My impression is that it plays like SL with the computer handling the charts and such.

Is hot seat (multiplayer) supported?
How does it compare to SL (and ASL)?
Is there a skirmish mode where you can build your own teams, pick a map, etc.?
->If yes, multiplayer skirmish Y/N?

Thanks!

Helps to # your questions so added numbers above

1 = Not hot seat, where you use the same computer. The games have real time multiplayer so each player needs to constantly active. Each would need their own computer to give orders and response in real time.

2 = Quite alot. Ive played some ASL and it always seemed the CC series was a good jump to the real time computer vs turn based/hot seat table top

3 = There are scenario editors though you tend to be writing up both sides. Varies by game in the series. There are many mods and alternates around. Some of the games have a point buy system between battles and others have a pick from a pool of troops so there is some unit design.

4 = Multiplayer is one battle map at a time. AFAIK no long term MP campaign though you and a friend good "write" a series of conditioins for a battle who would choose the next map/troops

If I remember right for example in CC2 the campaign is playable even in MP.

Close combat was meant to be a computer ASL, so you can`t go wrong with it