Battlezone II: Combat Commander

It is an amazing game and now you too can have Battlezone II: Combat Commander for FREE!

For those of you that don't want to read the FAQ I have created, you can download the game by clicking the button below and saving the folder to some place you can remember. To run the game, open the bzone.exe file in the folder.



(requires CD)

For those of you with a slightly higher attention span, I HIGHLY recommend reading through this short FAQ I have prepared.

What is Battlezone II?
I'm glad you asked! Battlezone is an FPS/RTS combo. You take the role of a Lieutenant investigating an outpost that was attacked by... well... you don't really know. As you rise through the ranks you not only fight from various vehicles, but you earn control of squads, structures, and eventually entire bases. You can control your entire army from the seat of your tank, the relay bunker (which gives you the old-school RTS, bird's eye view of the battlefield), or just on foot (not recommended).

The game is old... as in an excess of ten years old. While it was top-of-the-line graphics for it's time, it still may not be the most visually appealing games. Still, since when did graphics matter? The gameplay is some of the best I've ever had, so if you can bare to look at a few straight lines, then this game is well worth the time it takes to download.

Interested? You should be. If you want more information, you can watch the trailer here or try Google.

Why would I want such an old game?
It's true. Battlezone II is old. *sad face* Not all is lost, however. The BZ community has been hard at work with keeping the game operational and have created many mods and whatnot to keep players entertained. The graphics are state-of-the-art for it's time. In fact, my friend's new computer can't even run it on full graphics.

And we all know that age does not destroy gameplay. Just take a look at Halo: Combat Evolved, Starcraft, Half Life, maybe even Marathon! Old games rule!

Does it work on Macs?
As far as I know, no. But hey, you should have gotten a PC!

Is there a map maker?
Yes. If you open the Battlezone II directory (it is located wherever you save it to), you will find two executable files: bzone.exe and BZ2Edit.exe. Open BZ2Edit.exe. It will run like it normally does. Go ahead and enter an instant game and, once in the game, press ctrl+E. This will open up the map editor.

Oh, and there's a map on there that I started working on: styx. You can just ignore that, as it does not play. Delete it if you want, mess with it if you want, I don't really care.

NOTE: Be sure not to save over default maps, or they will not work online.

Does it have online multiplayer?
Yes, however you need the most recent patch. Currently, there are two "most recent" patches available. One is built for those who prefer the FPS variant of the game more. The other, as you guessed, is built more for those who enjoy the RTS part of the game and can be found here.

Yes, there are still many people that play online. Odds are, there will be at least five or six games available to play in each time you log on, two or three of which have the v1.3ta5 patch, and two or three that you don't care about.

What types of gametypes are there online?
Strategy (ST) - Two or more bases are fight against each other, trying to destroy the other's Recycler. Each team has a player that acts as the commander (if there is no actual player, it is taken over by a computer player), and any extra players are just pilots. The commander is often overwhelmed by all of the units available so pilots are often given their own squads to command. Some prefer to be a commander, others prefer to be a pilot.

Capture The Flag (CTF) - It's pretty simple, capture the other team's flag.

Strategy Capture The Flag (STCTF) - Same as Capture The Flag, but with bases.

Deathmatch (DM) - a simple free-for-all game where players battle it out from their various vehicles on a small map. I don't play this... ever.

Race (RACE) - Nobody plays race. Basically, you race. Have fun.

Multiplayer Instant (MPI) - This gametype is all about you and some friends trying to beat an incredibly tough AI (like in a Strategy game... but much harder). A decent amount of fan-made maps were designed specifically for this game and make it quite a challenge for a new player.

Can I use mods online?
Yes. The mods that come with the patch can be used online and anyone with the same patch can play that mod with you.

Does it run without the CD?
Yes, so long as it is updated to v1.3 or higher, it works without the use of a physical disk.

I'm not convinced. Where can I try it before I get the full thing?
There is an old demo still available on FilePlanet. You can download it here.

This looks cool! Where can I get it?
You can download the full game, with the 1.3 Public Beta 4 (v1.3pb4) patch already installed, here. The entire file is zipped up, so you'll have to run WinRAR or whatever your computer uses to unzip the file. Save it to somewhere that you will remember, be it in your portable jump drive, your Program Files folder, or My Documents.

When you start the game by running the bzone.exe file located in the folder, you will find that there is already a profile named CivBase in there. I'd prefer you delete it... but whatever. I don't play often enough to be a known member on the community anyways, so have fun!

NOTE: This does not come with the most recent patch, 1.3 Tech Alpha 5 (v1.3ta5), and must be updated before you can play with anyone else using the most recent patch... which is pretty much everyone.

CAUTION: If you do get the Tech Alpha 5 patch, be sure to copy the current folder (with v1.3pb4) and patch it to that. You will want to keep the v1.3pb4 as well (since that lets you play with other people who have that version), so don't loose it. It is generally wise to keep a different folder for each version of Battlezone.

