Month: August 2007
Combat Mission: Shock Force — First Look
Battlefront released its new modern-era, tactical combat game Combat Mission: Shock Force. The game is the successor to the excellent Combat Mission World War Two titles. It improves upon those games in almost every way and if you have played any of the earlier titles you will feel right at home with CM:Shock Force. You will need to spend some time with the manual even if you are a veteran of the earlier titles because there are a number of new elements to the game that are not readily apparent.
The game includes a new real-time option as well as the traditional turn-based system. I still do not like the real-time option because no matter how good the AI is it still does dumb things. In addition, even with pause, you cannot be everywhere at once. This is not just an issue with command but simply in seeing the action unfold. With the turn-based system you can always see what happens. In real-time mode you often miss things while you are occupied elsewhere. Moreover, the highest realism setting, annoyingly, removes your ability to issue orders while the game is paused. Real-time does not equal more realistic for a tactical wargame.
Minor issues aside, if you like the subject matter you will enjoy the game and CM:SF does introduce some seldom seen concepts in wargaming such as unit specific spotting. Hopefully they will redo the WW2 titles with the new engine soon.
The Wargamer has a nice After Action Report and review of the game.
The v1.03 update is available.
Carriers at War — Review
Matrix Games released Carriers at War a few weeks ago. It is a very well done remake of the original. Overall the game will require you to spend a bit of time with the game manual to learn a number of the game mechanics but it will be time well rewarded. If you enjoy WW2 carrier warfare it is a must get game.
The Wargamer has a nice Carriers at War review so we will not bother doing one ourselves. One note, the author of the review, Bill Trotter, has a relationship with Matrix Games, but nonetheless we agree with what he says about the game.
Do not forget to get the v1.02 update.
Warhammer 40K — Apocalypse Update
A few weeks ago we announced the initial details on Games Workshop’s upcoming Warhammer 40K Apocalypse releases. Well full details are now available on the 2007 releases. In 2007 we will see the rulebook as well as supporting items such as the templates, a handful of new units such as the plastic Imperial Guard Baneblade and eight Laser Cannon-armed Terminus Pattern Land Raider, as well as a number of ‘splash’ only releases of large quantity unit-packs such as the Space Marine Suppression Force (two Whirlwinds and a Land Speeder), Emperor’s Fist Tank Company (ten Leman Russ tanks), and Tau Armored Interdiction Force (two Hammerheads and a Sky Ray) to name a few plus a handful of limited items such as the Big Gun Dice and Imperial Guard Backpack. There are also photos available of some of the rulebook pages.
Overall Apocalypse is looking to be a big release [pun intended] by Games Workshop and so far most of the items look good. Games Workshop is now accepting advanced orders on all of the Apocalypse items including the splash releases. If you want one of the splash items act quickly because they often sell out fast.
Games Workshop has Apocalypse details on their Website including an overview of the game as well as the new releases.
Also see our Apocalypse Update II.
[Updated: 28AUG07]
Aeronautica Imperialis — New Ork Releases
ForgeWorld just announced the release of the previously announced Ork Bomber. But they surprised us nonetheless! They did not release just one bomber but three different versions. There is a traditional bomber, an attack ship (Blasta Bomber 1), and a gunship (Blasta Bomber 2). The bombers seem to include a number of different build options including an open cockpit and gunners. And if all of that was not enough FW also released an Ork Bombs and Rokkits weapons pack. It is certainly a good day for Ork flyers.
The View from the Turret 
