The Star and the Crescent, powered by the most realistic land based real time simulation engine of modern combat available today—the ATF engine—is another historical title from ProSIM, much like their recent The Falklands War: 1982. Set in the Middle East, the title examines the contested lands in and around Israel through an examination of the Arab-Israeli conflicts of the past several decades.

Featuring scenarios from 1956, 1967 (the Six-Day War), and early 1973 (pre-Yom Kippur War), the centerpiece of the game is the Yom Kippur War. The lion's share of scenarios are devoted to this, and unlike previous ProSIM games that set up their scenarios with lengthy expositions, scenarios orders are short and to the point in an effort to make the player better understand the fluid nature of the conflict. The war was a short and brutal one, and the IDF did not have the luxury of creating detailed standing orders, rather strategy was more of reaction to the changing battle. Additionally, some possible future scenarios are included, along with the ability to create your own scenarios.

For treadheads who missed their armor in The Falklands War: 1982 you'll be happy to know that the hallmark of the ATF games is back in full heavy metal force. The Arab- Israeli conflicts were ones that featured the largest tank battles since WWII, and these have been replicated in The Star and the Crescent. The role of the air force also played a huge part in these conflicts, and close air support, along with a brand new modeling of radar systems (from air defense networks to aircraft based), figures strongly in the game.

New features to the ATF engine also include individual buildings and defensive structures, a refined bursting direct fire model, refined iron bomb effects, and all the upgrades to the ATF engine found in the most recent patches. Highlights include the elimination of the DirectDraw issue, direct fire suppression now reflecting the percent kill odds, suppression radius, and target protection value, and more.

Of course everything you already enjoy in your ProSIM games is still present. Real world topographical maps for the ultimate battlefields, the ability to edit and create your own scenarios, a top-notch AI, a well-written and voluminous printed manual, and the ability to play against others.

The Star and the Crescent is available only for the Windows OS and retails for $44.95. You may place an order for the game through the Shrapnel Games' e-store, Gamers Front.

Order now and be one of the first ones to play the game when it ships. You may also download a two scenario demo of the game.