Combat Mission: Shock Force

Like most people, I'm not a huge fan of war but I guess it's harmless enough on a computer and Combat Mission: Strike Force represents a good way to experience the strategy of desert battles. Although highly realistic, the game is incredibly difficult and you soon realise the perils of desert combat such as the fact there are few places to hide and a massive line of sight for the enemy.

The game features some several interesting options such as one-to-one infintary representation, land that changes when walked over, and partial artifical intellegence. Graphically, the set-pieces aren't too impressive but the armies and weapons are represented very accurately. The sound isn't amazing, which contributes to an experience that isn't as immersive as I would have liked.