World War II: Frontline Command
Encyclopedia
World War II Frontline Command is a real-time strategy
, 3D
, tactical war game for the PC
that was developed by long standing developers, the Bitmap Brothers
. It was originally released in Europe during September 2002 by Deep Silver and subsequently released in June 2003 by Focus Multimedia
.
. The game opens with the player dropping paratroopers into Europe to disrupt the entrenched Axis forces ahead of the main invasion forces set to land on D-Day
.
World War II Frontline Command features two play modes, recruit and veteran, that share some of the same mission maps. Enemy units are attracted to noise so using gunfire may attract unwanted attention. A morale system has been incorporated meaning that after losses are sustained, performance will be adversely affected.
was upgraded in the development of Frontline Command.
reviewer felt the game was realistic, had detailed graphics and a very good interface that allowed complex actions.
An IGN Entertainment review felt the sounds were nothing remarkable and both the cut scenes and tutorial mode were un-original and standard. Another review at Gamespot
, felt the ideas behind the game were good, but the implementation was flawed.
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
, 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
, tactical war game for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
that was developed by long standing developers, the Bitmap Brothers
Bitmap Brothers
The Bitmap Brothers were a UK based video game developer founded in 1987. The company entered the industry in 1988 with the scrolling shooter Xenon. They quickly followed with the classic Speedball...
. It was originally released in Europe during September 2002 by Deep Silver and subsequently released in June 2003 by Focus Multimedia
Focus Multimedia
Focus Multimedia was founded in 1995 in England by Craig Johnson and Lawrence Reeves. It is a consumer software publisher that mostly distributes its products in the UK and Ireland, but also exports to English-speaking countries worldwide....
.
Plot
As the name suggests, the game is set within the era of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The game opens with the player dropping paratroopers into Europe to disrupt the entrenched Axis forces ahead of the main invasion forces set to land on D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
.
Gameplay
Players must take command of their forces and turn the tide of Axis aggression while conquering fortress Europe, using a vast amount of authentic infantry, vehicles and weaponry. Mission objectives include destroying bridges, clearing bunkers, and knocking down radar towers. There are no resources to be collected or buildings to be constructed.World War II Frontline Command features two play modes, recruit and veteran, that share some of the same mission maps. Enemy units are attracted to noise so using gunfire may attract unwanted attention. A morale system has been incorporated meaning that after losses are sustained, performance will be adversely affected.
Development
Gaming Director, Jamie Barber noted that the game engine used in the creation of Z: Steel SoldiersZ: Steel Soldiers
Z: Steel Soldiers is a real-time strategy game released by the Bitmap Brothers on 15 June, 2001 for the Windows platform. It is the sequel of their earlier game Z, and follows the same futuristic military science fiction storyline and battlefield gameplay...
was upgraded in the development of Frontline Command.
Reception
The game acquired a generally positive reception by reviewers. A EurogamerEurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
reviewer felt the game was realistic, had detailed graphics and a very good interface that allowed complex actions.
An IGN Entertainment review felt the sounds were nothing remarkable and both the cut scenes and tutorial mode were un-original and standard. Another review at 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...
, felt the ideas behind the game were good, but the implementation was flawed.
See also
- List of strategy video games
- List of World War II video games