iM1A2 Abrams is a simulation of the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank for the Windows 95 operating system, developed by Charybdis Enterprises, and published by Interactive Magic (also known as Imagic) in 1997. The game was released as a CD-ROM.
Contents
Gameplay
iM1A2 Abrams is a simulation focusing on battlefield management as a tank commander controlling an entire company of support vehicles including infantry, artillery, and air strikes as well as the players' own tank platoon(s). Mastering the many company commands, and regular use of the real-time updated tactical map is essential for success. The player also has the ability to "jump" to each crew position (commander, gunner, driver) in every M1A2 vehicle on the battlefield and take control of each directly. Three separate fictional campaigns were available to play, taking place in Bosnia, Ukraine, and Iraq, respectively. All of the major eastern and western vehicle types were accurately modeled, and a fictional T-95 main battle tank was added to the mix to create more of a challenge for the somewhat superior M1A2 MBT. It is faster, more resilient, and has a crewless auto-loading turret, allowing for a lower profile and much smaller target. Some people felt this lessened some of the realism, while others appreciated the greater challenge, as most of the enemies encountered are the aging T-72 that must remain stationary to fire its main weapon. The T-95 is found only in the Bosnian campaign.
Reception
The simulation received mostly positive reviews, and made many "top 10" and "Editor's choice" awards, or similar signs of respect in various PC gaming magazines. North American distributions of the game included the red black and white "PC Gamer Editor's Choice" sticker. This was one of Interactive Magic's last releases in a line of military simulations. It has been compared to Microprose's "M1 Tank Platoon II" over the years, due to many similarities in layout and gameplay.