Squad Assault: West Front 1.6 demo

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

Action-packed adventure and ample strategic options are the strength of this war-time challenge, yet poor graphics are its weakness. Squad Assault: West Front resembles on many counts the series Close Combat, as you're the head of a command in the heat of battle during World War II. Whether you choose to side with the Axis or the Allies, your challenge is to give orders to a dozen units in three demo battles. Each soldier is equipped with limited ammunition, some food (a health bar) and "morale." While this attribute may seem intangible, it is of critical importance in Squad Assault. If your soldiers are low on morale, they may panic, abandon the front lines or become completely unresponsive. We were impressed with the game's viewing options. One especially inspired point of view is right behind a soldier's shoulder, as if you're running straight into battle with him. However, the game's graphics lacks details, and soldiers as well as terrain lack detail and any colorful texture. The game also could benefit from an engaging soundtrack. While you do get to hear shots and screams of wounded soldiers, a good beat would help keep the action exciting, rather than frightfully morbid. Fans of Close Combat and other real-time military strategy games will surely enjoy Squad Assault.

Publisher's description

From Matrix Games :

June 6th, 1944, the 1st Infantry Division of The United States Army took part in the greatest amphibious invasion in the history of the world. The invasion took place on a long stretch of shale beach in Normandy, France, that would be immortalized as Omaha Beach. Adolph Hitler's dreaded Atlantic Wall would crumble before the weight of the military might of America, England, Canada, and France. Hitler's Nazi empire would crumble a year later, smashed between the Western Allies and Stalin's Red Army. Eric Young's Squad Assault puts you in the role of a company commander on the front lines to lead the crusade to free Europe from Hitler's evil clutches.

This updated demo includes a new scenario (for a total of three), and a number of technical improvements.

More popular Real-Time Strategy Games downloads

1. 10,920 downloads 1. Age of Empires
2. 9,157 downloads 2. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
3. 6,641 downloads 3. Command & Conquer: Red Alert
4. 5,186 downloads 4. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
5. 3,656 downloads 5. Red Alert 2: Apocalypse
6. See all Real-Time Strategy Games downloads