Close Combat: The Longest Day
Close Combat: The Longest Day
Game
Game2020
Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein
Developer Strategy 3 Tactics
Close Combat is a pausable real-time wargame series, heavily focused on historical accuracy and realistic soldier psychological profiles. Team management is crucial as every man in your team matter. From the Steam store page
76 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky) · newest Oct 6, 2026 · last updated Oct 13, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
79
LovedLoved
34 positive · 9 negative
95% range 65–89%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 34 | 9 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 10 | 0 | 23 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Positive
37 of 46 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
79% recommend · 34 yes, 9 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 43 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (70 of 84 positive).
Some reviewers note that the AI is weak, often passive or unresponsive, which can frustrate players. [1][2][3] A few players report technical issues like resolution problems or poor scaling on modern systems. [4][5][6]
Liked
Representative posts
- [2]
You forget just how bad this game was. The AI will not budge until you make a move, regardless of whether you are offense or defense. Vehicles turn 'round and 'round before advancing. Troops in ambush position are blind to enemies 20 yards away. They should be able to smell them at that range! Avoid like the plague.
- [7]
A masterpiece two decades ago, a classic masterpiece today.
- [8]
I played this when I was a kid and never understood the tactical depth of this game. I still liked it as a kid, as an adult I love it! Most realistic strategy game I've played. 4.5/5 + Tactical realism and depth + The slow pace is perfect for this size of engagement and it's more about analyzing than clicks per minute + Pretty smart AI + Graphics and style still holds up - learning the game is done by trial and …
- [1]
I like it. I should note that AI is not much better than it was on release 20 years ago, though given the relative stagnation of AI in games, it's not awful. Battles should be set at 15 minute limit because of this, and AI probably has a better time as the defender (US/Allies). If you're not a massive Close Combat fan or min maxer I think it will serve well enough regardless of the side you choose.In fairness, as …
- [9]
A masterpiece! Top two Close combat titles! The AI still isn't challenging enough but if you have a friend to play with its a great time. Make sure to look up which ports to open on your router if you want to play multiplayer.
Summarised from 34 of the 76 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein sits at 79% positive across 43 opinionated reactions from 2 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Reactions
60 of 76 · most liked first"This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war, and will, I believe be regarded as an ever famous American victory." - Winston S. Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1945 SIDENOTE: The title of the game "Wacht am Rhein" ("Watch on the Rhein") isn't strictly accurate, as the code name for the offensive was changed to "Unternehmen Herbstnebel" ("Operation Autumn Mist") only a week before the battle began, by the overly paranoid Hitler. However, it is commonly known…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Between them, the Pokémon: Close Combat community picked Marshadow as the next character to be added to the game. But that means they have to leave their muse behind.... long live Marshmelo, may they be reunited one day 🫡 #Pokémon
neutral · AI labelView post →I thought I would give this another go after the update. The scaling is still a total mess. Battle maps scale okay, but the in battle menus are huge compared to the map and the main menu screens are still tiny, there's also a glitch where the scenario editor screen becomes misty if you select a battlegroup. There's a few minor gripes too, mostly carried over from the original release; there's still no Tiger 2s or Sherman Jumbo tanks unless the player sets both sides to recruit difficulty (I…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Been playing Pokemon Close Combat recently. Really enjoying playing as Slither Wing recently. #pokemon
positive · AI labelView post →Humanized Medicham, Falinks, Bewear and Poliwrath as they appear in Pokémon: Close Combat! mayyybe I'll make a mod of these for the game one day, sounds fun hehe #brart #pokémon #gijinka
neutral · AI labelView post →The current State of my RTS Game "Trails of Suebia": - Ranged and Close Combat - Resource gathering - Player can win or lose - Fully working dynamic Fog of War - Building Construction - Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux & Mac (thx Unity♥) #Indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #unity3d #trailsofsuebia
neutral · AI labelView post →Todays video is LIVE and we are showcasing indie fighting game Pokemon: Close Combat! Your favourite pokemon fighting? Well not really, the cast is actually very non standard and interesting, and gameplay wise a real treat! youtu.be/AQP6KYm0vHM
neutral · AI labelView post →You forget just how bad this game was. The AI will not budge until you make a move, regardless of whether you are offense or defense. Vehicles turn 'round and 'round before advancing. Troops in ambush position are blind to enemies 20 yards away. They should be able to smell them at that range! Avoid like the plague.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It' a Classic Close Combat game, there all great. Nothing but good things to say about the older games....
