101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy is a 1998 computer wargame developed by Interactive Simulations and published by Empire Interactive.[1] Key members of the team had previously worked at Random Games, developer of Soldiers at War and Wages of War.
| 101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Interactive Simulations |
| Publisher(s) | Empire Interactive |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | October 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based tactics, computer wargame |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy is a turn-based computer wargame that simulates combat at the squad level, in a manner that has been compared to games such as X-COM. The game recreates the 101st Airborne Division's use of paratroopers during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II.[2]
Development
101 was developed by Interactive Simulations, Inc. (ISI),[1] a team started by former members of Random Games, creator of Soldiers at War and Wages of War.[2] ISI president Tim Brooks said that he founded the studio to obtain "more control over deciding what went into the game and what didn't go into the game."[3] 101 was released in October 1998.[4]
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Computer Games Strategy Plus |   [5] |
| Computer Gaming World |  [6] |
| GameSpot | 8.8/10[2] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 80%[1] |
| PC Gaming World | 4/10[7] |
101 sold 10,000 copies in the United States by April 1999, according to Tim Brooks. James Fudge of Computer Games Strategy Plus called the game "semi-popular" by that time,[8] while Wargamer's Mario Kroll dubbed it a commercial flop in 2003. He explained that it had failed to secure the retail shelf space necessary to succeed: "copies of the game weren't available over Christmas after the release, and shortly thereafter its developer went belly-up, completely abandoned by its publisher", he wrote. Kroll noted that 101's distribution issues were part of a trend for less established development teams at the time.[9]
According to Kroll, 101 "received plenty of positive press".[9] CNET Gamecenter, GameSpot and Computer Games Strategy Plus nominated it for their respective "Wargame of the Year" prizes, which went variously to The Operational Art of War I: 1939–1955 and People's General.[10][11][12]
In Computer Games Strategy Plus, David Finn offered 101 a glowing review and hailed it as "probably the first tactical squad level wargame with this scope of realism and detail."[5] William R. Trotter of PC Gamer US was also positive.[1] Writing for GameSpot, Alan Dunkin remarked, "While the scope is limited and the level of detail can intimidate some, 101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy is a winner."[2]
Tim Carter of Computer Gaming World and Ian Marsh of Britain's PC Gaming World were critical of 101.[6][7] Marsh argued that "the gameplay sucks",[7] a complaint largely echoed by Carter: he wrote that the design "might be realistic, but it makes for a lousy game—especially with the incredible number of technical flaws that you are subjected to."[6]
See also
References
External links
- Official site (archived)
- 101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy at MobyGames