Armored Brigade (video game)

Armored Brigade
Developer(s)	Juha Kellokoski
Publisher(s)	Slitherine Software
Designer(s)	Juha Kellokoski and others
Engine	custom
Platform(s)	Windows
Release	2008
Genre(s)	Real-time tactics
Mode(s)	Single-player

Armored Brigade is a freeware real-time tactical wargame, focusing on realism and playability. The game was released in 2008, and the most recent was released in 2011 and is still being actively developed.

Players control individual tanks and vehicles from a top-down perspective, on a zoomable map. Infantry are mostly in squad/section sized units. The whole force under a players control range from platoon level upwards depending on battle options.

The games are currently single player played against the AI.

Gameplay

File:ABrigade 2011-01-20 00-38-02-03.jpg

Soviet Rifleman advance on a town supported by an artillery smokescreen. The game represents units by NATO symbols when zoomed out and unit graphics when zoomed in.

June 18th, 1987. Across a birch-dotted valley somewhere in Eastern Europe, a line of US APCs nervously scurry. The friendly scout teams on the wooded slopes ahead hear the rumble of thunder first, but by then it's much too late. Two MiG 21s are overhead in an instant, cluster bombs tumbling from their wings as they pass. In the welter of detonations, three APCs shudder to a halt. The surviving vehicles race for the treeline and disgorge their passengers while Vulcan mini-guns spew leaden fury at the fast-fleeing aircraft. The first exchange in a typically tense Armored Brigade battle.

Eurogamer

Armored Brigade simulates modern combined-arms combat from platoon to regiment\brigade level from a top-down perspective. At the moment, the only era represented is hypothetical WWIII scenario in 1987. Sides available are USSR, USA, FRG and Finland.

Players can control individual vehicles, platoons and companies. Infantry are mostly in squad/section sized units.

Unit morale, experience level and fatigue, command delay, a wide set of weapon and vehicle parameters are all taken in account to produce realistic combat simulation.

A wide range of orders are available supplemented by a set of SOP, like different rates of fire, engagement ranges and dismount policy. Furthermore, units can be organized in one of 9 formations with customizable spacing between individual vehicles.

Maps are randomly generated - either by a built-in map generator with a number of different settings or by an external tool like Terragen (from version 0.704a). Their size can vary from 2x2 to 15x15 kilometres. Different terrain sets for summer, autumn, winter seasons are available. Also included are desert, tropical and "nuclear wasteland" sets.

The game features dynamic time of day and variable visibility, wind and ground conditions.

The games are currently single player played against the AI. AI is able to analyse terrain both in offensive and defensive operations, and conduct manuevers according to one of predetermined routines - Armored, Mechanized or Infantry with emphasis placed on the corresponding unit type.

Reception

The game has been widely praised by critics, even in its still early incarnation. It has been favourably compared to Steel Panthers, Combat Mission Series and the Close Combat series. CVG said "hides convincing Cold War combat drama under unassuming 2D top-down visuals."

Modding

From 0.697c onward all data base entries are externalized in XML format and thus are open for modding. Small mods are already available at official forum and more can be expected as game reaches version 1.0

External links

• Official Site
• Review from Finnish Site (via Google Translate)
• Game Review
• "Armored Brigade", A Free Wargame that Mixes the Best into Something Unique