes instruct you in the 'Boot Camp'. The font used is easy to read and the text in general does not get in the way of gameplay.

Graphics: 6/10 While not the best, the graphics are adequate.

Interface: 7/10 The interface, whilst not inspiring, is useful and does not hamper gameplay.

Gameplay: 8/10 Very difficult, very serious and very good sum this game up. Be warned though you need to be as keen as mustard to get the most enjoyment out of this game. I would suggest you try a demo before you buy.