Impressions Games both published and produced D-Day: The Beginning of the End, so named for the pivotal battle in World War II where the German downfall began and the close of the war drifted within sight. D-Day: The Beginning of the end was released in the middle nineties and was mostly played on home systems such as the PC running the MS-DOS operating system. It is a strategy and simulation game that is historically based and plays only within the context of this specific battle.
It is a turn based game.
In D-Day: The Beginning of the End, the user has a choice of playing as either the axis or allies, the two opposing forces in the battle. The gameplay uses the formerly well-known Impressions’ war gaming system known as Micro Miniatures. The gamer will take control of all the units under his command on the field and will give each one orders individually at the start of each one of his turns. It is also possible for him to control an individual unit and partake in individual battles for a little added excitement. At the beginning of each turn, the user will issue order to his units, whether it be
to defend their position, attack the enemy, or move into a flanking maneuver. The computer will then do the same thing for its units and the turn will play out. The gamer will have to have sound tactical strategies in order to succeed, meaning that he will have to predict some of the artificial intelligence’s moves instead of react to them.
There are many factors within the game that will make the strategies more interesting. Terrain will play a huge factor in each individual battle, just as it would in real life. High ground, for instance, is easier to defend. Gravel roads are easier to move on then dense forests, but also provide little defensive cover. The user will also have to battle issues with his units, such as fatigue or lack of morale. He will have to carefully allocate his movement points to avoid hanging his units out to dry and will have to accurately gauge the fortifications of the enemy before attacking with a small force.
There are a lot of things to consider with each turn, and the gamer will have to make the most of each different unit…which are also varied and reflective of the D-Day battle. Different types of units are portrayed by initial letters. The rest of the graphics, and also the sound, is virtually non existent, and unnecessary for game play. Overall, this is a sound reenactment of one of the greatest battles in history.
