Combat Mission: Fortress Italy - Now Available on Steam! Any Good in 2023?

Luke dives into the Steam release of Combat Mission: Fortress Italy to see how it holds up in 2023 and if the Combat Mission series is worth your money.
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[@Boomer04888]

It's a shame this studio doesn't have the manpower and developmental scope to really turn this series into what could potentially be so much more.. Graviteam comes to mind, but it has a lot of similar short-comings. If the animations were touched up, the UI rearranged a bit, the engine optimized, and the learning curve given some love, I feel like it could sell to a massive audience.

[@Angry-Lynx]

Funny nobody said that about steel rain even though its one man project

[@stephanelab3249]

Following Gramont since 2000... At a certain point, after a certain time It's no mere a question of manpower but will. Sad

[@overwatch1828]

This kind of game isn't for everyone... For those of us who do play it and enjoy having so much control over every detail we love it.

[@xzxxx-km4vy]

They do, but when you're dealing with a group of old farts that don't know any better then there isn't much hope. They should pass on their project to younger people. Their time is up. Hopefully Armored Brigade 2 will bring those scamming overpriced cucks out of business

[@xzxxx-km4vy]

@@overwatch1828 Man shut up. Waste 5 seconds thinking before you type.

[@WilliamBrothers]

Completely agree with this review. I actually have a love hate relationship with the game, but more so with the developers. I've bought every game and even remember the old CMx1 engine with Combat Mission Beyond Overlord.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Much appreciated! 🚀🥳

[@markc8401]

I used to love this game, but as time went on, the glaring errors and glitches were never addressed and fixed. Oh sure, the many fanboys in the forums on the Battlefront site would rally around and try to protect the game from realistic scrutiny, but its flaws shone through and they did not age well at all. Those who played the game will remember these frustrating issues: 1. remember spending a ton of time planning and siting a defence? Your MGs were well sited with your AT guns. And then as soon as the start button was pushed and the first turn was initiated, inexplicably most guns would suddenly lose all line of sight. Useless. 2. remember when the original set of games (CMBO) had multiplayer campaigns? And then battlefront took a step backward in time when CMBN was released and campaigns could only be played solo. 3. how about the poor halftrack gunners and the squad inside who had less protection than a jeep and who were routinely shot in the head, even though their heads were tiny targets, peeking out from the hatch AND in a moving vehicle? 4. and don't get me started on those faulty bridges where your vehicles suffered a glitch and couldn't exit off the bridge..... 5. and how about trying to move your vehicles in a column...always running into each other and then spinning in circles, like 9 year olds trying to drive dad's car AND oh so many more......a glitchy mess of a game that the devs refused to fix...and now it has aged well past its time. It needs a massive overhaul if the original players of this game (like me) would ever return. And at least with the original CD releases of the games, Mac players could play. Now they have even isolated that fan base...rant over.

[@DeimosPC]

I've been looking for game like this for years.. I just wish the engine and graphics were better.

[@gottagainzlmao8940]

I think the graphics themselves look kinda nice, reminds me of COD 1. The only thing I dislike are the animations(or lack there of, in some cases).

[@trax1794]

Really love the Combat Mission series!! Nice one Luke!

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Appreciated!

[@thomaspickard4138]

Great in depth review u helped me make my decision this is the one I’m going for. I have shock force 2 but need the ww2 games too. Only thing that’s stopped me so far like u mention is the high price tags! But now the finally on a pretty good sale so gonna pick one up. Thanks 👌👍

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Enjoy it and thank you for the feedback!

[@mysticmerlin1297]

Like you showcase why this is your fav, good video.

[@Caucasian60]

Now that Battlefront has a new owner, let’s pray this series can have a budget that really takes it to a new level. Better graphics, animations, UI. Don’t dumb it down but make it look pretty and add some new features. This series definitely has a potential to reach a huge audience.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Totally agree!

[@TheNordicVoyager]

They tripled the dev team and switched over to the Unity engine, so the future is bright! But it will take a while, so don't hold your breath!

[@simmybear31]

Played them since the very first Combat Mission game came out. Brilliant as always, not the glossiest graphics, not heartstopping run and gun but GREAT solid simulation of weapons and tactical choices - long may they continue!

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Agree with you! 🚀

[@JuergenGDB]

There are plenty of mods now that cover terrain, buildings etc. And they are all bloody free from peeps that love this game and series. I have made 3 scenarios for the Italian series. I just love using the editor.

[@ctbaw9484]

IDK, I ran a night patrol/recon last night that was heart-stopping enough. Old graphics and all.

[@macrosss]

Looks like the game runs fine for you. Why i cannot play with more that 15fps?! Really trying to get into CM but ive tryed a lot of stuff to make it smother and i cannot go more than 20fps with an 5700xt

[@bowenc24]

Thinking about getting this on sale, between this and Black Sea. The price for these games is pretty steep though, even on sale. Feel like they can get away with it because, like you said, they are really the only ones who have this type of game on the market. Plus, I’d imagine the audience for this type of game has a much higher average age the other game populations. Meaning, they know their audience is probably further along in their careers, thus having more income to spend and they’re capitalizing on that.

[@hammerlee879]

I think high price and low graphic performance has somehow became a political correct in wargame: "As we watgames features simulation and reality, why don't you guys just tolerate all these shortcomings and take me your money", not to mention it is a niche market.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Extremely niche! Just something we have to call it. It is a very good game overall 🚀

[@HolgerHendel]

All of the CM-series - just brilliant games.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Glad you enjoy them also 🚀

[@lphoenix1091]

I think this is the best of the Combat Mission games based on WW2. Good overall synopsis!

