What do you get if you send Command & Conquer to bed early, with nothing to watch but classic World War II films? Hopefully not another Close Combat...
Andy Ashwin

I didn't like any of the Close Combat series. Too damn fiddly for their own good.
Sudden Strike, however, manages to deal with some pretty complex strategy-type stuff without confusing the average games journalist. And it's set in World War II - a historical period that has become rather hip following the success of Hidden & Dangerous.

So can I play as the Germans?
If you want to. You can also take command of the efficient Russians, the tally-ho British, the supercilious Americans and the capitulating French. The action is set for the most part in Russia, the scene of some of the most ferocious land battles in history.

Cool, and indeed cold. Brrr! Are there plenty of realistic units?
We counted at least umpteen, with up to 1,000 involved in one battle. Cripes! Every unit is painstakingly modelled and the results are stunning. You've got your blokes (snipers, officers, machine gunners, demolition men, etc), a wide selection of tanks, armoured cars...

Trucks?
Oh yes.

Wahey! Rocket launchers?
Indeed.

Yip! Artillery?
You got it.

Bwak! Boats?
But of course. There's even a primitive multiple rocket launcher called Stalin's Organ (fnar). And don't forget the airborne units, including bombers and paratroopers. It's got everything! Choose to play as the Yanks and you'll probably find a miniature Betty Grable entertaining the troops.