Why the Old War Horse Still Runs: The Enduring Appeal of Classic Combat Mission Games

For serious wargamers, the name "Combat Mission" conjures images of intense tactical battles, meticulous planning, and the unique "WEGO" system that sets it apart. While the modern CMx2 engine games like Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy and Combat Mission: Red Thunder offer stunning realism and refined interfaces, there's still value in the older, original CMx1 titles: Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord, Barbarossa to Berlin, and Afrika Korps.

So, for the uninitiated or those who've only experienced the newer iterations, what's the enduring appeal of these classic war horses? Why would you fire up games that, graphically speaking, belong to a different era? The answer lies in a blend of design philosophy, content generosity, and a distinct aesthetic.

1. The All-Encompassing Campaigns: A Content Behemoth

One of the most immediate draws of the classic Combat Mission games is their sheer volume of content. Take Barbarossa to Berlin, for instance. This single title comprehensively covers the entire Eastern Front, from the desperate early days of Operation Barbarossa in 1941 right through to the fall of Berlin in 1945. Similarly, Afrika Korps doesn't just focus on the desert; it spans battles from Crete to Italy, offering a vast array of scenarios and units across multiple theaters.

Compare this to the modern CMx2 titles, which, while incredibly detailed for their specific focus, often rely on numerous, sometimes costly, DLC packages to expand their unit rosters and geographical scope. The older games feel like complete, self-contained historical libraries right out of the box, brimming with scenarios and campaigns to explore. For a wargamer seeking maximum historical breadth without a piecemeal approach, the classics are gold.

2. The "Board Game" Come to Life: Aesthetic & Clarity

Let's be honest: the graphics in the CMx1 games are simpler. Much simpler. Units are represented by a handful of distinct, slightly oversized figures rather than the hyper-realistic, fully animated models of today's engines. Yet, for many, this isn't a drawback; it's a feature.

This simpler visual style evokes the feel of a traditional miniatures or hex-and-counter board wargame. The clear, uncluttered battlefield makes unit identification effortless. There's an immediate readability to the action that some players find less distracting than the sometimes-too-granular detail of newer titles. It's a pragmatic, functional aesthetic that prioritizes tactical clarity over photorealism, appealing to the wargamer who appreciates the strategic overview.

3. Different Strokes for Simulation Folks: Abstraction & AI

While both CMx1 and CMx2 engines are renowned for their meticulous simulation, they approach certain abstractions differently. In the older games, an infantry squad might be represented by just three distinct figures, yet the underlying simulation still accurately models morale, suppression, and individual casualties within that unit. This level of visual abstraction, coupled with deep underlying mechanics, resonated with many.

Furthermore, some long-time players argue that the AI in the older games, particularly in quick battles, could feel more dynamic and less predictable because it operated on a simpler set of objective flags rather than potentially complex, scripted paths. While the newer AI is more sophisticated, the old AI often presented a different kind of challenge that is still appreciated.

4. An Accessible Entry Point

Given their age, the original Combat Mission titles are typically available for a fraction of the cost of their modern counterparts (often found on digital storefronts like GOG.com and Steam). For newcomers curious about the unparalleled tactical depth of the Combat Mission series, these older titles offer an incredibly affordable entry point. It's a low-risk investment for a high-reward historical simulation experience.

5. The Unchanging Heart: WEGO Wargaming

Perhaps the most significant commonality, and a testament to the series' enduring appeal, is the "WEGO" (simultaneous turn-based) system. Players issue orders, and then a minute of intense combat unfolds. Both old and new engines utilize this groundbreaking system, forcing players to anticipate, plan, and react to an uncertain battlefield. While modern CM offers a real-time option, for many serious wargamers, the WEGO system is the heart and soul of Combat Mission, and it's perfectly encapsulated in the original games.

Conclusion

While the allure of cutting-edge graphics and refined mechanics in the modern Combat Mission games is undeniable, the older CMx1 titles are far from obsolete. They offer a rich, expansive, and aesthetically distinct wargaming experience that continues to captivate players. For the hardcore tactical simulator, diving back into Barbarossa to Berlin or Afrika Korps isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's an opportunity to appreciate a different, yet equally valid, philosophy of historical wargame design—one where the old war horse still has plenty of fight left.

Cheers

Note added in proof. The GOG version of Overlord has mods that can be optionally installed. The GOG version has some issue with the accessory file used to set up monitor resolution (the game runs fine, but not all the screen is used). The Steam version offers full modern monitor support but no mods are included in the downloaded files.