Combat Mission Black Sea on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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Combat Mission Black Sea is a military grade simulation depicting a fictional series of escalations between Russian and Ukraine which results in open conflict in the summer of 2017

Combat Mission Black Sea is a simulation, strategy and wargame game developed by Battlefront and published by Matrix Games.
Released on January 21st 2021 is available only on Windows in 5 languages: English, French, Italian, German and Spanish - Spain.

It has received 528 reviews of which 445 were positive and 83 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. 😊

The game is currently priced at 60.86€ on Steam, but you can find it for 5.79€ on Eneba.


The Steam community has classified Combat Mission Black Sea into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Combat Mission Black Sea through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • OS *: Windows 8
  • Processor: Pentium IV 1.8 GHz or equivalent speed AMD
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 256 MB VRAM or better and must support 1024x768 or higher resolution in OpenGL
  • Storage: 13 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX 10 compatible Sound Card (Windows only)
  • Additional Notes: The game does not work in a virtualized environment (virtual machine)

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Feb. 2026
Having played Shock Force 2 first, I would say that in comparison, Black Sea is a weaker game, despite the potential that the setting holds. This is for two reasons: firstly, it has far less content in terms of scenarios and campaigns than SF2, and this is sorely felt. There are maybe 1/3 of the scenarios that SF2 has. Also, the game is lacking some content in terms of units and forces that you might expect- no airborne forces, no irregular militia, which would both add interesting variety to the game, and other CM titles have. The second big issue with this game, for me, is that the map design is just overall subpar. It doesn't feel aesthetically authentic to eastern Ukraine, first of all, and also the terrain is sort of bizarre and unrealistically designed, which matters a lot in a game where the terrain dictates how the battle will play out.. This is weird to me, because SF2 has excellent map design. This second issue is a huge shame because this seems like something that could have been pretty easily rectified during development: I just don't think that the devs were focused on recreating the battlefields that this game purports to be set on, with any sense of realism or authenticity. All that being said, BS is not a horrible game and these issues don't stop me from playing it.
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Jan. 2026
Combat Mission: Black Sea is a demanding and highly detailed tactical wargame developed by Battlefront and published by Matrix Games that explores modern near-peer warfare with an intensity and realism few games attempt. Set in a fictional but unsettlingly plausible conflict in Eastern Europe, the game imagines a large-scale clash between Russian, Ukrainian, and NATO forces during the late 2010s. Rather than sensationalizing modern warfare, it presents it as fast, lethal, and deeply unforgiving, emphasizing how technology, doctrine, and information dominance shape outcomes long before units exchange fire. At its core, the game uses the Combat Mission series’ signature approach to tactical combat, offering both real-time play and the WEGO system, where orders are planned and then executed simultaneously during a fixed action phase. WEGO mode, in particular, defines the experience by forcing players to think ahead and accept uncertainty. Once the clock starts, units act on their orders regardless of how the situation evolves, capturing the friction and chaos of real command. This design choice makes reconnaissance, timing, and positioning absolutely critical, as mistakes cannot be instantly corrected and often result in catastrophic losses. What truly distinguishes Black Sea is its modeling of modern battlefield technology. Units are equipped with advanced optics, thermal imaging, drones, precision-guided artillery, electronic warfare capabilities, and active protection systems, all of which dramatically affect how engagements unfold. Spotting the enemy first is often decisive, and forces caught in the open can be destroyed at long range before they have a chance to react. Infantry are vulnerable without cover and support, armor is powerful but far from invincible, and combined arms coordination is not optional but essential. The game conveys just how compressed and lethal modern combat has become, where seconds and meters can determine victory or defeat. Infantry behavior is governed by morale, training, fatigue, leadership, and suppression, making troops feel like human elements rather than expendable counters. Units may hesitate, break, or refuse orders under heavy fire, while well-led formations can maintain cohesion and continue fighting under extreme pressure. Vehicles simulate armor penetration, internal damage, and crew effectiveness, creating tense armored engagements where even advanced tanks must respect threats from infantry anti-tank weapons and artillery. Losses are meaningful, and reckless tactics are punished quickly, reinforcing the importance of disciplined maneuver and careful planning. Terrain plays a central role in shaping every battle. Urban environments, open fields, rivers, forests, and rolling hills all influence line of sight, engagement ranges, and movement options. Cities become deadly mazes where infantry clearing operations must be methodical and supported, while open terrain rewards reconnaissance and long-range fires. Weather and lighting conditions further complicate operations, affecting visibility and sensor effectiveness. Every map feels like a complex tactical problem where terrain must be read and exploited rather than simply crossed. The game offers a substantial amount of content through multiple campaigns, standalone scenarios, and a flexible Quick Battle system. Campaigns place players in challenging operational situations where force preservation and long-term planning matter, while standalone scenarios offer focused tactical puzzles. The inclusion of a powerful editor greatly enhances replayability, allowing players to create custom scenarios or explore alternate engagements using the game’s deep simulation tools. This flexibility ensures that the experience remains fresh long after the initial content is completed. Visually, Combat Mission: Black Sea favors function over modern polish. The graphics are serviceable and clear, prioritizing battlefield readability and information density over cinematic presentation. The interface is dense and can feel intimidating to newcomers, requiring time and patience to learn. However, this complexity reflects the depth of the simulation, and once mastered, the interface provides exceptional control over units and access to critical tactical information that few other games offer. The artificial intelligence is capable and often punishing, particularly when exploiting exposed units or poorly planned advances. While experienced players may eventually identify patterns, the AI generally provides enough resistance to make engagements tense and rewarding. Multiplayer further elevates the experience, as human opponents bring unpredictability and force even greater care in planning and execution, fully showcasing the strengths of the WEGO system. Combat Mission: Black Sea is not designed for casual players or quick sessions. It demands patience, study, and a willingness to accept failure as part of the learning process. Battles are slow, losses are brutal, and success often comes only after careful analysis and adaptation. Yet for players who embrace its depth, the game delivers one of the most authentic and intellectually challenging representations of modern ground combat available. It stands as a sobering, methodical, and deeply engaging simulation that rewards thoughtful command and offers a rare glimpse into the complexity and danger of contemporary warfare. Rating: 8/10
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Oct. 2025
Very interesting setting but unfortunately abandoned by the devs. Too little content and extras in comparison to Shock Force 2.
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Sept. 2025
Awesome game! To those who are missing more DLC's, there si a lot of user made scenarios. I have a huge library of campaigns and battles. To those that have very low FPS. Maybe a fix for you. Please double check which GPU you are running the game. In the beginning I ran the game on my integrated card AMD, and got very low FPS. You have to manually choose to run the game with your other card via pc settings.
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May 2025
I bought this game a while back, with expectations that I'm not sure were even in the same ballpark as what this game provides. Over the past few weeks I've come back to and it *really* realized what (I think, at least) makes it good, and what makes it not appealing at all. You get what you put in. There's other games/simulators like this, janky, low end graphics, obtuse UI and no real hand holding. The bread and butter isn't in the graphics, it's not in any kind of story (although the writing in some of the briefings isn't half bad imo), and it's definitely not in any kind of instant gratification. The bread and butter is in the time, research, and effort that you put into this game, and other CM titles. It's what I'd call a "dad game" or "grandpa game". It's niche, it's kinda boring, no one really gets it at first glance. But your old man has spent your entire childhood neglecting you to star at these pixel troops shooting javelins and pixel Russians. This game is for the people that it's made for, and if you aren't one of those people, you're probably not gonna like it. This game is a true virtual exercise in Cold War era military strategy, or at least as close as we can currently get. tl;dr If you read military manuals for fun and get excited when some War Thunder player leaks top secret tank specs, this is your game. 10/10 would recommend for those that "get it"
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Frequently Asked Questions

