Close Combat 4: Battle of the Bulge

*****

PC

SSI/Atomic Games

$99.95, G

Review: Peter Eley

The first Close Combat was one of those games that stretched the horizon of computer gaming with its historical realism and focus on human emotions, such as fear and morale.

Microsoft spent big dollars on promotion, and the game built up a loyal following of mainly adult players, spawning two sequels.

Now developer Atomic Games has teamed up with war-game specialist SSI and the result is the best Close Combat game yet.

The gameplay isn't that different from the first three, but it's much better looking and has more tactical depth.

The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler's last gamble at defeating the Allies in the European theatre by concentrating his forces on the Ardennes Forest in Belgium.

As we know, he lost but it was one of the most bitter and bloody clashes of the war.

You don't get the big picture in any of the Close Combat games. Missions are fought at squad level and you interact with your men on a personal level.

Push them too hard, or make expensive mistakes which cost lives, and they will eventually refuse to obey you.

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