Little Kitty, Big City
Little Kitty, Big City
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Game2014
Close Combat - Gateway to Caen
Developer Matrix Games
Close Combat: Gateway to Caen is a great release in the critically-acclaimed Close Combat series. Gateway to Caen focuses on the largest, concentrated British offensive since the Normandy landings in an attempt to penetrate the German lines west of Caen and cross the Odon River to get the stalled advance moving again. From the Steam store page
178 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Lemmy) · newest Sep 26, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
71
Fresh
126 positive · 51 negative
95% range 64–77%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 126 | 51 | 0 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
1 newer reactions are still waiting for a label.
Steam's own rating
Mostly Positive
349 of 497 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What people are saying
Summary pending — the reactions are listed below.
Reactions
60 of 178 · most liked firstI'm Randall Turner, game developer. I'm a CC fanatic since the series' inception. Full disclosure, you can see from my MobyGames profile that I'm credited on the last Atomic developed version, CC5 - (for what amounted to being a glorified playtester with an engineering degree, heh!) I hate to say this but to me, this game is unplayable. They've removed too many of the informational and control elements you need to manage your units effectively to the point that, as other reviewers have said,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I got this game because I played the previous CC series (I-V). This game, for some reason (haven't quite put a thumb to it yet), doesn't have the same feel as the previous ones (CC I-V). But that's not what's annoying me most about this game, it's the pricetag. What the heck is going through the publisher's mind putting this kind of price tag for such a dated game and technology? Are they banking on nostalgia?
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is the greediest company in the Steam store, selling 20 year old crap at an obscene price, pigs vomit, stay way from Slitherscum, the bottom feeders ban you when you say anything negative.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the game is beautiful, just like all the other Close Combat modules. However, the game engine appears to be even worse than I remember it in ca. 2001 AD. You will ambush the enemy....but he will always know where you are. You will dig in deep....the enemy will be in an open field. He will wipe you out in the shootout. I really loved this game in the past, now I must admit, it isn't worth playing. And I say that with a heavy heart...
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Edit: Went back; was too generous. The AI in particular is intolerably poor. TL;DR: Gateway to Caen's a better version of the older CC games. It's worth buying, but only if you can get past the many, many irritating problems it has. Finishing the campaign feels like reaching the summit of Everest to find it wrapped in cloud; a great deal of difficulty overcome, an achievement undoubtedly reached, but disappointment souring the pleasure. It's not worth getting - unless you can live with its…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As I write this review I am sitting in the middle of a game.... I redid a map in the campaign the first playthrough I tried to go a little aggresive. The enemy was setup accordingly took over my tanks then continued to run through the map. I now have setup more defensively and now the enemy hasnt moved to take any location in the last 15 minutes. I really want to love this game. I love the concept and the strategy. The problem is the game development is absolute garbage. It is not that the AI…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As an old fan of the CC series I was hopeful when I purchased this on sale for $15. Unfortunately, this is worse than the best of the old CC series. Two simple examples: (1) you no longer see any information about your units like ammo supply; (2) you no longer get to build up your troops from one battle to the next (e.g. the ability to create elite units).
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not recommended due to the extremely poor AI. The AI rarely moves it's troops which means there are no strategy or tactics to talk about. You sneak from building to building only to find out that the AI still havent moved from it's starting location, except for possibly a few of it's units. I tested the AI by simply placing all my troops in one area of the map, selecting them all, gave one single order to move fast (rushing) straight to the AI start location. My only other action was to start…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →How is the AI still so bad in these games? I mean, it's awful. Outnumbered 3:1 in a map you're defending on? Be prepared to sit for whatever time limit you've set the missions to while the AI waits for you to attack.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →CC: Gateway to Caen is a fantastic top down view WWII RTS that sticks to the original formula that made fans fall in love with the series back in the 90's. There have been several games in the CC series and Gateway to Caen is the latest. It has some improved visuals making the game look better than ever. You can choose between single battles, operations or longer campaigns, which will show you a map where you can move your forces around and designate which battle group will receive air,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Simply the best! Been playing Close Combat since 1995 and I love this game! Friend me for a Grand Campaign!