Combat Mission Black Sea is currently priced at 60.86€ on Steam.

Combat Mission Black Sea is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 60.86€ on Steam.

Combat Mission Black Sea received 445 positive votes out of a total of 528 achieving a rating of 7.91.
😊

Combat Mission Black Sea was developed by Battlefront and published by Matrix Games.

Combat Mission Black Sea is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Combat Mission Black Sea is not playable on MacOS.

Combat Mission Black Sea is not playable on Linux.

Combat Mission Black Sea offers both single-player and multi-player modes.

Combat Mission Black Sea offers both Co-op and PvP modes.

There is a DLC available for Combat Mission Black Sea. Explore additional content available for Combat Mission Black Sea on Steam.

Combat Mission Black Sea does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

Combat Mission Black Sea supports Remote Play Together. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.

Combat Mission Black Sea is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Combat Mission Black Sea.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 11 March 2026 08:12
SteamSpy data 14 March 2026 02:34
Steam price 16 March 2026 04:34
Steam reviews 15 March 2026 15:55

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Combat Mission Black Sea, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Combat Mission Black Sea
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Combat Mission Black Sea concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Combat Mission Black Sea compatibility
Combat Mission Black Sea
Rating
7.9
445
83
Game modes
Multiplayer
Features
Online players
10
Developer
Battlefront
Publisher
Matrix Games
Release 21 Jan 2021
Platforms
Remote Play
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