by James Cobb

Although scripted, these scenarios have high replay value since much of the vehicle and crews' quality can be pre-set. For instance, a beginning player may want to become invulnerable with all units have elite crews firing unlimited shells through bore-sighted guns at a green enemy. An experienced player may want to test his mettle by handicapping himself as much as possible. When the AI becomes boring, multi-player mode will give players the chance to play armor-piercing "Gotcha!" online.

For an historian, the heart of Panzer Elite will be the campaign games. These cover North Africa, Italy and Normandy in long and short versions for both sides. The campaigns may look like the single scenarios strung together but this is misleading for several reasons.

At the start of each scenario, the play can upgrade his tanks by adding things like skirts, mantlets, and extra armor. If available, he can even "trade up" to a newer model. Wounded or incompetent crewmen can be replaced. More importantly, the supply levels for ammunition and fuel can be seen.

Planning for German Campaign

For German campaigns, decreasing supply will force players to make decisions on the ammo load for each tank. During play, tanks are destroyed and crewmen die or become wounded. Losses can be replaced but from a pool of inexperienced men. Conversely, survivors may gain in skill. In essence, although the scenario goals don't change, the nature of the forces available is dynamic.

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German Mk IV

Playing the campaign games yields something few games, not to mention simulations, give: true insight into a historical process. The Germans will almost always have a qualitative advantage but must cope with steadily decreasing numbers of units and scantier supply levels. The Americans will never have equipment superior to their enemy.

They will, however, improve their vehicles incrementally and enjoy increasing amounts of artillery, units and ammunition. In this way, the player can see how the Americans were able to first offset and then overwhelm the Panzer forces. Many history books have not done as well in explaining this process.

German Tank in American Sights

Every few years, a game will appear that not only improves a genre but resets the paradigm for that genre. With its attention to detail and its historical flow, Panzer Elite may well create a new paradigm for combat simulations.

Panzer Elite will release worldwide in the first week of October. You can download the Panzer Elite beta at Wings Simulations

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