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I own almost all of the CC games and have played them since CC1 came out and this one is by far my least favorite. The enemy AI, depsite being on the offensive, will not do anything until you move your units around. The friendly AI will randomly decide to move out into the open and proceed to get annihilated by the tank or MG team in the field they've had eyes on the entire time. AT guns will randomly decide that its a good time to move as they're firing on a tank or infantry team. It's…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There is a resolution problem and the game will not maximize on Windows 10. Read the suggestions on the community page, but there doesn't appear to be a fix. Odd, I have three Close Combat games, and this is the only one that's jacked.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →16) What would your dream Pokemon game be? Idk if you guys know that Pokemon: Close Combat is a 2D fighting fangame! It's a REALLY GOOD game that I have not truly tried myself, but I think this becomes an even better game with the right money and production! (Also I want Pokepark 3)
positive · AI labelView post →A masterpiece two decades ago, a classic masterpiece today.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS 😲 Juan Salerno's Game 1 was looking bleak, but Sneasler came through to save the day with a critical hit Close Combat to flip the script! #PokemonVGC
neutral · AI labelView post →PKMN: Close Combat! It’s a Pokémon fighting game with a roster of only fighting-types. Here’s the link to their YT channel. youtu.be/41ZuBfpZehw?...
neutral · AI labelView post →another two old art reposts. Featuring both Chef Kawasaki being unamused at a certain dish, and Falinks using their Mighty grab from the wonder fan game Pokemon: Close Combat #kirby #pokemon #Art #digitalart #roughsketch
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm REALLY enjoying Pokemon Close Combat. I'm starting to think that I might be as into this game as I was Them's Fightin' Herds. I haven't felt this desire to get strong at a fighting game since that one, how appropriate that I find it in another random little indie fighter!
positive · AI labelView post →Small Soldiers: Close Combat #indiedev #gamedevelopment #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →I play Pokemon Close Combat, a game in which every character has just five grounded normals, and I've heard people say "[Character] is totally carried by [lists two to three grounded normals]."
neutral · AI labelView post →Battle of the bulge/wacht am rhein was the first of the CC series i got to know, back in the late 90's. After, i also bought almost every other part in the series. I truly appreciate it. Of all the parts in the series, wacht am Rhein is my most played / most favorite version. The steam version has a few differences. First of all, the sound. The sound has been improved dramatically. An MG42 now actually sounds like an MG42 instead of a generic "prrrpp". The menu interface has been slightly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I made a lil' combo video for one of my favourite fighting game characters - Passimian from Close Combat! It's a great game!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SJb...
positive · AI labelView post →Had bought this game back in the day when it was called Close Combat 4 Battle of the Bulge. Loved it then, love it now. Especially the addition of swapping units before a battle.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A classic game. As long as I know (it was long time ago), in original CC4 version you could not edit the team. Now you can edit anybody in the team like in CC5. Love close combat games.....!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Mienshao in Pokemon Close Combat has got to be one of the most fun fighting game characters ever, it's completely captured my brain.
positive · AI labelView post →Combo Breaker is right around the corner, so of course I'm labbing Pokemon Close Combat, a game that is NOT at Combo Breaker and which I do NOT play with other people.
