Brigade Commander

1991 video games Amiga games

One of the first real-time strategy games (RTS) - set during Cold War we take part in scenarios about Warsaw Pact attacking the west.

On first glance Brigade Commander looks like any old strategy game - simple map covered with hexes, simple icons to show the units and almost complete lack of sounds. It is the end of Cold War and we can play one of scenarios showing how it would look like if the Warsaw Pact would attack the western Europe. In each scenario we have some units available, there are strategic points defined on the map, there are objectives to meet - nothing unusual. But in case of Brigade Commander it is really worth to take a good look into the options available, because in them there are the a pieces of pure genius.

First of all the units consist of platoons, so when f.e. unit of armoured vehicles is hit by enemy it may lose some of the APCs and thus be unable to transport full platoon of infantry. Yes, some of the units can transport others, and not only armoured personal carriers, also helicopters, in some cases there are also trucks available. Another important detail - the artillery units apart from attacking particular enemy unit can also bombard any given hex within their range, as well as some of them can use their missiles to put up smoke screens or create minefield. There are also support units, that are kept off the map (long-range artillery, planes or helicopters) that can be called for support. And to crown all of it - the whole battle takes place in real time! You can order tanks to move, you can trace their route and they will move as fast as the terrain will let them. At the same time some other units can reload their weapons, prepare to move, load or unload units - all of it at the same time.

Once you take a good look into the details of Brigade Commander or its editor (that allows not only to create maps, scenarios, but also units) you will get hooked for long hours. It was a simple game, one of the early RTS games, that had very flexible engine and plenty of options.

Our rating
★★★★★

Video
★★☆☆☆

Audio
★☆☆☆☆

Playability
★★★★★