[@LTGamingYoutube]

I feel it offers the best package overall :)

[@xzxxx-km4vy]

Who tf is interested in boring Italians though? This is ass.

[@guyrose2239]

Another spot on review, chap…. Rilly appreciated…now…. Where’s that co op? 🐸🐌❤️🇮🇹🍕

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Tom and Me need to sort that out ;)

[@guyrose2239]

@@LTGamingKZbin let’s crack on then 🐸🤗

[@buchan448]

good review saw your thing on steam and link for this I've got shock force 2 and Cold War might get some of the ww2 ones have subbed and pressed the bell hello from Scotland

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@overwatch1828]

There is nothing sub par about the battle simulator they offer and the amount of control and options you have over your force... I have zero issues with the graphics....

[@jarinumar1818]

Is there a Good german linked campaign included?

[@malak299]

Slitherine is bublisher not developer.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

ah the bublisher! haha yes i know :)

[@GoldenFlare26]

Tbh i would buy this if it goes on sale

[@JuergenGDB]

Honestly, if you can't afford 60.00 for a game, you really can't afford any game. The price for the entire series at 116.00 dollars is cheap, not just for all the Campaigns and a ton load of scenarios but for the replayability, a realistic and great editor, and all the free downloads people have made you could be enjoying.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Do ya think it's worth getting Gustav and Rome?

[@LTGamingYoutube]

The Gustav Line for me would be as I like playing as the British and Commonwealth forces. Adds a really unique and under represented flavour for me to play battles with New Zealand troops also. Then again Rome has some really unique forces such as the Brazilians and Free French. Its down to budget but these titles are almost hobbies rather than games 😀

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@LTGamingKZbin Thanks LT I purchased Gustav for now, really like it.

[@JuergenGDB]

@@WysteriaGuitar You should really pick up "Rome to Victory" as well. Some were really challenging and takes place after the Allies have Rome. You get a ton of Commonwealth forces, Luftwaffe Field TOE, and Waffen SS. It has two more campaigns and 15 more scenarios. GhostRider3/3 from BF forums.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@JuergenGDB Thanks for tip. Waiting to see if it goes on sale. Any thoughts on Red Thunder? That's the only one I do not have yet.

[@dienkhungtung]

haven't got it yet, but the reason why I'm interested in it because not many games do about Italian Front

[@JuergenGDB]

The Italian series is probably the most challenging as both sides are using vehicles from late 43 to early 44. Some really good scenarios, and campaigns. Not to mention all the ones you can download for free.

[@VampiroGaming]

Thanks for the good coverage!

[@rikhenry9701]

Slitherine doesn't seem to like to shell out for their graphics in their games but you're right, the gameplay is almost always very very good.

[@sakarisaikku6218]

OK, the graphics is old, but so what!!! CM series is really awesome. I played this game with a pc with far less performance years ago, and now can play battles with multiple battalions and huge artillery and the game doesn't crash or become very slow. Yes, the actual code itself of this old game makes it far slower than actually modern computers and crunch, but still it's an improvement! Combat Mission shows that games froms years ago can still kick it and be really fun! Yeah, the price sucks. But they know that there simply are people that want to play Combat Mission...

[@luisromero6434]

It's about not being conformist, it's about demanding quality considering the price. Yeah, gameplay might be as good as you want, but a good technical design and graphics are important aswell. They have zero reason to improve because people just buy the games despite some mediocre aspects

[@Cplblue]

I love the CM series. Graphics aren't great, but good enough to sate my immersion. Also a plus is the Steam Deck can run it with the latest proton version so you can run it on the go (and performance is actually really good!).

[@LTGamingYoutube]

I didn't know this actually and might have one on my trip next week 🚀

[@Cplblue]

@@LTGamingKZbin oh nice! Yeah, you run the latest proton and I just use the touchpads and triggers. It loads fast and runs perfectly fine! Just got my steam key for FI on the Slitherine website after seeing this (didn't realized it dropped on Steam). Gonna play it now in bed lol

[@chrisdude2675]

the graphics are great.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Cant tell if this is sarcasm or not! 😂

[@atlasshocked1538]

Regarding comment on high price - to me very understandable...small studio, niche product. And these days go get coffee, bakery, fill your tank and you're at $100. And I love the old school graphics for clarity. This is a forest, this is a field, these are hills. The forest ends here, the field starts here. Instant and intuitive. I get frustrated with new generation games filled with so much eye candy I have to mouse over every inch to tell what it is.

[@whatthefluff5791]

Even I play in real time 🤣... was it really suppose to be turn based ?

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Combat Mission games are played traditionally with a WEGO turn based format.

[@JuergenGDB]

Yes traditionally WEGO is the way to go. The reason is that depending on the mission, although you can pause the game it is difficult for the player to issue commands to all your units as the player usually gets tunnel vision and makes many mistakes. The game is not a RTS, but a tactical simulation wargame. GhostRider3/3 from the forums. Good luck and don't forget to duck.

[@TheAnigai]

Demonstrate the things you're saying and let people judge for themselves, don't just spout opinions off your script.

[@LTGamingYoutube]

Haha silly comment of the week 😜Game reviews are about opinion.