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Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines is a real-time tactics game developed by Pyro Studios and released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows. Set during World War II, the game puts players in control of a small squad of elite Allied commandos, each with unique abilities, as they carry out sabotage missions deep behind enemy lines. With its emphasis on stealth, timing, and precision, Commandos became a genre-defining classic and a cult favorite among strategy fans.
Unlike traditional RTS games that focus on large armies and base building, Commandos challenges players to complete missions with just a handful of specialized soldiers. The Green Beret, Sniper, Driver, Sapper, Diver, and Spy each play a crucial role in executing complex plans where one mistake can mean instant failure. Whether sneaking past enemy patrols, planting explosives, or disguising yourself in enemy uniforms, every move must be carefully calculated.
The missions are set across beautifully crafted, isometric maps inspired by real WWII locations, from icy Norwegian bases to North African deserts and French coastal towns. The attention to detail, combined with ambient sounds and period-appropriate visuals, creates an immersive wartime atmosphere.
Critics praised Commandos for its intense difficulty and rewarding gameplay, though it is not a game for the impatient. Success requires observation, planning, and trial-and-error — qualities that appealed to hardcore tacticians. The game’s unique mechanics influenced future titles in the stealth and tactics genres and helped spawn several sequels and expansions.
Today, Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines remains a standout in the tactical strategy world. Whether you're revisiting it for nostalgia or experiencing it for the first time, the game’s blend of stealth, strategy, and tension-packed action delivers a timeless challenge that still holds up more than two decades later.
