This is the first episode in a real-time, 3D war series produced by the maker of the famous Close Combat. The new game uses many of the elements of this living legend, beginning with the operations of an American infantry division in Normandy. G.I. Combat is easy to pick up and play; fans of the genre will enjoy it, but it should also please learner tacticians who will not be too fussy about the quality of the graphics, which are not, in many respects, up the standards of current 3D games.

Publisher: Strategy First

Platform: PC
Number of players: 1 or 2
Mark: 7/10

Battling In Normandy

G.I. Combat is apparently the first episode in a series of real-time, 3D tactical strategy games. It is quite obviously a near cousin of Close Combat, published by Microsoft in 1996. Its principle is fairly straightforward and involves commanding a handful of American or German units in Normandy. Depending on your scenario, you might have infantry platoons, support groups, or, occasionally, tanks. Your aim is to take and/ or defend the zones marked with a flag on the game map while trying to lose as few men as possible.

The rounds are limited in time and are played alone or in pairs on a network or the Internet. The game is highly realistic and each mission is based on an actual historic operation. G.I. Combat has more than 60 units and 40 different types of vehicle. One of eight psychological models characterizes the combat behavior of each soldier you command; these range from rank cowardice to foolish bravery. The morale of each also varies according to the situation, so, for example, when you order a platoon to advance or retreat, you cannot be absolutely sure your order will be obeyed exactly as you intend, because the unit might be under enemy fire or have lost some of its men.

G.I. Combat is a sort of 3D Close Combat; each mission involves commanding a handful of infantry platoons, support groups and the occasional tank.