Combat Mission Black Sea

Combat Mission: Black Sea is a demanding and highly detailed tactical wargame developed by Battlefront and published by Matrix Games that explores modern near-peer warfare with an intensity and realism few games attempt. Set in a fictional but unsettlingly plausible conflict in Eastern Europe, the game imagines a large-scale clash between Russian, Ukrainian, and NATO forces during the late 2010s. Rather than sensationalizing modern warfare, it presents it as fast, lethal, and deeply unforgiving, emphasizing how technology, doctrine, and information dominance shape outcomes long before units exchange fire. At its core, the game uses the Combat Mission series’ signature approach to tactical combat, offering both real-time play and the WEGO system, where orders are planned and then executed simultaneously during a fixed action phase. WEGO mode, in particular, defines the experience by forcing players to think ahead and accept uncertainty. Once the clock starts, units act on their orders regardless of how the situation evolves, capturing the friction and chaos of real command. This design choice makes reconnaissance, timing, and positioning absolutely critical, as mistakes cannot be instantly corrected and often result in catastrophic losses. What truly distinguishes Black Sea is its modeling of modern battlefield technology. Units are equipped with advanced optics, thermal imaging, drones, precision-guided artillery, electronic warfare capabilities, and active protection systems, all of which dramatically affect how engagements unfold. Spotting the enemy first is often decisive, and forces caught in the open can be destroyed at long range before they have a chance to react. Infantry are vulnerable without cover and support, armor is powerful but far from invincible, and combined arms coordination is not optional but essential. The game conveys just how compressed and lethal modern combat has become, where seconds and meters can determine victory or defeat. Infantry behavior is governed by morale, training, fatigue, leadership, and suppression, making troops feel like human elements rather than expendable counters. Units may hesitate, break, or refuse orders under heavy fire, while well-led formations can maintain cohesion and continue fighting under extreme pressure. Vehicles simulate armor penetration, internal damage, and crew effectiveness, creating tense armored engagements where even advanced tanks must respect threats from infantry anti-tank weapons and artillery. Losses are meaningful, and reckless tactics are punished quickly, reinforcing the importance of disciplined maneuver and careful planning. Terrain plays a central role in shaping every battle. Urban environments, open fields, rivers, forests, and rolling hills all influence line of sight, engagement ranges, and movement options. Cities become deadly mazes where infantry clearing operations must be methodical and supported, while open terrain rewards reconnaissance and long-range fires. Weather and lighting conditions further complicate operations, affecting visibility and sensor effectiveness. Every map feels like a complex tactical problem where terrain must be read and exploited rather than simply crossed. The game offers a substantial amount of content through multiple campaigns, standalone scenarios, and a flexible Quick Battle system. Campaigns place players in challenging operational situations where force preservation and long-term planning matter, while standalone scenarios offer focused tactical puzzles. The inclusion of a powerful editor greatly enhances replayability, allowing players to create custom scenarios or explore alternate engagements using the game’s deep simulation tools. This flexibility ensures that the experience remains fresh long after the initial content is completed. Visually, Combat Mission: Black Sea favors function over modern polish. The graphics are serviceable and clear, prioritizing battlefield readability and information density over cinematic presentation. The interface is dense and can feel intimidating to newcomers, requiring time and patience to learn. However, this complexity reflects the depth of the simulation, and once mastered, the interface provides exceptional control over units and access to critical tactical information that few other games offer. The artificial intelligence is capable and often punishing, particularly when exploiting exposed units or poorly planned advances. While experienced players may eventually identify patterns, the AI generally provides enough resistance to make engagements tense and rewarding. Multiplayer further elevates the experience, as human opponents bring unpredictability and force even greater care in planning and execution, fully showcasing the strengths of the WEGO system. Combat Mission: Black Sea is not designed for casual players or quick sessions. It demands patience, study, and a willingness to accept failure as part of the learning process. Battles are slow, losses are brutal, and success often comes only after careful analysis and adaptation. Yet for players who embrace its depth, the game delivers one of the most authentic and intellectually challenging representations of modern ground combat available. It stands as a sobering, methodical, and deeply engaging simulation that rewards thoughtful command and offers a rare glimpse into the complexity and danger of contemporary warfare. Rating: 8/10

Es literalmente el mismo juego de hace ¿25 años?. De hecho los menús y la interfaz es mucho peor a como las recuerdo, menos intuitiva, patalla sin utilizar. Colores muy básicos (¿tal vez la arcaica paleta de 256 colores de hace eones?) Lo siento pero a día de hoy no es de recibo y no es un producto presentable y menos a esos precios. La interfaz está totalmente obsoleta a día de hoy, nada intuitiva. En mis tiempos mozos era una maravilla, pero a día de hoy necesita ser adaptado como mínimo a los monitores actuales.

It's a good game but I would never buy it at full price. The performance is atrocious, the engine is older than I am and the jank is extreme. That being said, no other game is quite like it and if you want to get it, then absolutely do so. Wait for combat mission 3 engine.

