Fit check
Is Close Combat: The Bloody First worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- World War II strategy players who want company-level command across three historical theatres
- Tactical players who want to coordinate infantry, vehicles, artillery, and aircraft
- Close Combat fans who want 3D maps with varied terrain and detailed ammunition modelling
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a broad empire-management strategy game rather than battles led at company level
- Players who prefer a small, fixed campaign instead of 36 battles across 11 operations
- Players looking for a fantasy or science-fiction setting rather than World War II campaigns
Our take on Close Combat: The Bloody First
Rather than centering on empire building or a single skirmish map, the game follows one infantry division company through connected operations. Its structure links battles across three theatres, while tactical decisions extend from squad weapons to armoured, artillery, and air support.
What is Close Combat: The Bloody First?
Command a company from the US 1st Infantry Division through linked operations and battles spanning Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy.
The campaign covers 3 theatres, 11 operations, and 36 battles from November 1942 to August 1944. Tactical decisions include combining infantry weapons, mortars, machine guns, armoured vehicles, tanks, anti-tank guns, artillery, and aircraft support. Battles take place across ridgelines, valleys, villages, beaches, mountains, and Normandy bocage. The revised 3D engine adds detail such as specific ammunition types and more realistic movement and projectile physics. The game includes 32 battlefield maps, more than 50 vehicles, over 300 infantry and heavy weapon teams, and more than 100 weapons. Multiplayer features include an integrated lobby and match-making forums.
How Close Combat: The Bloody First plays
- 01Three Theatre Campaigns
- The campaign follows operations in Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy, with 36 battles across 11 operations.
- 02Combined Arms Command
- Company commanders coordinate infantry, mortars, machine guns, armoured vehicles, tanks, anti-tank guns, artillery, and aircraft.
- 03Detailed 3D Battlefields
- Maps cover varied wartime environments, including Tunisian ridges, Sicilian mountains, Normandy beaches, and bocage.
- 04Expanded Military Roster
- The game includes more than 50 vehicles, over 300 infantry and heavy weapon teams, and over 100 weapons.
- 05Integrated Multiplayer
- Multiplayer includes a lobby and match-making forums.
Close Combat: The Bloody First compared to similar games
Xenonauts also focuses on military strategy with persistent soldiers, but it uses small squads in turn-based battles against extraterrestrials and supports technology recovery. Close Combat: The Bloody First instead commands a US infantry company through linked World War II operations across Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy.
Close Combat: The Bloody First: platforms & release
Is Close Combat: The Bloody First worth it?
It is worth it if: world War II strategy players who want company-level command across three historical theatres. Skip it if: players seeking a broad empire-management strategy game rather than battles led at company level.
Where can I download Close Combat: The Bloody First?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Close Combat: The Bloody First's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Close Combat: The Bloody First on?
Windows only.
