Only my second Close Combat game, Modern Tactics lacks some of the polish of the games that came after it (like a mouse zoomable camera) but retains the classic play style of the series before the "Combat Mission-esque" makeover in the Bloody First. Hand-drawn maps compete with barely distinguishable unit sprites, as sound effects leave me mousing around the map and switching to the strategic view to locate the enemy.

I had been curious about this title since reading it was based on a marine training tool and never had a chance to play it back during its initial release. Seeing it on steam with no fanfare. I picked it up right away and put a few hours in. After struggling to get the game to run at full screen with readable text, I am happy to say that the DPI options and UI scaling are all on the options menu now, but do require a restart to take effect. Also, adding icons over the units helped me to find them easier, but this could also be because I am color-blind.

I have had a great time with Modern Tactics, though the mission overviews are vague and the OPFOR info could be better. It seems like for every feature I find dated or frustrating, the game does something that makes up for it and then some. A great older title and worthy addition to any modern military game collection, with the caveat that it really does not hold up to the more modern titles in the series, or the vastly superior Combat Mission games the series seems to try to be emulating in the latest release.

It's ... not good. I was excited to play a CC game using more modern equipment, and while it does have that, the game is a step back.
Graphically, this feels much older than the actually older games in the CC catalogue. This really affects gameplay. There also does not appear to be anything other than single battles available, so any sense of flow is missing. get your units killed, no problem, won't need them again. this feels more like a beta version of a game than a release, and seems to be trading on the CC name for the cash grab. i got it for 10 bucks, so I'm okay-ish with it, no way would i pay the 30 dollar ask.

What this is: Close Combat with modern weapons and vehicles.
What does that mean: It's a Close Combat game.
Okay, but what does THAT mean: It means you've got a very good wargame with emphasis on tactics. Don't expect any fast-paced action, or even the ability to zoom in. You're fixed at the speed and angle, which is fine if you're used to Close Combat games.
Well, that sounds kind of bad: No, not really. You have to adjust your expectations of what you want out of your military strategy game. If you're looking for something with a glossy sheen, but less substance, play something else. If you're looking for more thinking man's, slow-paced strategy, this will be more your speed.
Will I like it: If everything described doesn't turn you off, and you're still interested, and if you've played actually good Close Combat games (not the Bloody First), then you'll most likely enjoy this. There is something fun about having the modern tech, calling in fast movers or a whirly bird for support.
Hmm, maybe I'll check it out: Cool, if you've made it this far and you're still thinking about it, you should pick it up. Maybe when it is on sale. Well, always when anything is on sale, am I right?

First off; The graphics are of the older titles, from before PitF/GTC.

Second; Am I missing something or is there no campaign of any sort?

When I play other titles, I feel like i'm achieving something on the GC or custom scenario's.
Except for COI and B1st I've enjoyed every other title and I consider them fun to play. With fairly easy to use UI and an overall gameplay which i've been enyoing since CC5. This is not one of them.

The modern weapon systems are made to accurately fire from one end of the map to the other, which this game isn't built for. The screen is too zoomed in. I can't anticipate mbt's firing rapidly on my tanks from said ranges while i'm micromanaging other units in the field.

Being based on Close Combat Marines, I know this is designed more as an education tool than a game, so if used as such it might be okay if a bit dated(?)

My recommendation to the developer would be:
+ Enable Campaign and Operations (like in most previous titles)
+ Enable Workshop for the fanbase to cook up new and innovative things in general
+ Get hold of those responsible for "Close Combat Red Storm Rising" and parse it in as a free DLC or Workshop item
(http://www.closecombatseries.net/CCS/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=118)

In its current form I cannot recommend it other than to very die-hard followers of the Close Combat series.

Ive heard you either love it or hate it. Well I hate it. I was excited fr a modern war game like the other close combat games but was disappointed. The path finding is horrible and there is no campaign. It lacks seriously compared to the other close combat games. waste of my money. Not much original sounds and the editor to me is not user friendly.

Very buggy game. Multiple crashes and disappearing mouse cursors make the game frustrating to play.
Not even worth it on sale.

Doesn't matter what other people think about this game: I love it.
Understandable but realistic, old graphics but exciting action.
My first mission, minor victory, almost a draw.
My second mission, a bit better: moderate victory.
But the satisfaction to achieve a total victory on the third mission (urban combat, US Army vs enemy with same US Army equipment), conquesting the seventh and last objective on the last seconds of play, was simply undescribable. In many other games I simply doesn't do progresses because the rules are incomprehensible: they are like the super orthodox university professors who reject the passionate student because they deliberately explain things in an incomprehensible way. Then comes the good professor who helps the student to learn and grow, and the student became an expert. This game is like that, even with a very simple tutorial. Clear.

It has also an editor. Sadly I don't have find anyone who plays it in multiplayer up today. The internet site of the publisher Matrix Games even says that the game DOES NOT have multiplayer, but to me the game do the connection attempt, anyway there is no one who wants to play it... Mistery. Negative point.

I am pretty sure that I will play all the 25+4 single player scenarios, and I'm sure the game AI will give me a hard time, though.

Probably I will try the editor, but what a pity this game doesn't support the Steam Workshop, I would like to share my custom scenario... another negative point.

But... the only other Close Combat I played before this was the very first one, more than 20 years ago - Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far, and I don't like it. The soldiers doesn't obey to orders too often, and I don't know what to do and what they did. Then this game. Anyone doesn't give it a damn. I love it.

I'm a fan of the Close Combat games but this one is very rough and dated. With its current price tag I cannot recommend it.

Feels and plays terrible. Just get Combat Mission Shock Force 2 or Black Sea.

- non-scaled UI,
- no zoom options,
- unreadable maps (hard to say where there are windows which let you fire through),
- unit positioning is absolutely horrible (CC2 did it better, remind me how many years ago?)
- "experienced" units that ignore orders when being absolutely in control,
- combat makes no sense, what does this game "simulate"? Dice rolls?