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In about 10 hours of play I encountered AI tanks shooting through builiding corners, precisely mortaring positions with no LOS, one shotting tanks from the front with flamethrowers, base AI Shermans frontal one shotting Tiger Is, moving AI Churchills one shotting stationary, hull down Mark VIs and AI planes targeting tanks in narrow alleys (sucessfully and with no prior LOS). Every first shot (and most second) of any player AT weapon is a certain miss, almost every AI first shot is a hit. AI…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I go back all the way to the original Close Combat (CC1) all those years. I immensely enjoyed the series all the way up to CC3. I figured I would give the newer incarnations a chance. Sadly, while I enjoyed reliving the good ol' days. I have to say I've been plagued with crashes. This just makes playing frustrating. Even got an out of memory error while playing. I haven't seen one of those since Windows 95 came out. It certainly seems this series peaked at CC3. Graphics and game play haven't…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Nothing new, still using same old look as the serie did in the 90s but whit over all worser game play, If you want a good close combat game get "Close Combat V: Invasion Normandy" its 15years older and run better and is alot more fun, as a bonus it can be easy modded to any of the CC games included this one.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Let me preface with saying I have been playing the Close Combat series for more than 20 years, starting with A Bridge Too Far. With that said, this is another expensive and disappointing sequel. Some of the worst AI I have encountered and the game play is very frustrating. It is impossible to set up ambushes as the AI can see your units no matter what. It does not matter if you have a single AT team in a building, behind another building, behind hedgerows, set to ambush and hundreds of meters…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As many reviewrs wrote already, I am a great fan of CC series. Well, umm... except this one. The original ones were both original, grafically ok, realistic, thrilling and big replay potential. I do not think it is quite a must to come with new ideas or even do revolution changes in a title, which works perfectly. BUT: GtC does not bring anything new after those looooong years (of course apart from better resolution). Well it probably does, but I cannot recall anything, so basically nothing…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Blimey, how come the price of close combat games has risen, when the quality of the games has sunk, and there are no updates to craphics nor gameplay. I keep remembering bridge too far as the ultimate war simulator fought with combat groups, but GtC is just horrible. Were there actually piat units in WWii? seriously they take 10 shots to destroy armor, and they generally have 6-8 ammo. There is exception ofc, if the enemy has piats, they are devastating. Mostly because your own armor tend to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Get Graviteam tactics - operation star instead. More details, bigger battles, better AI than this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I like the Close Combat series, but this entry is the weakest of the bunch. Many of the entries have questionable issues with your units' line of sight, but this one has all of your units being nearsighted to the point of ridiculous. I've had entire companies get wiped out, having never seen the enemy, despite them being mowed down by machine gun fire (I can attest, if you are taking machine gun fire, everyone from miles about knows where it is). For this alone, avoid this game. Get any of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played Close Combat : Last Stand Arnhem and then went on to play this. The differences are jolting. Whereas, with CCLSA you could have a team in a building getting shot at for 5 minutes before one soldier was injured. In CCGTC the whole team will die within a minute. Crawl across open ground in CCLSA and you'll be fine. Try that in CCGTC and you'll be toast. So many little things like the above turn the whole experience on its head. Anyhow, its still the same poor AI, same poor fixed…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Fanatical | Steam] Tabletop Battles Bundle (Close Combat series and more) | €1.50 / item or less. A BYOB bundle with each item you choose priced at €1.50 or less. This is a particularly good deal if you're interested in the classic tactical wargame series Close Combat as I don't think these games have ever been bundled at a price as low as this before. Pick from: Battle Academy Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front Close Combat - Gateway to Caen Close Combat : Panthers in the Fog Close Combat:…
unlabelledView post →Still worth playing in 2025. The post 2008 (Matrix) remakes are better than the originals in AI, path-finding, animations, graphics and multi-layer options. they are usually better at joining the tactical and strategic maps to make the campaign flow as well. Buy them here or at Matrix whichever has a sale on (when you buy @Matrix you will will still get a STEAM key and an option for a physical disc).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is good but there are some stupid problems that devs never fixed 1. The RNG is really stupid. It's okay if you use mortal or machine gun. But tank fight? Your tanks (veteran level) can miss 4 shots / row and enemy tank can do 1 hit 1 kill your tank (same level) 2. Tanks and vehicles are as slow as turtle. You can not do hit and run tactic. Sometime tanks and vehicles turn around when you want to reverse and the speed is extremely slow so your units are killed easily. 3. Line of sight…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pro: Identical to the old Close Combat games Con: Identical to the old Close Combat games 5/10 play for the nostalgia
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played the boot camp and 1/2 a battle. I could never tell what was going on because the soldiers are too small. Played 2 hours and 9 minutes. 97 online and 32 offline. NO REFUND exceeded 2 HOUR limit by 9 minutes!!!!! Tried to play on a 1920x1080 stuff is way to small. Tried less pixels to enlarge game play IT SHRINKS the use of screen space even if not windowed it puts black strips along the bottom or top. DO NOT GET THIS GAME TERRIBLE UPGRADE!!!! Didn't even play a whole…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Of couse the graphics are dated, but the realism is as close to real human battle field response as you an get. Wait for it to go on sale. Here's hoping that Close Combat, the Bloody 1st (with its 3D engine) will keep this franchise alive....
