Inevitably, Sudden Strike is going to be compared to the Close Combat series. While it may be good to be associated with a great series, don't let the association make you think that this is the same bag of tricks. While the Close Combat series has remained relatively unchanged since the beginning, Sudden Strike brings a fresh new perspective to the genre. While not wholly accurate historically and realistically, the amount of depth in Sudden Strike shouldn't be taken lightly.
Sudden Strike can be played from 3 different sides in campaign mode: Allies, German or Russian. While each side is different, the basic unit mix is your standard fare of tanks, infantry and repair vehicles. Also available are Single Missions, where you can jump into an instant action/skirmish mode.
The one thing that I always thought that was missing from Close Combat series was aircraft - namely paratroopers, supply drops and especially bombers. All three are accounted for in Sudden Strike. Be careful where you order your planes though, as enemy anti-aircraft fire can easily bring down your much needed supplies.
Sudden Strike does have a nice mix of other units that aren't normally seen in this type/era of game. Depending on your mission, you may or may not have a varying number of special units to use, such as bombers or spy planes. Your supply of planes at your disposal is limited and planes can be ordered in single craft up to 5 planes at a time. Bombers are especially valuable, and quite destructive.
Graphically, Sudden Strike ranges from plain standard graphics to incredibly detailed. Terrain is well rendered, while units are fairly bland (compared to a game like Age of Empires, but better than those in Close Combat series). Building detail is exquisite, and units can occupy each building - which is another nice twist. Players can have building-to-building fighting, and each can be destroyed. Units can also take over and use enemy equipment if the correct personnel are selected. For example, infantry can take over anti-tank guns when the enemy crew is killed.
With all the different units available, it is rather disappointing that damage modeling does not seem to be balanced very well. Many times, I saw one of my heavy tanks taken out by infantry fire - something that really shouldn't happen. This can be especially frustrating when attempting to assault units that are dug in or hidden, and you know that you shouldn't have to worry about a few stray bullets taking out your heaviest offensive vehicles. More believable, though is the worry of mines. Infantry have the ability to lay and sweep for a minefield, and BOTH are essential to the road to victory. Some missions require you to wipe out an enemy column of vehicles and mining the roadways is quite effective in accomplishing the task.
Sudden Strike has no unit building. Another thing that it has in common with Close Combat and even Combat Mission. You are assigned a number of units at the start, and occasionally, are given reinforcements in either men or vehicles, and can sometimes call in paratroopers to aid your cause. Thankfully though, you only have to worry about battling the enemy, and not the interface. While some recent games try to reinvent the wheel, Sudden Strike takes what gamers are already familiar with and uses it. Right click to move, left click to select, double click on a single unit to select all units of that type on screen. It's all standard and easily accessible to veterans, and a short learning curve for new players.
Sudden Strike shares a lot in common with the Close Combat series. However, unlike the Close Combat series, battles can become QUITE large. Instead of a few groups of units, you can control individual units in Sudden Strike. Large enough that the game would be better off as a turn based title - as in literally hundreds of units to command. Thankfully though, players can pause the game at any time and issue orders to units.
Players going into this game knowing that it's more arcade-like than accurate as far as damage model and such will thoroughly enjoy this. Players wanting a more simulation type and accurate style might do better with the Close Combat series. But ANYONE looking for a fun, action-packed strategy game will definitely enjoy Sudden Strike.
