Combat Mission: Shock Force review

Uncle Sam's back to shock the Kasbah

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Emphasis in real-time combat

  • +

    Great engine for gameplay

  • +

    War realism for the red states

Cons

  • -

    Incredibly frustrating gameplay

  • -

    Awful interface

  • -

    Where are the helicopters?

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Aug 24, 2007

In a game that feels like it was commissioned by George W. Bush, Combat Mission: Shock Force simulates a near-future US invasion of Syria. The good news is if you've got a boner for realism, Shock Force - the fourth title in the Combat Mission series - still delivers the goods in spades, with an improved engine and a new emphasis to real-time rather than turn-based action.

The whole US vs. Syria doesn't help either, giving you the feeling of taking part in Donald Rumsfeld's wet dream, not to mention the repetitive scenery, lack of unit diversity and the almost complete absence of helicopters (and this is meant to be realistic?).

More info

GenreStrategy
DescriptionWhile the realism is taken to a crazy level, the lack of any tutorial or tool tips, combined with unnecessarily convoluted hotkeys, makes learning the game a chore.
PlatformPC
US censor ratingTeen
Release date22 August 2007 (US), 22 August 2007 (UK)
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