Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943
A turn-based wargame of the 1943 Battle of Kiev.
It was among the earliest wargames to utilize graphical mouse-driven interfaces on platforms such as the Macintosh and IBM PC compatibles, and also featured network play for head-to-head multiplayer battles.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Panther Games
- Designer
- David O'Connor
- Programmer
- Tony Oliver
- Ben Freasier
- Hugh Fisher
- Steve Adam
- Released
- Version one - 1988; Version two - 1989
- Genre
- Computer wargame
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- MS-DOS
- Mac OS
- Atari ST
- Amiga
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Fire-Brigade is a turn-based strategic and tactical wargame offering flexibility and advanced functions. Players can compete against the AI or another person via modem or cable in four scenarios, assuming control of either German or Soviet forces. A comprehensive reporting system and realistic staff support are provided. Players direct combat, logistics, and air commitment support values to allocate supplies, reinforcements, and combat assets. Intelligence on enemy forces can be gathered, and movement and attack orders issued at micro or macro levels. Unit frontage can be set to narrow, medium, or broad, while the AI executes orders within variable parameters such as morale, troop quality, and fatigue. The game manual includes a 15-step recommended sequence of play.
Reception
Computer Gaming World described Fire-Brigade as a milestone for computing wargames in terms of sophistication, intended for the thinking player. A 1991 survey by the magazine gave it three and a half stars out of five, while a 1993 survey awarded two-plus stars. The magazine scored it 70 out of 100 and ranked it the 4th Top Sleeper of All Time in its November 1996 15th anniversary issue. Mike Siggins, writing for Games International, gave the game 5 stars out of 5, calling it a watershed in simulation design. The editors of Game Player's PC Strategy Guide gave Fire-Brigade their 1989 Best PC Military Strategy Game award, stating that no other game had simulated the Eastern Front as successfully. The game is part of the historical collection at Museum Victoria in Melbourne, documenting Apple Inc.'s contributions to computing. It also won the 1988 Charles S. Roberts Award for Best 20th Century Computer Game and the 1989 Apple Developers Award for Best Entertainment Package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943?
Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 was developed by Panther Games.
What platforms is Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 available on?
Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 was released for MS-DOS, Mac OS, Atari ST and Amiga.
Who designed Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943?
Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 was designed by David O'Connor.
Is Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 single-player or multiplayer?
Fire-Brigade: The Battle for Kiev - 1943 offers single-player and multiplayer play.
More in Turn-Based Strategy Games of the 1980s
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