''D-Day'' is a turn-based strategy computer game for the

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit computing, 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. One of the most influential computers ever made and one of the all-time bestselling British computers, over five million units were sold. ...

released by

Games Workshop Games Workshop Group (often abbreviated as GW) is a British manufacturer of miniature wargames, based in Nottingham, England. Its best-known products are ''Warhammer (game), Warhammer'' and ''Warhammer 40,000''. Founded in 1975 by John Peake ...

, a company known primarily for its tabletop wargames, in 1984.

Gameplay

''D-Day'' is a wargame that simulates the

Normandy landings The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allies of World War II, Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and ...

of World War II. Focusing on platoon-level warfare, D-Day tasks players with commanding units representing various elements of World War II combat, including tanks, artillery, trucks, landing craft, and infantry groups. The game features four detailed scenarios based on historical events: "The Landing", "Breaking Out", "To Arnhem", and the "Arnhem Invasion". Players control individual units using a cursor-based order system. Each scenario is designed for two players, requiring opponents to compete against each other.

Technical implementation

D-Day is written in Basic and lacks anti-copying protection, with the manual providing instructions on how to back up the entire game.

Reception

Roger Kean previewed ''D-Day'' in '' Crash'' #9 (October 1984), calling it "ideal for play-by-mail" and "a classic strategy war game which requires a deal of skill and judgement against another human opponent"."From Tin Soldiers to Computer Games"
'' CRASH'' issue 9, October 1984; retrieved from CRASH The Online Edition Andrew Miller reviewed ''D-Day'' for ''

White Dwarf A white dwarf is a Compact star, stellar core remnant composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. A white dwarf is very density, dense: in an Earth sized volume, it packs a mass that is comparable to the Sun. No nuclear fusion takes place i ...

'' #60, giving it an overall rating of 9 out of 10, and stated that "The mechanics of the game are so simple anyone can play it, but in terms of strategy, ''D-Day'' is second to none."

Mike Singleton Mike Singleton (21 February 1951 – 10 October 2012) was an influential British video game designer who wrote a number of well-regarded titles in the 1980s, as well as being a contributor to games in the 21st century. His titles include ...

reviewed ''D-Day'' for ''

Computer & Video Games ''Computer and Video Games'' (also known as ''CVG'', ''Computer & Video Games'', ''C&VG'', ''Computer + Video Games'', or ''C+VG'') is a British-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004. Its offshoot webs ...

'' #40. The game's presentation is noted to be superb, with a colorful and clear map. The order system was described as easy to use. Mike notes that finding opponents may be difficult, and the length of the game, with each turn taking up to half an hour, may deter some players. Overall, he praises the game for its "high quality". ''Home Computing Weekly'' commented: "Certainly not for the arcade freak. A specialist may appreciate it".

Reviews

*'' Jeux & Stratégie'' #33 *'' Jeux & Stratégie'' HS #3

References

1984 video games Europe-exclusive video games Games Workshop video games Video games developed in the United Kingdom World War II video games ZX Spectrum games ZX Spectrum-only games {{simulation-videogame-stub