Combat Mission Fortress Italy brings players into the intense Sicilian campaign of World War II from July to August 1943, capturing the early Allied offensive against entrenched Axis forces. This lesser-seen theater includes the debut of reorganized American troops facing experienced German and Italian forces in arid, rugged landscapes, enhancing the classic WWII wargaming experience.

Fortress Italy features historically accurate forces from the United States, Italy, and Germany, including elite Italian Bersaglieri, American Rangers, and the Hermann Göring Division. Players can experience four diverse campaigns and 17 standalone scenarios while commanding 38 vehicles and an extensive arsenal unique to the Italian theater.

Gameplay includes mission-based objectives in Real Time or WeGo (hybrid turn-based) modes, with simultaneous, reviewable command execution. Players can engage through single-player, hotseat, or LAN/Internet battles, with added variety from a Quick Battle system that enables custom force selection and flexible battlefield choices. A detailed map and scenario Editor allows full customization for a limitless wargaming experience.

Fortress Italy’s realistic 1:1 unit representation and intricate physics modeling bring life to battlefield engagements, with vehicles and soldiers moving authentically and accurately within the environment. With “soft factors” like experience and morale significantly impacting unit behavior, and AI-powered soldier individuality enhancing Fog of War effects, each engagement is rich with strategic complexity. The game's C2 and Relative Spotting systems realistically simulate each soldier’s unique battlefield view, offering an unmatched tactical immersion in WWII combat.