neutral · AI labelView post →I used to like these games because I played them as a child, then I started to have mixed feelings and the more I played I started to realize that it is a really bad game. Aalmost as enjoyable as removing the skin from your backside with a cheese grater. The older titles are better, even though they are also not that good and time has moved on. The AI is so bad that they gave it some frustating advantage and now you can't target them but they can target you, and by targeting I mean every enemy…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tonight at 7PM EST, @lunalaur.bsky.social & I throwdown, in a fan made fighting game called Pokemon: Close Combat! & maybe some other things, if we're unable to go forward with it lol. See ya soon!
neutral · AI labelView post →I stumbled up a Pokémon fan game last night. And no, it's not another ROM-hack, it's actually a fighting game called Close Combat. www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Zu... The game has a really cool art style, a fan of that. And without a new Pokkén in the horizon, this might have to do to fill that void.
neutral · AI labelView post →OH MY GOD!!!!!! BUNNY!!!!! BUNNY IN THE GAME!!!!! OOUGGHHH POKEMON CLOSE COMBAT TEAM YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN youtu.be/41ZuBfpZehw
positive · AI labelView post →I like it. I should note that AI is not much better than it was on release 20 years ago, though given the relative stagnation of AI in games, it's not awful. Battles should be set at 15 minute limit because of this, and AI probably has a better time as the defender (US/Allies). If you're not a massive Close Combat fan or min maxer I think it will serve well enough regardless of the side you choose.In fairness, as well, the Battle of the Bulge was a terrible idea, as Hitler was repeatedly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unlike Panthers In the Fog and Cross of Iron this Close Combat game is looking very dated. It's a remake of an old 1990s game and it shows. The graphics haven't really been improved, the UI is really small, and the maps are also small. Not worth buying even in a Steam Sale which is a shame because this was my favourite Close Combat game when I played the original years ago. But the graphics are not looking good now, looks pixellated.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Okay Close Combat thats been around for a long time. I had the original Bulge IV. I'm sure the graphics were better but the AI is more of a challenge. Playing on Elite with the Germans seems impossible after 4 days in and your artillery is pretty useless and will get taken out in seconds no matter where you put it. The shermans seems to be unrealistically able to take numerous hits from good panzers.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pokemon Close Combat, a fan game made in 2DFM and the roster consists entirely of Fighting Types.
neutral · AI labelView post →Getting into Pokemon Close Combat HOLY SHIT this game is fun asf
positive · AI labelView post →Man, the "Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far" game was great.
neutral · AI labelView post →Why is it when I play as the germans my Panthers are weaker than Shermans and when I play as the americans my Shermans are butchered by the Panthers....
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An enjoyable franchise,precursor to games like armored brigade,cc isnt perfect but has its own unique charm,recommended to all wargamers and strategy lovers,you will be replaying battles multiple times just trying to find that sweet spot for your at guns lol.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played this when I was a kid and never understood the tactical depth of this game. I still liked it as a kid, as an adult I love it! Most realistic strategy game I've played. 4.5/5 + Tactical realism and depth + The slow pace is perfect for this size of engagement and it's more about analyzing than clicks per minute + Pretty smart AI + Graphics and style still holds up - learning the game is done by trial and error - sound design aren't that great
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You done a few art pieces and even comics around them. Good representation makes a pokemon way more lovable. I started think about this more after the fan game "Pokemon Close Combat" made me love Chesnaught asthetically how they a were represented with emotion, personal fit motion, & personality.
positive · AI labelView post →I love farming Staraptor players while theyre all still in the new toy syndrome phase and just spam Close Combat all game
neutral · AI labelView post →Still worth playing in 2025. The post 2008 (Matrix) remakes are better than the originals in AI, path-finding, animations, graphics and multi-layer options. they are usually better at joining the tactical and strategic maps to make the campaign flow as well. Buy them here or at Matrix whichever has a sale on (when you buy @Matrix you will will still get a STEAM key and an option for a physical disc).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The only (non-platform) fighting game ive played with 1 button that felt good so far is Pokemon Close Combat, in part because motion inputs do still exist for supers (Its also just a very simplistic game with 1 normal button 1 special and a parry button)
positive · AI labelView post →So heads up new Pokemon fighting game is out there and its actually sick~ Pokemon Close Combat! Story modes done as well as online VS. and training for labs! Theres is also a secret boss if you clear story without losing a round which I won't spoil so have at it!
