Battlezone: Combat Commander

Release Date: March 1, 2018

Action, science fiction, RTS, mechs, elements of strategy, remaster/remake, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet

90%

Steam

Rate It!

A remastered version of 1999 Battlezone II: Combat Commander, which combined elements of RTS titles with those of a dynamic mech simulator. The player takes on the role of a recruit at the International Space Defence Force - a combat unit created by the Soviet Union and the United States in order to fight invaders from space. Apart from a story campaign, the game offers an extensive multiplayer mode.

Plot
Mechanics
Game modes
Technical aspects

Battlezone: Combat Commander is a remastered version of Battlezone II: Combat Commander (1999). In similarity to the original edition, the game is a mixture of a real-time strategy and a first-person shooter. Battlezone: Combat Commander was developed by Big Boat Interactive and published by Rebellion.

Plot

The game is set in the second half of the twentieth century and presents an alternative version of history. Faced with a threat posed by an alien civilization, the United States and the Soviet Union abandon their arms race in order to form the International Space Defense Force – a special unit created specifically to fight the invaders from space. The player assumes the role of a recruit, and their tasks are to traverse the Solar System and neutralize the threat before all of humanity gets seriously endangered.

Mechanics

Battlezone: Combat Commander is played from the first-person view. The game offers 24 missions taking place within 6 different sceneries. Throughout the game, not only can the player take control of thirty different vehicles (tanks, fighters or futuristic mechs), but they can also take part in large-scope battles along with other infantrymen. RTS elements play an important part in the game as well; during the struggle against the enemy, the player constructs factories, strengthens their base, gathers resources and recruits new units. The player's subordinates gain experience over time and increase their combat potential, becoming better and better at causing mayhem within the ranks of the enemy. This is reflected in them performing gradually more complex maneuvers, as well as having weapons that fit into particular combat situations; they can also perform a tactical retreat if needed.

Game modes

Apart from the single-player campaign, Battlezone: Combat Commander offers an extensive multiplayer component consisting of game modes based on both competition and cooperation.

Technical aspects

While working on Battlezone: Combat Commander, the creators placed a special emphasis on the visuals, as a series of improvements was implemented. This new version brings new textures, better shading, as well as the support for DirectX 11. It is also worth noticing, that the game is mod-friendly, so the players can create mainly their own maps and vehicles to be used both in single-player and multiplayer sessions.

Last updated on February 19, 2018

Videos and Screens

[1:13] Battlezone: Combat Commander launch trailer

[1:21] Battlezone: Combat Commander graphics comparison

90%