I tried to get into GT Operation Star and Mius Front (I have both). I still play them on occasion but tactical combat is lackluster. Combat Mission is king when it comes to tactical combat.
The appeal in GT with the AI lessening micromanagement is there and it is a plus, but I feel like the game is abstracted too much. It becomes almost like an arcady simulation with mortars setting up and firing at a moments notice etc. Even on "simulation setting".
The strategic map doesn't really add much in GT either.
Combat Mission is the better game in my opinion, albeit the micromanagment in the bigger scenarios can make it a chore. I wish there were a way to give general orders to an AI computer to at least advance etc in formation instead of indivudally clicking and placing units, but oh well.