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →These games were fun when they came out like twenty years ago. I still enjoy them but for triggering fond memories of games past. As newly released ish games seeking full price they are lazy, sloppy crude entries to the war gaming market. I just wish some decent developers got hold of the franchise and updated them properly. The current efforts feel like a school project so maybe by purchasing them you will fund some kids college fund. Avoid unless you want to be reminded of games twenty…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The close combat series is fantastic. CC2:ABTF and CC3:TRF are some of my favourite games of all time. CC4 and 5 started to tank it, but the mods were good. CC - GTC is a shallow "remake" that does nothing to improve on the game engine or terrible AI. These flaws were forgivable in 2000, but not 2018. It's basically just a map pack for one of the old CC games, except these maps are often empty and devoid of fighting, and the brain-dead AI can't navigate them properly. They're like the worst…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love this game just like I have loved every one in the series since th 90's. My only grip with this one is why charge so much. But defiantly worth it on sale
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gateway to Caen good game Close Combat been playing them for years now
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →you can download all the previous titles for free with a first page google search and an iso mount app. and there all ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ace if you know what your geting yourslelf in for. This title is...lacking awe, but they probbley deserved my money for all they have done, i just hope the new title they have in production is a little more.. produced.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I see people here complain about graphics and that its expensive... well pish posh....I havent played a close combat game since A Bridge too far back in 1997...20 years ago.... I played that to death.., Got this in the summer sale and its brought back a flood of memories, Game play is great. I would recommed this game if you played the originals and not too fust about the graphics.... its all about the game play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just finishd my second playthrough this time as the English, totally enjoyable. I'm a long time CC fan and I must say Gateway to Caen is now one of my favorites. If you're a CC fan don't hesitate to spend whatever the price, well worth it! Playing as the English is particularly challenging with the Germans fielding Tigers and Panthers! Not to mentioned basically ALL of their infranty squads get at least one MG34. You only have a few weapons that can take out them Tigers and Panthers, Churchill…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Always fun, but way overpriced! I bought it anyways...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played A bridge too Far about 15 years ago, and now I'm playing Gateway to Caen; in my opinion all the close combat series are the best WWII strategy game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I recently purchased this game as I am a long time fan of the close combat series. PROS: 1-Very realistic. In fact the most realistic war game I have found so far. Infantry have experience, can fear and surrender if not supported by tanks or another flanking squad etc... They can gain experience if they are kept alive from one battle to another... ALSO, if one team gets surrounded, they wont receive resources any more, and their ammo and fuel will deplete from one battle to another if…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Reimagined and cleaned up version of the old Close Combat series of games. Gateway to Caen explores an often forgotten episode of the invasion of Normandy during WW2. New graphics, maps, and gameplay are not quite the nostalgic trip that I was expecting but fun and entertaining none the less. I am have always been huge fan of Close Combat and I still am. Very happy with my purchase and happy to see the legacy continue.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Classic game I played growing up. Fight as either the British or the Germans with a set number of troops. The maps remember the scars of battle, for example if a tank is destroyed on the road expect to see it again next time you try and take that ground. Glad Steam was able to bring it back!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The CC series is always a unique one among all the games I have played. But I have to say that CC5 is still better than this.. maybe it is something called 'personal preference'. It is though, disappointing to see that the graphics remain the same after all these years.. Anyway, I still recommend this game, for it is the only way to support this series now.. P.S. Summer Sale 75% or 80% off, maybe you can wait for a sale..
