Close Combat: The Bloody First Critic Reviews

Right now it looks like an advanced beta but in a couple of months, reinforced by patches and mods, it could be a really good game.

While The Bloody First is a decent start to the new era of Close Combat, it still needs a bit of TLC, and we hope some dedicated post-release support and future DLC will iron out the game and make it a title worthy of the legacy.

There is a certain magic in a venerable series like Close Combat becoming wholly 3D, but the AI is as weak as it’s ever been. Well, at least it’s still intense, strategic fun.

The game makes a fairly decent fist of infantry combat, comes with some nicely crafted maps, and inherits CC’s natural elegance and approachability, but falls short in too many core areas to earn a positive review from someone who has Combat Mission, Graviteam Tactics, and Armored Brigade ready and waiting in his amusement arsenal.