Publisher: CDV Software Entertainment
Developer: Battlefront.com
Category: Strategy
Release Dates
Intl - 11/28/2003
N Amer - 12/03/2003
Combat Mission 3: Afrika Korps Review
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With the holidays in full swing, I have been up to
my ears in games. The games I get for review, and the games I got for
Christmas. And one of the titles I received recently was a little known game
(at least to me) called Combat Mission Afrika Korps (CMAK). Being that I
haven't played a strategy game in a while I decided to give it a go. So with
an elevated interest I popped it into my PC, loaded it up and had a coke and a
smile.
The first thing I will say is that I had no idea
what I was in for. The game has very little in terms of in-game instruction
and I later found out that this title is one in a series of "Combat Mission"
games. Bully for me, I didn't know what the devil I was doing. So with a
stalwart grin I kept going and did the unthinkable; I opened the manual
and began to read! Not surprisingly, the manual was chock full of good
information on how to play.
So when I finally did play, I discovered that this
title has a lot to offer. CMAK is a highly detailed game. Players must
complete combat scenarios around the Mediterranean starting in Northern
Africa, then jumping across the pond to do battle in Europe. The game is turn
based combat that is almost a throw back in terms of other games. Relying
heavily on an almost chess-like mentality, I found that this game was not to
be taken lightly as it is quite difficult and not at all short. Learning to
effectively negotiate your soldiers and vehicles while launching salvos is not
something that can be quickly mastered.
The game has several modes in which to play. A
single player game is obviously just that; you play out the various missions
against the computer. The two player game is done by two people sharing the
computer taking turns trying to out-think your opponent in an almost "board
game" type of play. I thought this was quite slick as I had a buddy over and
we played against one another while shooting darts. Surprisingly, there is a
way to play this game via email with someone, as each person takes their turn
and emails the other. I don't know anyone who has this game yet, but I
believe it would be enjoyable to try. Lastly, there is the online multiplayer
mode which I will only go as far enough to say... no thanks. I really don't
feel like getting pummeled by a 12 year old military prodigy. My advice for
those who enjoy strategy games would be to practice, practice alot if you plan
to play online. And oh yeah, good luck.
Since I just got a new graphics card for
Christmas, I was stoked to see how well it could pump out this games
graphics. Unfortunately, CMAK's selling point is not its graphics. I found
them to be just adequate. The landscape is fairly boring even though it has
textures and creative landscaping. At the start of each mission, you can take
an aerial look around the map, and sure you will see items and strategic
points of interest, but you will also see that ether world that lives in
games, that area that nothing exists in, nor can get to. It would have been
better to just have the landscape go on forever, but have a colored line
representing the game's boundaries.
The game is truly epic in its design and
implementation. The battles can go on for quite a while and the options for
play are varying. I enjoyed this title and have every intention of purchasing
it for my father so we can go at it over the net 700 miles apart. He told me
the other day that I needed to find an online game that we could get so we
could play together. I just found it.
Gameplay: 8.0
Lots of hot keys, better have that reference guide
handy for those military maneuvers. This game requires the whole keyboard.
Graphics: 6.8
I'm running a 256 MB graphics card, you need a
32 MB to play the game. Flat, kinda disappointing graphics that should have
had more eye candy. As the missions go on, the levels do improve visually,
but this is one of those kinds of games that don't necessarily need awesome
graphics.
Sound: 7.7
The report of heavy artillery in the distance.
The huge bass of a 3 inch mortar gun firing. The grumble of engines moving 10
ton tanks. The game makes good use of the sound effects.
Difficulty: Hard
It might not be hard for a veteran strategy game
player, but the sheer amount of controls combined with the pressure of playing
out a World War II version of Risk, made for a challenging game
experience.
Concept: 7.0
Strategy games are a solid genre and have quite a
devoted following. The games adds an incredible amount of realism and remains
faithful to the era's weaponry.
Overall: 7.6
I was pleased with this title, it doesn't offer up
phenomenal graphics, but it does offer up fun. And at the end of the day,
that's why we all play games.