Panzer Commander brings you the war from differing sides, not just the one side. In this sim you can play from either the German, Russian, British or American sides each with realistically modeled armor of the era. There are 8-10 scenarios from each side you choose to play from, with 6 campaigns as well as multiplayer support. There is also a mission editor from which to create further battle sets, which will extend replayability to the limits of your imagination.

The premise of the game is similar to M1 Tank Platoon in that you are the "guiding spirit" of your unit and can move from tank to tank. Each mission runs along with a mission timer that shows you how much time you have left to accomplish your mission objectives. The scenarios I ran through were easily accomplished in the time specified (usually 10-15 minutes) and I didn’t have too much ground to cover to get into any engagements. This style of mission building allows for a lot more action and less travel time to an objective, forcing you to think quick and be ready on your trigger. There are 40 vehicles from which you can drive within this game across the different nationalities, all having different characteristics each modeled after their real-life counterparts.

In the graphics department Panzer Commander is a real treat to the eye and has some neat little visuals, the one most talked about in the armor forums is the "tank tread marks" on the ground. This is a very beneficial feature as if you find yourself a little disorientated while trying to make a flanking move on your enemy, you can get yourself right back on track by following his tread marks. It can also save your hide when you see tread marks on YOUR flank and you can turn around to stop the enemy from back-dooring you. The landscapes look really nice as well as do other objects in the world, from stone fences to houses the graphics are top notch.

The only slight degradation to the overall look was the old "floating tank" syndrome I witnessed in several different scenarios. It was actually kind of funny as while I was tracking a half-track before firing on him I noticed he seemed to be catching air as he traveled over the terrain. Once I closed with him I realized it was just the floating syndrome. This is something that may be addressed in the final release, we’’ just have to wait and see. Another nice little visual I found quite amusing was the way you can drive over and even shoot down trees in your path. I know this might not be a great feature to those environmentally conscious types out there but it is a neat little feature nonetheless. Overall between the differing paint schemes, lighting effects and terrain this game is a real treat.

There are several different views from which you can control your tank and platoon, the default is the Tank Commanders cupola. The TC’s cupola is actually a third person perspective, which gives you a good all around sense of your vehicle and the terrain you are travelling through. You’ll probably spend most of your time here and in the driver’s seat when moving and then in the gunners seat when engaged. Beware you modern armor simmers, this gunners seat can make you feel claustrophobic! It’s just like it was for WWII gunners and it will give you a new respect for those men. The gunners sight was very small and is again realistically modeled and will take a little getting used to.

The only problem I had with the game from the gunners seat was keeping the tank from rolling, that can create some headaches and I hope the final release has a better braking switch. This way you won’t feel like you are trying to drive and gun at the same time. Formations are given from hotkeys and can be given out from any view, you can easily switch tanks as well from a hotkey making for quick changes during a firefight.

Morale and experience are other factors you’ll need to take into account when going through your campaigns. As your troops get "blooded" they will gain experience, which in turn will make them better under fire. To increase the authenticity of the gameplay experience you will be addressed by your current nationalities language. If you are German you will be told your main gun is ready to fire in German (there is also a text dialogue to tell you the same, so you won’t feel confused). It really adds to the feeling of the game having the actual radio transmissions be in their native tongue.

There are three levels of realism from which to choose; Ace, Commander and Recruit. Each will have its own features that will be either disabled or enabled. Such things as unlimited ammo, unlimited fuel, no engine overheating can all be toggled on and off to make a better individual balance tailored for each player as well. You can also tweak your vulnerability rating, which if you read Rick Martinez’s interview with Csim you will recall he mentioned how they left the rating at 50%, to balance play. A realistic rating of 100% can be toggled on, but your prospects of living are not that great but you have the option to do so.

Click to continue . . .

The rolling terrain you will traverse throughout your campaigns and scenarios is something the smart player will learn to master as close in knife fights will definitely be a part of your experience (not to mention fording rivers, or at least attempting to). I was in one of the German mission facing a Russian unit when they decided to try to cross the river and engage at close range. I knew I would have a little time so I engaged the tanks on the far bank to remove the support units before engaging those tanks making the crossing. After dispatching the supporting tanks I made my way around the crest of the hill in front of me and low and behold there sat a couple of Russian tanks, stuck in the river!

It was open season and they were dispatched in a matter of moments. I then ordered my platoon across the river by way of the bridge, not realizing my platoon was still in a in-line formation they headed into the river and got stuck as well. This is an area where the player must pay strict attention to his use of formations and an area where the AI could possibly use a little tweaking, the platoon should have followed my lead until they crossed the bridge and then reformed into an in-line formation.

Overall this game looks to be a pleaser to those WWII armor fans out there, and the multiplayer support should make for some very interesting gameplay. This should be another good sim in what’s turning out to be one of the best years ever for armor sim fans.

From the diaries of Leutnant Ernst Barkmann.
(recovered by American forces outside the French town of St. Lo)

July 26, 1944

It’s a muggy day here outside of St. Lo in France today, so uncomfortable we expect even the Americans to delay their advance and give us both a chance to regroup. My unit is in disarray after the latest engagements with the Americans, they are relentless, so I passed the word from the company commander to stand down. With Himmel’s and Kroener’s tanks in the rear I decided to let my crew take it easy for the day, little did I know that wasn’t to last long.

We just received word via courier that American tanks are on the move towards us. Mein Gott! Don’t these Yankees have anything better to do today than interrupt the little rest we receive from High Command?! I’ve alarmed the rest of the crew and tried to radio to higher about our situation. I just got the call back that we were to displace immediately and catch up with the rest of our unit who was leaving as I received this call. I couldn’t believe it, we were running! Der Fuerher wouldn’t stand for cowardice like this! I ordered my crew into action and we readied our vehicle for a fight, if the Americans wanted to fight, they’d get one.

After radioing back my intentions and continually being called to reattach to my unit I turned the radio off to stop the annoying calls and to keep my crew and myself focused. Erich noticed a line of Sherman tanks headed at an oblique angle to us and called to me that he could engage. Seeing as the Americans hadn’t been alerted to our presence I ordered him to engage at will, my order was met with a confident affirmative. BOOM! The big gun on our Panther spat fire and smoke as Erich unleashed hell on the three American Shermans who dared violate our ground. He killed all three vehicles with just 5 shots then continued to scan for targets knowing the Americans would be aware that they weren’t alone.

We didn’t have long to wait as three more Shermans came into view headed right for us. I ordered the driver to move out smartly and bring us diagonal to the Americans. In his haste he ran over a tree which slowed us down enough for the Americans to hit us with two glancing rounds. My skin still crawls to relive those moments and hear that screech of metal as those rounds hit us. Once satisfied with our location I ordered the driver to stop and Erich to engage this new threat, he again fired and our gun belched flame and death again on the Americans and took them out with just 6 shots.

With three more dead Shermans a bloodlust came on Erich as well as the rest of the crew. We spied a pair of half-tracks several hundred meters away and were again on the move to close the distance and take on the enemy. Within minutes we had dispatched the enemy and found no further targets. I then turned my radio back on to hear the continued call to pull out.

I cut off the call with the news of our victory; my good news was met with steeley, cold indifference. I was reminded that I was given a direct order and I had failed to comply: that cannot be allowed in this army! I know now, I shall be dealt with in the severest way but it was my choosing to do as I have done. I’m leaving this diary here on one of the dead vehicles fenders, so that maybe someone can read and understand the dedication of my crew and I. Through these words we can live on, may the Fatherland prevail!