Games Completed 1996-2019

Close Combat Play Order

The Close Combat real time wargames in release order, from the 1996 Normandy original through Bloody First in 2019. Each entry stands alone by battle, so this order follows the series history rather than the war timeline.

Last updated September 30, 2026

Release OrderRecommended

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Series history order. Each battle standalone.

Close Combat 1996 · game Normandy Cobra battles.
Close Combat II: A Bridge Too Far 1997 · game Market Garden.
Close Combat III: The Russian Front 1998 · game Eastern Front 1941 to 1945.
Close Combat IV: The Battle of the Bulge 1999 · game
Close Combat V: Invasion Normandy 2000 · game Overlord landings.
Close Combat: Panthers in the Fog 2012 · game Mortain counterattack.
Close Combat: Gateway to Caen 2014 · game Epsom battles.
Close Combat: The Bloody First 2019 · game First 3D entry. Latest release.

About Close Combat

Close Combat from Atomic Games covers company level World War 2 fights in real time. The first five run Cobra in 1996, Bridge Too Far in 1997, Russian Front in 1998, Battle of the Bulge in 1999, and Invasion Normandy in 2000.

Matrix and Slitherine then remade each classic from 2007 to 2011 as Cross of Iron, Wacht am Rhein, Longest Day and Last Stand Arnhem, before new battles Panthers in the Fog in 2012, Gateway to Caen in 2014, and the 3D Bloody First in 2019. No new title has been announced as of 2026.

Good to know

Play in release order to follow the engine changes, since early 2D morale rules differ sharply from later 32 bit and 3D builds. For a history run instead, sort by battle date from Normandy to the Bulge to Mortain. The modern remakes replace the originals for most players, so picking one version per battle is enough.

Release OrderRecommended

About Close Combat

Good to know

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