Combat! Volume 3 Arnhem Solitair

From the Publisher:

Combat! is a Tactical level Solitaire-Only board-wargame for man-to-man combat in World War Two. This is the third game in the series of Combat! games that use the same system. This game introduces the British Armed Forces into the system. The game will focus on one of the most well-told moments in the long history of Britain. The fight for Arnhem Bridge. Players will use the actual British army forces that fought at the famed bridge and most hold at all costs. This is a stand-alone game.

The game system uses a unique AI to make for intense combat situations as well as unlimited replayability. You will stand on the defense against a relentless foe. Can you hold on?

There are multiple scenarios covering several stages of the attack on the Arnhem Bridgehead. The results from each scenario will influence the following scenario if you wish to play a campaign game – or play any battle as a stand-alone experience.

Complexity: Medium
Solitaire Suitability: 10 out of 10 – Designed specifically for solitaire play
Time Scale: 30-90 seconds per turn
Map Scale: 10 yards per hex
Unit Scale: Single man per counter; man-to-man combat
Players: One
Playing Time: Three to five hours per scenario

Step into the boots of British paratroopers defending "A Bridge Too Far" with Combat! 3: Arnhem from Compass Games! Designed by Ross Mortell, this standalone installment in the critically acclaimed Combat! solitaire tactical series takes players directly into the brutal urban fighting of Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

Built specifically for 1 player, Combat! 3: Arnhem puts you in command of individual soldiers fighting room-to-room and house-to-house. Featuring an advanced artificial intelligence engine for opposing forces, realistic infantry tactics, high-detail mounted maps, and deep narrative scenarios, this is the ultimate solitaire WWII tactical experience.

Tactical Paratrooper Action at Arnhem Bridge

In September 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division dropped into the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden to seize key river crossings. At Arnhem, a small force of paratroopers reached the north end of the road bridge, holding out against overwhelming German armored and SS forces for days. Combat! 3: Arnhem captures the raw intensity, heroism, and desperation of this iconic World War II engagement.

As the commander of British airborne forces, you control each individual soldier—managing weapons, morale, line of sight, cover, ammunition, and physical wounds across meticulously recreated urban terrain.

Key Gameplay Mechanics & Solitaire AI

• Advanced Enemy AI Engine: The opponent AI reacts dynamically using a sophisticated card-driven system. German squads use real-world infantry tactics—flanking, laying down suppressive fire, throwing grenades, and launching armored counter-attacks based on line of sight and combat stances.
• Individual Soldier Detail: Track named soldiers with distinct attributes, morale levels, weapons, and specializations. Experience realistic tactical mechanics such as weapon jams, running out of ammo, melee brawling, and field medical care.
• Urban Combat & Multi-Story Buildings: Navigate claustrophobic street fighting, multi-level structures, rubble, and barricades with expanded rules for house-clearing, upper-floor sniper positions, and cellar defenses.
• Standalone & Compatible System: Functions as a complete, self-contained wargame, while remaining fully cross-compatible with previous Combat! volumes for endless tactical scenario creation.

BOARDGAMEGENERAL ADVICE

At Boardgamegeneral, Ross Mortell's Combat! series is widely considered the gold standard for modern solitaire tactical wargaming. Combat! 3: Arnhem takes the proven mechanics of earlier volumes and elevates them with the sheer drama of Operation Market Garden.

The transition to urban fighting around the Arnhem bridge creates an unbelievable sense of atmosphere. Every decision matters: moving a paratrooper across an open street can draw lethal enemy reaction fire, while managing limited ammunition during a prolonged siege tests your tactical planning to the limit.

For solitaire wargamers, tactical WWII enthusiasts, or fans of systems like Fields of Fire or ASL, Combat! 3: Arnhem is a high-water mark for single-player wargaming and a mandatory addition to the shelf.

Verdict: An exceptional, highly immersive solitaire tactical wargame. The AI system is top-tier, the production value is outstanding, and the Arnhem setting delivers unmatched narrative tension.