Overall, I think TBF is good. Played nonstop since I bought CC1's release way back when you bought your games at a brick n mortar computer store [:'(] 3d has been a long time coming, and I can only imagine the last 10 ish years of developing on one engine, only to realize you had to build another just to make this work, and having the fortitude to stick with it. I applaud the dedication. I hope this game is a commercial success for the team and it leads to future versions and more development. If TBF is to 3d CC as CC1 was to the 2d series, then we are in store for a treat for many more years to come.
Praises...
1. I like the new force pool format, makes limiting casualties more important.
2. I like that infantry when very close can have a chance (low) vs armor, they can damage the tank or immobilize the crew and occasionally destroy it.
3. for a first time 3d, nice to have multiple theaters and varied terrain.
4. the los sight tool is very good, person who thought of that one deserves a medal.
5. I like how you can take your 'slotted' teams and create smaller teams that don't take up a slot. allows some interesting setups and I don't have to waste a full slot to get a bazooka, sniper our 3 man assault.
6. Good scaling of men to buildings, I like troops now actually have to use windows n doors
7. Obviously, the 3d environment really improves the main issue with 2d and line of sight problems. (I see u, u see me aspect and the shooting through hills bugs)
8. Tank vs Tank feels good, I like there isn't one shot one kill to the tank fight, this is good and I like they have to trade shots.
Gripes...
1. Where are the 2 story buildings?
2. Graphics are ok not terrible and 3d tank rendering is not bad, but a bit cartoonish everywhere else on zoom out, and they lack details as 2d did...forgivable for having to make a new engine...hopefully future versions give more time to spruce up some things.
3. Only 2 angles on 3d? be nice to get a ground level view from a unit.
4. Game crashes too often, I have multiple modern systems, tried them all and they all crash. I'm allowing some leeway. We are on version 1.0 of a new engine built from scratch. Its understandable. I will sit on full on complaining until a few patches come out.
5. No custom operation in Editor. That is the best way to play Close combat with a few maps to go back n forth on. Especially Multiplayer.
6. Maps are a bit small, wish they had more space to maneuver.
7. I know CC has the 'mental' aspect of combat, but the men panic, break, and run too quickly. Dudes need to have a little more virtual fortitude. They don't need to all be fearless and never break under stress, but I see men more often break and run at the first shots. I stack up officers with them and it helps, but they need a bump in the values that make them withstand combat a bit more. I see them break and run doing normal not crazy tasks without casualties under good cover.
In the end, combat doesn't seem as refined as the 2d series. Granted, 2d vs 3d is going to feel that way, but I cant put my finger on what feels 'off' to me. However, in infantry level combat, while it still has the "Close Combat" feel to game play, the combat doesn't feel 'right' for a close combat game. (ya, it sounds weird, and why I have a hard time explaining it) Perhaps its number 7 under my gripes list. Its still fun, but compared to PITF or G2C battles in 2d, the fine control and fire and manuever seems to be missing. I hope as patches come out and refinements are made, the finer details of game play start to come back.