Combat Mission: Shock Force

Overview

Shock Force depicts fictional battles in 2008 between the Syrian Army and US Stryker Brigades, using the new CMX2 engine with improved graphics and 3D modelling. Infantry is represented with 1:1 modelling, where each soldier appears as an individual animated graphic.

The engine simulates real-world lighting, including sun and star positions, and supports both real-time play and the series' traditional 60-second incremental format. Scenarios draw from US or Syrian Regular Army forces, with Soviet-bloc equipment like AK-47 rifles and T-72 tanks, and also allow "blue vs. blue" or "red vs. red" matchups. Insurgent units are available as a sub-selection, representing guerrilla forces from the Syrian population.

Content

The game shipped in a jewel case with a DVD-ROM and a printed manual. Special Edition versions included a printed full-color poster of Syria with unit dispositions from the "Task Force Thunder" campaign, plus a custom printed mouse pad. Game content comprised a campaign of linked scenarios, pre-made battles, and Quick Battle maps for random play in one or two player mode. A fully operational map and scenario editor, along with a campaign creation tool, shipped with the game.

Expansions

An expansion, Combat Mission: Shock Force - Marines, was released in September 2008, sold directly through Battlefront's website and requiring the base game. It was available by direct download, physical disc, or both, and included the latest patch for Shock Force, which was also offered as a free download to non-Marines customers.

The module added more units, 15 standalone scenarios, a 14-mission campaign, and 25 new Quick Battle maps, introducing United States Marine Corps and Syrian Airborne troops, plus the T-90 tank. Marines received "average" reviews on Metacritic, with IGN calling it "slightly improved." A second expansion on July 29, 2009 brought British Armed Forces, including the Challenger 2 tank and Warrior IFV, plus the US IBCT, a British campaign, and a patch to version 1.20. A third expansion, announced on May 13, 2010, featured German, Canadian, and Dutch forces.

Did You Know?

• GameSpot's review described the game as having 'an inept interface, broken AI, and hideous visuals.'
• GamingShogun, reviewing a later patched version, called it 'one of the most fun battle simulations' they had played.