Crusade in Europe

SAME GAME AS In THE 1980'S so that's still fun- but no mouse controls, only keyboard. No way to save game unless you have a blank 5 1/4 floppy disk and an "A" drive! I assumed this whad those few updates built in to this small cost version. Must look up the owners manual PDF to see the passwords to start the game each time. You can freeze the game and leave it running overnight since you can't save partway through a 5 or 7 hour longer scenario, but I can't figure out how to minimize the screen so as to use the rest of the computer. Also overrides sleep and screensaver modes on you computer.

A fun game that presents different scenarios in short digestible bursts, mostly because the save function is virtually unusable unless you literally have an "A:" floppy disk drive available. It supports hot seat multiplayer but, sadly, no play-by-mail option. This is not a turn-based game, and the clock will continue ticking whilst you juggle around the orders and actions of all your units. Fortunately, you can press the "F" key to pause ("freeze") the game at any time (and to pay respects) allowing your adroit general to carefully issue orders to your units for maximum micro efficiency. There is no mouse support. The keyboard controls are clunky, weird, and not very intuitive. You move the cursor using the arrow keys over one of your units and then press one of several action keys ("A": attack, "M": move, "R": reserve, "D": defend) followed by the letter "H" (supposedly stands for "Here"). Issuing an order does not necessarily mean it will be carried out immediately, and it's more of a "suggestion" you are making to your units which will either follow your instructions to a tee (when the game engine decides to do it) or ignore it completely if the order does not make logical sense (like attacking a hex that is too far away or attempting to move a unit through a path that is either blocked by enemy units or by the terrain itself [or bad weather]). You can play the allied side (America + Britain + Canada) or the Germans, and the game simulates fog of war by hiding enemy units that have not been spotted yet or that you, as general, couldn't realistically have any knowledge of yet. Winning a scenario is more than just a "paint the map" enterprise but you need to obtain victory points instead by capturing strategic enemy locations whilst minimizing unit loses; always remembering that the clock continuously moves forward, so you must be aware of the time constraints in each scenario. There is often more than one way to win a scenario. You can either rack up victory points before the cutoff date or you can swing an automatic win if you capture a "critical location" regardless of how many victory points you have. Alas, the specific victory conditions are only found in the included PDF game manual, so there's no way to review this information from within the game. Each in-game day at midnight you are automatically resupplied, provided that your HQ building or supply depots have an unblocked route to your units, but not once did I struggle with any supply lines in the scenarios I played at the default settings, so it's probably something that becomes more significant on higher difficulties. You also receive reinforcements on specific dates (hard-coded events) depending on the scenario you are playing (the dates can be found in the manual under the "Reinforcement Schedule" section). The game includes four standalone scenarios covering famous historical battles (Normandy landings, Race for the Rhine, Operation Market-garden, and Battle of the Bulge) as well as a handful of scenario variants (mostly "what if" situations) which add different modifiers and an assortment of tweaks and twists to the vanilla maps that help kick things up a notch. Lastly, there is the "Battle for France" campaign where you can play a longer war operation spanning from June 6th to the end of October 1944—the equivalent of the first two standalone scenarios. Crusade in Europe is the first part of a trilogy. The two sequels "Decision in the Desert" and "Conflict in Vietnam" (both available on Steam) cover the North African campaign and the Vietnam war, respectively. The game is obviously a rudimentary eye sore as ugly as a ballsack hemorrhage, but, if you can get past the pixel smudges on the screen and the confusing controls, it's a great game of the Commodore 64 golden era.

A classic Strategy game from the 80s which is easy to learn and well researched. More experienced players may find it simplistic, but it is a great introduction to the real time genre, even if it's "pseudo" real time. (sides and units go in preset turns as the clock ticks by). The only thing making it a bit clunky is the keyboard only cursor. Back in the day, the Commodore 64 version was better and you could control the cursor with a joystick. Wish someone would update and upgrade this... PS: It may say 3.9 hours at the time of review, but i played this game hundreds of hours back when it first came out

There were a lot of Games about D-day back in the day. Like D-Day America invades or Overlord But this is an all time classic and is one of my favorites NOTE; The atari-8bit is the best version better than Dos. The game has several variants. You can play as either the Allies or Germans, You can have varients like one where Rommel is in Normandy Instead of Calais. Or another where Hitler is more successful in his plans giving the Germans a slight advantage. Or play the grand campaign. Press T to switch sides BTW The Goal is the same, Liberate France and move on to Germany and the Rhineland. The engine used is similar to Decision in the Desert, Nato Commander and Conflict Nam but better.

An old game I played 40 years ago. Graphics are crude and computer opponent can make errors, but the game is old.

Classic Sid Meier <3

Crusade in Europe, released in 1985 by MicroProse and designed by Sid Meier and Ed Bever, is a pioneering real-time strategy game that immerses players in the complexities of World War II's European theater. As the inaugural title in MicroProse's "Command Series," it set a high standard for historical accuracy and strategic depth in wargaming. The game offers five meticulously crafted scenarios: the D-Day invasion, the Race for the Rhine, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and a comprehensive campaign scenario. Each scenario is designed to challenge players with historically accurate conditions and decisions faced by commanders during these pivotal moments in history. The inclusion of multiple difficulty levels and the ability to play as either the Allied or Axis forces adds replayability and depth to the experience. At its core, Crusade in Europe emphasizes real-time strategic planning over tactical combat. Players are tasked with managing resources, coordinating troop movements, and responding to dynamic battlefield conditions. The game's interface, while simplistic by modern standards, effectively conveys the necessary information and allows for efficient command execution. The real-time nature of the game means that decisions must be made swiftly, with the understanding that the tide of battle can change in an instant. Graphically, the game utilizes a top-down perspective with color-coded unit icons representing different military forces. The map is divided into hexagonal tiles, each representing a specific area of terrain. While the visuals are basic, they serve their purpose in conveying the state of the battlefield. The game's sound design is minimalistic, with limited audio cues that provide feedback on player actions and game events. Upon its release, Crusade in Europe received acclaim for its innovative approach to wargaming. Critics praised the game's depth, historical accuracy, and the challenge it presented. The game's emphasis on strategic planning over tactical combat was a departure from many contemporary wargames, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. In conclusion, Crusade in Europe stands as a seminal title in the history of real-time strategy games. Its blend of historical accuracy, strategic depth, and innovative gameplay mechanics set a benchmark for future titles in the genre. For enthusiasts of historical wargaming and fans of Sid Meier's work, Crusade in Europe offers a compelling glimpse into the early days of real-time strategy gaming. Rating: 6/10

For £2 it is an enjoyable flash-back to the past!

It would be better if we had cheat codes to play !

Loved this game back in the day, enjoy it today. Can't save, which is a bummer. also, when I switch screens and return, it's reduced to a small screen that I can't figure how to return to full screen. However, with that being known, as long as I have several hours free, uninterrupted, I can relive days long gone.