positive · AI labelView post →Yeah, I'm not sure who/how they've handled the port this time, but off the top of my head I'd have to go back to Close Combat for an in-house Mac port of a Microsoft game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Was PC guy when I made Arcade titles. Even had Microsoft Games title, old man war game called Close Combat III. Plus my GBA titles I made on PC. Wasnt until I wanted to make old style CRPGs on iPhone/Android (weird, I know) that I had to get a Mac. So I was forced into PC & Apple. But now I'm home.
neutral · AI labelView post →With everything going on I regret not knowing my great grandfather who fought in WW2 better. Pretty sure he'd be triggered and against this regime cause I know he saw friends die. The only time i saw tears in his eyes was when he watched my brother and I play a WW2 PC game called Close Combat.
neutral · AI labelView post →Great tactical challenges, great action, very dynamic, and demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of WW2 era weapons, unit and systems.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In early December 1944 Hitler had another plan other than Operation Wacht am Rhein. So in Hitlerian fashion he devised something ridiculously too ambitious that naturally ran along the tortured neurons and synapses of his graceless, and putrescent, brain. His main capable deputies, Model and Rundstedt, devised something together a little more, you know, smaller, something that could possibly work. But no, Hitler threw a tantrum until his little deputies begrudgingly said, Zeeg Hi L. Sheriff…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I wish I could have better edited videos, but we do what we can. Also, Grimmsnarl lead is really cool. Potentially may have thrown the game by Nasty Plotting twice. Didn’t know how much I needed to KO Staraptor. Also didn’t know I would barely live a Close Combat. I’m still learning calcs.
neutral · AI labelView post →Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein is a demanding World War II tactical wargame built for players who enjoy deliberate planning, historically grounded scenarios, and battles where individual soldiers matter. Developed by Strategy 3 Tactics and published by Matrix Games, it focuses on the Battle of the Bulge and gives players command of German or Allied forces during one of the most important campaigns on the Western Front. Instead of chasing cinematic spectacle, it emphasizes battlefield…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →What (Game)FREAK decided to put Contrary on one of the singular best users of Close Combat? At almost 600 base stats after going Mega? We being fr? Staraptor stonks about to go sky high, might actually make Larry crack a smile
neutral · AI labelView post →I think the only reason Malamar had Close Combat in Legends: Z-A was because Superpower doesn't exist in that game; in Champions its moveset is more akin to prior to Legends: Z-A
neutral · AI labelView post →Lost a match of Champions to Mega Scizor because Close Combat crit my Iron Def Corviknight, fuck this game
neutral · AI labelView post →The A.I needs improvement as it does in any game but it is still enjoyable.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Top down simple game. or is it? Real tactics work. Charge headlong into attack, without support and you will die. Takes a while to master.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Long ago CC player coming back with the steam releases. I had a BLAST with Cross of Iron. That one I really recommend. So I figured id try this one (completed all campaigns in Cross, and some of those are nail biters with a lot of back and forth. The fights feel like a real unit action over time). The campaign in this version is like playing 10+ operations at once with very little incentive to actually play them. You bounce from fight to fight with completely different units with no…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Now completely outdated but in its time somewhat decent game. Hopeless AI, buggy LOS and unrealistic damage modelling.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Buzzwole for Close Combat could become reality. But yeah Pokken was a neat game that was really held back by a lot of weird Wii U stuff
neutral · AI labelView post →Its for those who like close quarters tactics game but its slow, patience is needed to play it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love this game. Please someone update this!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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