User Summary
Close Assault is one of the earliest wargames for personal computers. The program could be played on the TRS-80, Apple II, and Atari 800. Because of the limits on memory, computing power, and graphics, the game included a board, with hexes and counters, which allowed players to keep track of the position of units on the map.
The game itself is a simple squad-level wargame, about as complex as Panzer Leader but with no tanks, vehicles, or special weapons counters. Although the units are squad sized, the computer determined individual casualties for each squad as combat was resolved.
In head-to-head play, Close Assault is meant to be a double-blind game. An extra mapboard and counter sheet could be ordered to allow each player to setup their own map behind a screen or barrier. The single mapboard included in Close Assault is a near carbon-copy of map number three from Avalon Hill's Squad Leader boardgame.
By National Micro Associates