Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Close Combat: The Longest Day places you directly in the heart of World War II’s pivotal D-Day operations, offering a robust tactical experience that balances realism with accessibility. You have the option to command Allied forces storming the beaches or to play as the German Wehrmacht, fortifying bunkers and defending against waves of invaders. Each side features unique units—ranging from American Rangers and Canadian infantry to German Fallschirmjäger—ensuring diverse tactics and replayability.

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One of the standout features in this enhanced remake is the introduction of night battles and the ability to deploy flares, which profoundly alters battlefield tactics. Darkness isn’t merely cosmetic; it forces you to rethink patrol routes, establish perimeter defenses, and time your attacks to avoid ambush. The AI reacts dynamically to low visibility, making scouting and intelligence gathering critical to success.

The campaign scenarios are meticulously crafted, recreating historic engagements from Utah Beach to Cherbourg. Objectives vary from seizing fortified positions to holding key terrain under relentless assault. The pacing encourages thoughtful maneuvering over headlong charges: use cover wisely, coordinate supporting fire, and leverage combined arms to overcome entrenched defenders.

Graphics

Visually, The Longest Day benefits greatly from modern enhancements while retaining the classic charm of its 1997 predecessor. Unit sprites have been redrawn at higher resolutions, lending more detail to infantry uniforms, weapon models, and armored vehicles. Terrain textures—beaches, hedgerows, and ruins—are now crisper and more immersive, making each map feel alive under shifting weather conditions.

Night operations are brought to life through dynamic lighting effects: flares cast stark, circular pools of illumination, revealing enemy silhouettes and casting dramatic shadows. Explosions and muzzle flashes pierce the darkness, creating tactical hotspots where visibility spikes and frantic firefights erupt. These visual cues not only look impressive but also carry real gameplay weight, guiding player decisions in low-light environments.

Subtle animations—troops digging in, artillery smoke plumes, and vehicles traversing uneven ground—add to the sense of a living battlefield. While still rooted in a 2D engine, the artistic direction and improved draw distance create a level of immersion that feels surprisingly fresh. Map details, such as barbed wire entanglements and destroyed buildings, also enhance situational awareness and strategic planning.

Story

Although Close Combat: The Longest Day is primarily a tactical wargame, it weaves a compelling narrative through its campaign structure and mission briefings. Each scenario comes with historical context, detailing the strategic importance of beaches like Omaha and Sword, and highlighting real-world challenges faced by commanders on both sides.

Playing as the Allies, you follow the progression of D-Day’s morning assault through to mission-critical objectives in the French countryside. Briefings include real maps, aerial recon photos, and intelligence estimates, fostering a sense of urgency and authenticity. Conversely, the German campaign offers insight into the Wehrmacht’s defensive mindset—reinforcing coastal defenses, coordinating reserves, and responding to unexpected Allied breakthroughs.

The absence of traditional cutscenes or voiceover narration is offset by detailed after-action reports that recap successes and setbacks. These summaries reinforce the human dimension of war by acknowledging unit losses, valorous stands, and equipment failures. This approach keeps the focus squarely on battlefield decisions while still conveying a broader historical narrative.

Overall Experience

Close Combat: The Longest Day delivers a satisfyingly deep tactical simulation that appeals to history buffs and strategy enthusiasts alike. The combination of expanded unit rosters, night combat mechanics, and faithfully recreated D-Day operations creates an experience that feels both fresh and respectful of the series’ heritage. Newcomers will appreciate the clear UI and in-game tutorials, while veterans will dive into the fine-grained controls and robust AI behavior.

That said, the game’s steep learning curve can be daunting for players unfamiliar with real-time tactical wargames. Micro-managing squads, adjusting formation stances, and interpreting fog-of-war limitations require patience and practice. While the visual upgrades are welcome, some may still find the underlying 2D presentation less immediately arresting compared to modern 3D war simulations.

Ultimately, The Longest Day stands out as a thoughtfully enhanced remake that honors its classic roots while introducing meaningful innovations. Whether you’re reliving historic Allied offensives or testing your defensive mettle as the Wehrmacht, you’ll find plenty of strategic depth and period detail to keep you engaged for hours. It’s a compelling purchase for anyone seeking a challenging, historically grounded tactical warfare experience.

Retro Replay Score

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