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My previously bought 'Close Combats' (Normandy, Bridge too far, and the Bulge) unfortunately don't run anymore on these (economically-pushed Windows upgrades ... But I'm really glad I found these newer versions (Gateway to Caen, and Panthers in the Fog) via Steam... :) Using in fact the same Look and Feel. Really glad I could purchase these.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am big fan of the Close Combat series. I have bought and played all the games so far. I saddly cannot recommend this game since it is not working as intended. The new multiplayer lobby is rubbish. When playing multiplayer (as this game is inteded to, since ai always been extremely poor) the game crashed or freezes. I have tried many times and so far never been able to finish more than two battles before the game crashes or freezes. Sadly it also seems like developers have given up fixing the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Since when do battles consist of under 15 soldies total? A complete waste of money and a lazy pathetic remake of a great classic title
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Every Close combat game is a masterpiece except, maybe marines (meant for other intentions) and Bloody first (the whole 3D thing just spoils it a bit didn't need to change the formula that much). I have put hundreds of hours into close combat games playing with my father. playing the games online is not always easy. Caen and Panthers in the fog is much easier than some of the older ones like LSA, WAR, or TLD. Not really many options for online play unless you know someone or get into a forum or…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The best CC game!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game! If Hell Let Loose or Post Scriptum was an RTS, the Close Combat Series would be just the game. Just make sure to get the game on sale though...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The A.I. is my main issue with this game. I tried to play the campaign several times but I always end up stopping. The issue is a few things. 1. If the enemy is supposed to attack and I am supposed to defend, then they should attack. I spent 30 mins waiting for the A.I. to push up the road with their armor, mind you I had a few AT guns set up for an ambush. They never did. Which would be fine if it wasn't for problem 2 2. No time limit. At least one that I am aware of. My issue with with this,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →germans seem to have the upper hand,
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good stuff....... you want to do PvP though that's where it's at
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved this genre drom its first start. Was actually 5th in World Ranking list back in those days... yeah. Now was full of hopes when bought this one and gave it a go... but ffs ! So so many bad things is not done as it should be. 1. Germans have ♥♥♥♥ panzerfausts... why ? 2. Allies have tons of tanks rolling in... really ? 3. Enemy AI shoots like Billy The Kid and it is accurate as hell... why ? 4. Oh those light mortars... they kill every piece of armour I can throw in bushes... BANG and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →AI is so bad it makes this game unplayable
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Old but gold classic strategy game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In my honest opinion, this is my favourite of the series. Visuals and audio is absolutely fantastic. The sound of the MG-42 really invokes fear and often frustration as they seem to be everywhere. The tactical map is fun being Operation Epsom, so lots of mixed unit tactics to play around with here. The only things I seem to re-call having issues with are firstly the price.. Holy ♥♥♥♥, the game is over a decade old now.. This company pump out a lot of strategy games at extremely high prices, a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolutely fantastic game which never dates. Great graphics and up to date equipment for that time period. Never tire of this game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great war game, where you're pitted on a tactical battlefield with an extreme level of realism. To succeed, you need to be patient (yes, sometimes the best strategy is to wait it out on your defensive positions), and you must conduct combined arms operations as they happened in real, historical battlefields. Love it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Compared to the originals, this game looks great. However, the maps are far too large for the 90's AI and the UI is far too small with any resolution above 1080p. Still a fantastic WW2 RTS that a lot of people have forgotten but if you want fast-paced combat in smaller areas, CC2 A Bridge Too Far is the game for you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Only get this game on sale, its a good game like the past Close combats and it also has a campaign map. If you're fan of Last stand at Arnhem or Normandy you probably enjoy this one.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love the Close Combat series, since the original in the 90's versions. I still play the original Battle of the Bulge! Gateway to Caen could have been another good addition, but too many flaws. There are three major flaws that is highly frustrating: Tank AI, troop movement and the bullet/rounds registering. Troops can disable tanks by lobbing grenades now! Before, a squad had to be right on top of a tank to do that. Tank AI: The AI doesn't know the best way to turn the tank. It seems to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There has never been anything like this Great game, nor has anyone replicated the awesomeness of this franchise. Regretfully Bloody 1st sucks, but this older game is still terrific.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In multiplayer, this game "locks up" (freezes) during battles. It frequently will simply 'stop' in the middle of a battle. Numerous times it is when I go to 'aim' at a unit. I've stripped my machine down of all firewalls and defenses to to the internet. I've been told about 'port 1944' needing to be open. Everything is WIDE open and the game is untenable. Despite that, I keep hoping that I stumble across the issue to correct it. Rebooting server after each battle is my next option. How…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Along with this one, I have only played the Close Combat 3 (Cross of Iron version), which for me it is one of the best games I ever played. Basically, is a tactical simulator on a company/platoon level that gives you the opportunity to control and coordenate in a very easily fashion the unit actions on the ground. For me, CC is still the best game ever made on this segment so far, at least for WWII games. Compared to CC3, the main diference is the campaign mode that brings you much more…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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