Crusade in Europe
DOS - 1986
Also released on: Apple II - Atari 8-bit - Commodore 64
Description of Crusade in Europe
Conflict in Vietnam, Crusade in Europe, and Decision in The Desert are three outstanding wargames, collectively released as "Command Series," remain to this day some of the most well-balanced and fun wargames ever made.
Designed by the powerhouse duo of Sid Meier and Ed Bever, all three games feature innovative real-time play, interesting realistic and hypothetical scenarios, and above all-- excellent computer AI that uses historically accurate strategies, and fun head-to-head mode. Covering the most famous wars in history from World War 2 to Vietnam, these classics belong in every wargamer's collection.
From MobyGames: The first of the "Command Series" of tactical wargames released by MicroProse in the mid-1980s, Crusade in Europe is the descendant of Meier's first wargame, NATO Commander. Meier and Ed Bever, Ph.D., collaborated on Crusade's design, which (along with the game's manual) shows an enormous amount of research and attention to historical detail.
As the title suggests, the game's focus is the European Theater of World War II in 1944-45, and the Normandy Invasion in particular. Although there are only five scenarios, each can be customized through multiple variants (with different initial deployments and reinforcement schedules) and levels of difficulty. Another nice feature is the ability to play using either traditional boardgames symbols or unit icons. Both sides (Allied and Axis) can be played, and two players can play head-to-head in hotseat mode.
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
johnjohn 2018-11-16 1 point DOS version
Crusade in Europe needs no passcode. Just type in "Juno" or "Gold" and it will play. The best experience to be had is the full length fight into Germany (Selection 5), then select (1), which is the only option under (5).
I have the original games in both DOS version and Apple version, plus the manuals. I think the manuals can be had by Googling them, but I'm not sure about that. The manuals are needed to explain the game-play and to give you the Victory requirements to win. Also the manual gives you the approximate date and place (when and where) reinforcements arrive.
This game has all the major units that fought in WW2 in Europe, including 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, 1st Inf Division, etc. The airborne divisions get two drops, but you only control the second drop...the first is approx where they dropped on June 6th, 1944.
It's an addictive game IF you play to become the Supreme Allied Commander, a rank you get after the game is won and you have lost few men in battle and have overrun France and much of Germany. If you lose too many men or are unsuccessful in overrunning France, you'll become a private or whatever, not the SAC!
Enjoy...as I have.
smithrobertk9 2018-07-09 -2 points DOS version
You can google the manual and it has the operational codes. Does anyone know how to modify the .dat files?
Berty 2018-06-03 2 points
The game has copy protection. Its asking me for an operational code. How do I get these...
KC 2018-04-24 -4 points DOS version
The game has copy protection. Its asking me for the operational code for day 9. I have no clue as to what this is or how to answer. The best I can do is watch the demo, not a whole lot of fun.
belial66065 2015-06-06 4 points DOS version
These are some of the best war games ever. Simple to understand and easy game play. I wish some of the people on design teams and company research would figure out that these games have and would have a huge market for some of the war gamers out there. Not everyone plays call of duty.
RolandBP 2015-03-08 0 point DOS version
I loved this game back in the mid-late 1980's along with Silent Service. I had the Atari 64. Silent Hunter 3 and 4 have surpased Silent Service but I have not found another game that surpasses Crusade in Europe for that theatre. If it could be recreated similar to Commander: The Great War in style I would be into it guns blazing.
Spez 2013-02-28 -2 points DOS version
'85 is the year I was born. Everyone below me is OLD. Heh.
AimForMyHead 2012-11-26 0 point DOS version
I spent sooo much time playing this M.U.L.E, and Ultima III one summer that I barely made it outside.
FatManDan 2012-02-24 0 point DOS version
Loved it!
Played it on my old C64.
Imagine what they could do if they remade it with modern graphics and AI.
But noooo.
piacub 2011-05-15 0 point DOS version
It was a great war strategy game. In fact there was not other similar after. They invented de concept of real time strategy game. I hope to find out other similar to use now.
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Buy Crusade in Europe
Crusade in Europe is available for a small price on the following website, and is no longer abandonware. GOG.com provides the best release and does not include DRM, please buy from them! You can read our online store guide.
Game Extras and Resources
Some of these file may not be included in the game stores. For Crusade in Europe, we have the following files:
6 MB (DOS)
Other Releases
Crusade in Europe was also released on the following systems:
Apple II
- Year: 1985
- Publisher: MicroProse Software, Inc.
- Developer: MicroProse Software, Inc.
Atari 8-bit
- Year: 1985
- Publisher: MicroProse Software, Inc., U.S. Gold Ltd.
- Developer: MicroProse Software, Inc.
Commodore 64
- Year: 1985
- Publisher: MicroProse Software, Inc., U.S. Gold Ltd.
- Developer: MicroProse Software, Inc.
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