Warhammer 2k - вот как бы я это назвал! Это одна из лучших стратегий, для любителей ползать по посадкам и посылать колонну с фразой "Ехайте, там никого нет". Игра которая кидает вам вызов. Здесь реально надо думать, а за ошибки платить... жизнями бойцов. Этот проект не подойдет даже для любителей Wargame: Red Dragon или Broken Arrow. Тут простым подсчётом циферок дело не обойдется, тут надо чувствовать... Лучше всего на примере обучающей компании. Она очень классно погружает в механики игры (если на фоне запустить видео гайд с ютуба, где разраб показывает что к чему). В первой миссии вы учитесь отдавать простые приказы "иди/стреляй", во второй уже и десант возить надо, и менеджмент вооружения, на третьей начинается полный War Thunder. А потом начинаются тактические учения. И здесь ты понимаешь, что жизнь не такая радужная, когда враг ведёт ответный огонь. Наскоком на Брэдли проехать не получится. Думаешь подавить расчёт ПТРК при помощи миномётов, но тебе нельзя разрушать церковь в 30 метрах от них, разлёт то не хилый. И вот ты уже ведёшь обстрел дымовыми, MK 47 подавляет одну из крыш, пехота делает рывок из леса до первого здания, разбегается по этажам... и начинается пи***рез! Огонь из соседних зданий, подавляешь огнем из автопушек, приезжает вражеский БТР с фланга, ломает первую БМП, ломается сам от второй, в это время один отряд уже точно сбежал назад в лес... Короче боевых ситуаций здесь будет не меньше чем в реальной жизни, с поправкой конечно, что когда-то ботик затупит, анимации корявые, графика сами видите какая. Но это литерали то, что переживали мои солдатики, танчики и лего челы, когда я мелкий играл на ковре, а родственники так умилялись "Как весело наш сыночка играется <3"

They knew something we didnt...

Оценки ☑ ☐ { Графика } ☐ Вы забываете, что такое реальность ☐ Красиво ☐ Хорошо ☐ Достойный ☑ Плохо ☐ Не смотрите на это слишком долго ☐ MS-DOS { Геймплей } ☑ Очень хорошо ☐ Хорошо ☐ Это всего лишь геймплей ☐ Ммм ☐ Вместо этого наблюдайте, как сохнет краска. ☐ Только не надо { Аудио } ☐ Ушной газ ☑ Очень хорошо ☐ Хорошо ☐ Не так уж плохо ☐ Плохо ☐ Я теперь глухой { Аудитория } ☐ Дети ☑ Подростки ☑ Взрослые ☑ Бабушка { Требования к ПК } ☐ Проверьте, можете ли вы запустить Paint ☐ Картошка ☑ Достойный ☐ Быстро ☐ Рич бой ☐ Спросите НАСА, есть ли у них запасной компьютер. { Сложность } ☐ Просто нажмите «W» ☐ Легко ☐ Трудно освоить ☐ Значительное использование мозга ☑ Сложный ☐ Очень Сложный { Баланс } ☐ Нет баланса ☑ Небольшой ☐ Пойдёт ☐ Отличный { История } ☑ Нет истории ☐ Немного истории ☐ Средний ☐ Хорошо ☐ Милый ☐ Оно заменит тебе жизньё { Время игры } ☐ Достаточно для чашки кофе ☐ Короткий ☑ Средний ☐ Длинный ☐ До бесконечности и дальше { Цена } ☐ Это бесплатно! ☐ Стоит своих денег ☑ Если он есть в продаже ☐ Если у вас остались свободные деньги ☐ Не рекомендуется ☐ Вы также можете просто сжечь свои деньги { Ошибки } ☑ Никогда не слышал ☐ Мелкие ошибки ☐ Может раздражать ☐ Сама игра представляет собой большой террариум для мук { 1 / 10 } ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐ 6 ☐ 7 ☑ 8 ☐ 9 ☐ 10

[h1]9.2/10 [h1] I can still hear my Russian soldiers voice in my head. One of the most realistic strategy games out there, if you are interested in modern warfare buy this.

HELL YEAH JUST SLAUGHTERED UKRAINIES AS THE ♥♥♥♥♥♥ US ARMY HOOAH

I really love this game! For me, Black Sea and Shock Force 2 especially. Mods also look very fun, I was thinking of making my own mod for this game. I was thinking of just changing the U.S. Armed Forces uniform camos, same with the Russian Ground Forces uniform camos. Pretty simple I guess, but very fun. I will try to complete this "mod" for myself and maybe in the future, I will release it on the Internet; E.g. An Combat Mission forum, etc. Also, I would like to mention I'm a very big fan of the video game called, "HOMEFRONT" from 2011 which was published by THQ and developed by KAOS Studios. I would really like to someday, see a Combat Mission game (maybe on the new engine or not) that is themed after HOMEFRONT, containing the missions, campaigns, battles, scenarios, maps, etc. Which, could be inspired by HOMEFRONT's Singleplayer story and the Multiplayer maps and factions. In my mind, I see this as kind of an new game in the Combat Mission wargame series. Maybe this is just my fantasy, however, I would really like to see something like this made by Battlefront and Matrix Games in the near future. Even a complete modification for Combat Mission Black Sea, since it fits the HOMEFRONT style modern-warfare theme better (in my opinion) and it's not focused on the modern middle east theater like CM Shock Force 2. - Best regards, KAL. (08/04/2026)

While most of these games could have just been DLCs, they are without a doubt, the best realistic turn based strategy / war games I have played on PC. I highly recommend this one to anyone new to the genre.