System Requirements (for those of you that REALLY need to upgrade)
- Pentium 200MHz Pentium processor
- 100% DirectX 6.0 or higher compliant 3-D video accelerator card with 4MB of RAM
- 32MB RAM (64MB RAM will be required for certain video cards on lower end systems)
- Windows 95/98 operating system
- DirectX 6.0 or higher (download from Microsoft's web site at "www.microsoft.com/directx")
- 100% Windows 95/98-compatible computer system (including compatible 32-bit drivers for video card, sound card, and input devices)
- 100% DirectX 6.0 or higher compatible sound card
- 100% Microsoft-compatible mouse and driver

Is the download safe?
I uploaded it myself and have downloaded it onto my own computer and my friend's computer. It works fine and is perfectly safe.

Nice game. I want more of the story, though. Where can I get the original Battlezone?
The original Battlezone was once available online, but in anticipation for a new mod coming out on Battlezone II [it allows you to play the original campaign, maps, ect and I will put it on here once it comes out] they took it off. As far as I know, however, the installer still works. I put everything you need into a compressed folder and uploaded it. You can see the trailer here. You can download it here.

Installing the original Battlezone is a little trickier than it's sequel. Because there was no patch that allowed you to play without a disk, someone apparently invented a program called Disc in Disk that allows you to play the game without a CD. After installing the game (by opening the Bz1.4L.exe file in the downloaded folder), you should follow the directions in the ReadMe.txt file (also in the downloaded folder). This will allow you to play without a CD (this last step must be redone before each time playing the game).

I still want more! Are there any really good mods that don't come in the patches?
Yes. There is a well-known mod called Forgotten Enemies (FE for short). It makes absolutely no sense if you haven't played the original Battlezone and is harder than rocks, but it's amazing none-the-less. It has it's own campaign, multiplayer maps, new factions and units, online gameplay, and even a re-modeled menu screen! The problem is, you have to install it to an un-patched version of Battlezone 2. Because of this, I have uploaded the entire game... again... but this time with the mod. You can get this here and see the trailer here.

NOTE: This mod requires a CD. Without the CD, it is useless. If you really want it, I should think it's worth $20 on eBay.

CAUTION: If you do get the Forgotten Enemies mod, be sure to copy the current folder (with v1.3pb4) and add it to that. You will want to keep the v1.3pb4 as well (since that lets you play with other people who have that version), so don't loose it. It is generally wise to keep a different folder for each version of Battlezone.

I want to mod!
That's great! But I can't help you... I suggest trying Battlezone Universe.

This game is either AWSHUM or SO TERRIBLE THAT WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE IT!
If you feel you need to add your two-cents on the game, or there is a problem with your download, post below.

Downloading. Sounds aweome!!

All this and only one response?

I can't get it to play

I go to the name selection bit. Duty Roster, I think. And I can't get any further. There are no buttons!!

Can you take a screen shot?

Well I'm on a diff computer now, so I need to redownload (which I will now). So if I have the same problem after that, will do.

Now 42 views...

Forty-two views, but only two people have said anything...

SAY SOMETHING!

I don't care if you hate it, love it, or are plain too lazy/unable to download it! Just say something!

And Cheese, can I get a screenshot now? Or is it not ready?

It says I have to download something else before I can play the game...

What exactly does it say you have to download?

I'm guessing Direct X, which many computer games run on.

Can you get a screenshot?

Many... many hours to go...

will it work on mah laptop?

It works on my laptop

Is yours a MAC or a Windows?

IT WORKS!!!

You know the thing at the profile select that says 'Enter' or 'Quit'? They weren't there on my other computer.

Windows,

And good, Cheese.

Thread updated with original Battlezone download added and Forgotten Enemies mod on the way.

Tis a fun game

My only comment for now is that humanity is being rather dickish in its battle tactics

'We're taking this planet we only just discovered but you seem to have done a lot of work on!'

'Retreating ey? Well we'll just have to follow and gun you down at your homeworld why not!!'

'What do you mean no useful resources or strategic value? Ok fine... we just want to kill you...'

You'll get it at the end...

The Forgotten Enemies mod has been added.

Okay, I'm interested. Who all downloaded the game? If you did, please post in here and I will add you to the list.

Does it work on Macs?
As far as I know, no. But hey, you should have gotten a PC!

No.....

I'm still waiting to play CrossFire with you...

we start clan?

You got it, NT?

Sure... we could start a clan, but there aren't really any other clans... just a couple dozen people that get on regularly.

They're really good though, and they play together a lot, so yah... I'm sure they'd be thrilled to play in some 'clan' battles.

It appears that the Forgotten Enemies mod only works if you have the CD...

Bummer...

Well, I'll take it off.

I need to dust off my old copy of the original game and see if it works on my laptop. I never finished it, as I never got round to it.

It was good fun though.