Close Combat Remakes - Opinions Wanted

[Knavery]

Hey guys,
I posted this over at the Wargamer, but I'd like opinions from you guys as well.

I've seriously been thinking about pulling the trigger on BfTB, but still not sure if I'll enjoy it for what the price is currently set at. So, I was looking at their products page and noticed the CC remakes. I loved the system that was used in the campaigns where you could utilize points to purchase and deploy different units. That really made the game for me and I miss that.

I played a bit of CC3 and CC5 when those were originally released. What I'd like to know is are the remakes really worth 40 bucks for the download? I've read that the AI is not all that great, and the graphics are not updated (although they don't look that bad). How does the game look at say 1680x1050? Does it improve the graphics at all being at higher resolutions? And how is the AI? Is it as bad as I've read?

Basically, how does it stack up to the originals? If it's greatly improved, I could see a purchase, but if they just added some maps and made it compatible with more recent OS's, I'll probably pass.

Oh, and one last question. Which is the best remake of the series? Thanks in advance!

[jomni]

My biggest gripe about CC4 and CC5 is the Battle Group / Force Pool system.  For me it takes away the callenge when playing a campaign against AI as I can just pick the best of the best and preserve them as best as I can.  CC2 and CC3 has a more challenging (but unrealistic) purchase point system where you have to really pay to get and replenish the expensive troops. But there's a mod that locks the Battle Groups from user selection. This makes the game challenging.

My 2nd gripe about CC4 and CC5 is the "Crawl of Death" that the AI is doing.  But according to Matrix this problem has already been addressed by the remakes.  With a better AI (but still not so great), the force pool system might be challenging already. 

Oh by the way CC: The Longest Day campaign map is totally different from CC5. So it provides a somewhat different experience.

I think you should get the latest release (Longest Day) as it has the most improvements. Then load up an Arnhem and Battle of the Buldge mod for variety.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: Knavery

Hey guys,
I posted this over at the Wargamer, but I'd like opinions from you guys as well.

I've seriously been thinking about pulling the trigger on BfTB, but still not sure if I'll enjoy it for what the price is currently set at. So, I was looking at their products page and noticed the CC remakes. I loved the system that was used in the campaigns where you could utilize points to purchase and deploy different units. That really made the game for me and I miss that.

I played a bit of CC3 and CC5 when those were originally released. What I'd like to know is are the remakes really worth 40 bucks for the download? I've read that the AI is not all that great, and the graphics are not updated (although they don't look that bad). How does the game look at say 1680x1050? Does it improve the graphics at all being at higher resolutions? And how is the AI? Is it as bad as I've read?

Basically, how does it stack up to the originals? If it's greatly improved, I could see a purchase, but if they just added some maps and made it compatible with more recent OS's, I'll probably pass.

Oh, and one last question. Which is the best remake of the series? Thanks in advance!

This is hard Knavery, particularly for someone that's a fan of the series. But, trying to run CC titles that were released in the days of Win95/98/98SE/ME is a total pain in the bottom. What the new-releases of the old games succeed at is allowing them to be played in the environment of an up-to-date operating system. Virtually any contemporary machine that you might try to play the original games on is EXPONENTIALLY more powerful than the target systems that the games were designed for. Because of that, all kinds of goofy stuff will occur, most notably, a totally out-of-control mouse cursor. I'd also note that the the updates have included improved multiplayer support. I TRULY do wish that the developers involved had started out this effort to reintroduce CC to the world with CC2. IMHO, it was clearly best in breed solely by virtue of its very compelling campaign.

My two cents,

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[jomni]

Ironically among the old CC games... CC2 is probably the most compatible to modern machines / OS.  I still play it without any problems in Vista. No install issues. So a remake is not really required.
Yes CC2 has the best campaign system.   But it looks like that the remake will use CC5 campaign mechanics.  A turn for the worse? I hope Matrix proves me wrong.

[Hertston]

My opinion (based on Cross of Iron and 'Modern' only - I'd had enough after that) is ... get BftB. If you liked CC enough to tip the balance that way, you would already own all of them. The facelifts can't hide the fact CC is at heart wargaming state-of-the-art 1997. BftB is wargaming state-of-the-art 2010.

[Andrew Williams]

I can only disagree.. you are comparing apples with oranges.

BftB isn't wargaming , it's pushing a bunch of tokens around a screen..   [:'(]

[jomni]

Can't compare as the scale and play styles are different.  The original poster is used to CC so he is more sure about what to expect from these titles.

[JudgeDredd]

CC The Longest Day is a great game and woth the money imo. However, I couldn't possibly recommend it over BftB because I do not have BftB. All I can say is (as objectively as possible) I know CC5 is worth the price tag.

[Perturabo]

ORIGINAL: Knavery

Basically, how does it stack up to the originals? If it's greatly improved, I could see a purchase, but if they just added some maps and made it compatible with more recent OS's, I'll probably pass.

Check out Close Combat Series forums, there's a plenty of info about the remakes.

Generally, it's the latter. The latest remake has some new stuff like night-fighting, though.

[Anonymous]

[Deleted by Admins]

[PunkReaper]

Good grief [8|]

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Knavery, et. al.,

Based on your description of your interests, I think the CC game that would interest you most is The Longest Day (or the upcoming Last Stand Arnhem). The Longest Day is a great deal better than the original CCV IMHO and has a much better campaign. These are very different games though due to the scale (tactical for CC vs. operational for BFTB). Both BFTB and the CC games are outstanding simulations of their scale, I don't think you can go wrong with either decision.

Regards,

- Erik

[JudgeDredd]

PR I wasn't suggesting BftB isn't worth the money. Far from it. I was just informing the poster I have not got it so have no idea if it is or isn't....I wasn't attempting to start another price flamewar thread. I've moved on...way on. - just in case your post was regarding mine [:)]

[PunkReaper]

Judge, a spambot post was just above mine.... it has been removed leaving my post looking a bit random..... Wasn't making any comment on anyone's opinion... [8D]

[JudgeDredd]

lol - that's the second time I know of that a "misunderstanding" has occured because a spambots post was removed! [:D] np - just wanted to be clear just in case [:)]

[wodin]

I've just looked at the newsletter iand it looks like a CC5 mod rather than the old CC2 game with new additions...the reason many feel that CC2 was the pinacle of the series was becasue of its campaign system...it looks like this has gone...shame...

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: wodin

I've just looked at the newsletter iand it looks like a CC5 mod rather than the old CC2 game with new additions...the reason many feel that CC2 was the pinacle of the series was becasue of its campaign system...it looks like this has gone...shame...

I didn't realize that; I spoke too soon. [:(]

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Williams

BftB isn't wargaming , it's pushing a bunch of tokens around a screen..   [:'(]

Pushing tokens around IS wargaming. [8D]

[MajFrankBurns]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Williams

I can only disagree.. you are comparing apples with oranges.

BftB isn't wargaming , it's pushing a bunch of tokens around a screen..   [:'(]

I agree except you don't really even get to push the tokens the computer does that. But, you do get to sit there and watch all that action while eating popcorn and drinking it up. [:-]

[wodin]

Major you really hate that game don't you??[;)]

You are wrong of course...I own the previous three and there is far more to it than watching the AI do everything for you.