Combat Mission: Shock Force
Encyclopedia
Combat Mission: Shock Force is a computer video game in the Combat Mission series of games that covers a fictional United States
invasion of a Middle Eastern country, focusing on US Stryker
brigades. It was released on July 27, 2007, marking the debut of the CMX2 game engine, the second generation of Combat Mission games.
's Combat Mission series using the new CMX2 game engine. Shock Force features improved graphics and 3D modelling. Modelling of infantry features a 1:1 representation, where every single soldier is depicted in the 3D world by its own animated graphic. The new engine also features real world lighting conditions, and models sun and star positions in the sky. The engine allows the game to be played in real time in addition to the established 60-second incremental format.
Each scenario in the game contains forces drawn from either the US or Syrian Regular Army units utilizing Soviet-bloc
equipment such as AK-47
assault rifles and T-72
tanks, with "blue vs. blue" and "red vs. red" scenarios also possible. "Insurgent" units are available as a sub-selection, representing guerrilla forces drawn from the Syrian population.
Game content included a campaign of several linked scenarios, pre-made scenarios ("battles"), and maps for the "Quick Battle" system which permitted random play in one or two player mode. The game shipped with a fully operational map and scenario editor as well as a campaign creation tool.
and Tom Chick
, who rated the game at less than 50%. Gamespot
's review of 4.5 (out of 10) started with the tag line "Combat Mission says good-bye to WWII, but hello to an inept interface, broken AI, and hideous visuals." IGN
reviewed Shock Force and noted that "the poor interface design and lack of a flexible or responsive AI makes it difficult to appreciate." A review of the expansion module noted that even after ten patches, the game "still manages to present some substantial obstacles to enjoyment, even for the most ardent Combat Mission fans."
GamingShogun reviewed a later version of the game after several patches and stated it was "one of the most fun battle simulations" they have ever played, rating it an 8.4/10. The critic score at Gamespot in July 2010 was a 6.7, averaged from 13 other reviewers.
and Syrian Airborne troops, as well as regular Syrian units such as the T-90
tank.
IGN rated Marines a 6.5 out of 10 and declared it "slightly improved."
to the Syrian battlefield. This new module introduces units, vehicles and weapons currently in service with the British
military, such as the Challenger 2 tank and Warrior IFV, and also includes the US IBCT. There is a new campaign from the British perspective, and new standalone scenarios. There are minor changes to the Syrian side, and the expansion patches the base game to version 1.20.
forces, specifically the German
, Canadian
and Dutch
armies.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
invasion of a Middle Eastern country, focusing on US Stryker
Stryker
The IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive , armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor:...
brigades. It was released on July 27, 2007, marking the debut of the CMX2 game engine, the second generation of Combat Mission games.
Overview
Shock Force depicts fictional battles in the year 2008 between the Syrian Army and US Stryker Brigades. This is the original incarnation of Battlefront.comBattlefront.com
Battlefront.com is a video game developer and publisher. Battlefront specialises in war-related games, including turn-based and real-time strategies, as well as simulations of air, land and naval military vehicles....
's Combat Mission series using the new CMX2 game engine. Shock Force features improved graphics and 3D modelling. Modelling of infantry features a 1:1 representation, where every single soldier is depicted in the 3D world by its own animated graphic. The new engine also features real world lighting conditions, and models sun and star positions in the sky. The engine allows the game to be played in real time in addition to the established 60-second incremental format.
Each scenario in the game contains forces drawn from either the US or Syrian Regular Army units utilizing Soviet-bloc
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
equipment such as AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
assault rifles and T-72
T-72
The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
tanks, with "blue vs. blue" and "red vs. red" scenarios also possible. "Insurgent" units are available as a sub-selection, representing guerrilla forces drawn from the Syrian population.
Content
The game shipped in a jewel case with a DVD-ROM and a printed manual. "Special Edition" versions shipped with a printed full-color poster of Syria with unit dispositions of the fictional invasion from the "Task Force Thunder" campaign marked on it, as well as a custom printed mouse pad.Game content included a campaign of several linked scenarios, pre-made scenarios ("battles"), and maps for the "Quick Battle" system which permitted random play in one or two player mode. The game shipped with a fully operational map and scenario editor as well as a campaign creation tool.
Reception
Mainstream review sites and reviewers were generally critical, including PC GamerPC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
and Tom Chick
Tom Chick
Tom W. Chick is an American television and movie actor, and independent journalist. His most prominent TV roles were as Oscar's lover Gil in the US version of The Office, and the hard-hitting reporter Gordon in The West Wing. As a writer, Tom has contributed to many current and past video game...
, who rated the game at less than 50%. Gamespot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's review of 4.5 (out of 10) started with the tag line "Combat Mission says good-bye to WWII, but hello to an inept interface, broken AI, and hideous visuals." IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
reviewed Shock Force and noted that "the poor interface design and lack of a flexible or responsive AI makes it difficult to appreciate." A review of the expansion module noted that even after ten patches, the game "still manages to present some substantial obstacles to enjoyment, even for the most ardent Combat Mission fans."
GamingShogun reviewed a later version of the game after several patches and stated it was "one of the most fun battle simulations" they have ever played, rating it an 8.4/10. The critic score at Gamespot in July 2010 was a 6.7, averaged from 13 other reviewers.
Marines
An expansion, called Combat Mission: Shock Force - Marines was released on 26 September 2008 and marketed by direct sale through Battlefront's website, requiring Combat Mission: Shock Force to play. The module was sold by direct download, physical disc, or both, and included the latest patch for the Shock Force base game, which was also made available via free download to all non-Marines customers and works without the module for owners of the base game. Content of Marines include an increased number of units, 15 standalone scenarios, a 14-mission campaign, and 25 new Quick Battle maps. New units represent United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and Syrian Airborne troops, as well as regular Syrian units such as the T-90
T-90
The T-90 is a Russian third-generation main battle tank that is a modernisation of the T-72 . It is currently the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry...
tank.
IGN rated Marines a 6.5 out of 10 and declared it "slightly improved."
British Forces
A second expansion module was released in August 2009, bringing the British Armed ForcesBritish Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
to the Syrian battlefield. This new module introduces units, vehicles and weapons currently in service with the British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
military, such as the Challenger 2 tank and Warrior IFV, and also includes the US IBCT. There is a new campaign from the British perspective, and new standalone scenarios. There are minor changes to the Syrian side, and the expansion patches the base game to version 1.20.
NATO
A third expansion module for the game was announced on 13 May 2010. This module will feature NATO and CoalitionCoalition of the willing
The term coalition of the willing is a post-1990 political phrase used to collectively describe participants in military or military-humanitarian interventions for which the United Nations Security Council cannot agree to mount a full UN peacekeeping operation...
forces, specifically the German
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
, Canadian
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
and Dutch
Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
armies.
External links
- Official Game Website
- The Few Good Men Gaming Club devoted to the CM series. Tournaments, Competitions, Prize Giveaways and a very active forum.