|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
PANZER COMMANDER
Developed by: SSI/Mindscape
(1998)
Genre: World War Two Tanks Simulator
System Requirements: Windows 95, P 166, 32 MB RAM, CD ROM, 130 MB HDD
Space, Mouse or other controller, Supported 3D accelerator card (3Dfx).
OVERVIEW: Here's a cool game idea: an actual World War Two tank sim! In SSI/Mindscape's Panzer Commander, you have the option of driving not one, not two but 24 period tanks!! Everything from the British Matilda to the American Sherman to the Russian T-34.....even the behemoth German Panzer VI- The King Tiger. All beautifully rendered in 3D accelerated graphics and well modeled terrain. Believe me, I couldn't wait to get this game loaded and fired up!
While Panzer Commander may be the "King Tiger" of World War Two tank sims (iPanzer '44 being the other tank sim- and not as good graphically or as comprehensive as Panzer Commander) it's not without some issues. First off- NO INFANTRY!! Now any tanker (especially in World War Two) would tell you that tanks not supported by infantry are pretty vulnerable to small groups of guys armed with hand-held anti-tank guns (i.e. bazooka, panzerschrek or panzerfaust). There is no infantry elements (other than small A-T teams) which I feel is a big mistake. So much for those overrun attacks against entrenched infantry. The other negative is the AI of your fellow tankers. In the game you lead an element of 3 tanks which respond to your order via the radio. Unfortunately, they respond but not with alot of smarts resulting in overheating engines, bog downs and burning tanks (victims of the aforementioned A-T teams). I mean these guys are as dumb as dirt. However, SSI/Mindscape has been working to solve the AI (and other minor issues) via a series of patches- so things are looking better (currently they are at a v.1.2 patch). Maybe some more infantry will appear on the v. 1.3 patch?
Other than that Panzer Commander is an excellent game. It looks great, sounds great (complete with voice files that match the nationality of your vehicle- not a faked accent over English, but the actual language) and is a blast to play. With all of the various camera angles and crew positions you can jump around and watch the action from just about every perspective. Players have the option of single missions to playing a prolonged campaign where you fight through (and hopefully survive) to the end of the war. Since the game is set in the European Theater, players can choose between American, German, British and Russia vehicles/campaigns.
Bugs and issues aside, Panzer Commander is a good game. Any World War Two enthusiast will find this game irresistible!
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
THE CONS:
Review by Steve Ellis