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Solid

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 24 / 24
Date: January 08, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Panzer Commander, the WWII tank simulation, is somewhat underrated within the software game genre. There are a few glitches (like AI that is randomly a bit slow) but they are more or less cleared up with the available patches. The graphics are not on par with Panzer Elite, but the realism of the game; from the way your tank bounces across terrain or your gunner gets KIA'd after a direct hit, makes up for it. Where it lacks in technical prowess, the game makes up for it with spirit and story line. This is good, dramatic, challenging game play!

The game offers several modes of play. In campaign mode, you'll find that at the harder levels you'll struggle to keep your tank platoon alive while you complete your mission objectives. Each scenario follows a historically accurate order of battle. As the war progresses, you'll be offered tank upgrades to deal with the ever-increasing technological advancements of your enemy. Most notable of the German campaigns are the Eastern Front scenarios. SSI did a good job of creating an accurate feel of warfare in Russia. Your heart will pound in anticipation as you sneak your Panzer around shelled out buildings in Leningrad, "hunting" for Russian T34's and machine gun nests. If you're UNLUCKY, your gunner might spot a mighty "Iosef Stalin" tank instead. Then you'll have to get a bit too close for comfort and hope that you can mange a flank shot. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, you've got to breach the Russian defenses and secure the distant bridgehead for advancing German infantry. Playing for the Russian side, you can almost smell the desperation of your fellow tankers as you struggle to stop the furious onslaught of the elite "Grossdeutschland" or SS divisions. You'll curse the Luftwaffe and the German artillery as shells and bombs rain down all around you. Terrain will become your best friend. Keep your T34 "hull down" and wait for an unsuspecting Panzer to expose his underside as he rushes up and over a nearby hill. As the war enters it's later stages, you'll experience the rush of expelling the German invaders from your country and pushing them towards their own borders. The hunters become the hunted. Just watch out for those 88's! The game also offers a single scenario mode. This will give you the chance to jump right into the action. Campaign mode is nice though as it gives the game a sense of continuity. You can play additional campaigns and single scenarios for the British and Americans as well. I found that the German and Russian campaigns were, however, the most challenging and exhilarating. Artillery and air support is present although you do not have control. The game also offers up a scenario editor so you can design your own scenarios. The game can also be played online. I'm hoping at some point SSI will plan a Panzer Commander "2".

All in all, SSI designed a solid game that offers decent graphics and challenging artificial intelligence. The game is so cheap now; you don't have a reason not to buy it either. If I had to compare to another game as far as graphics and realism, I would have to say Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator is a good parallel. Now go out and get this game!

Fascinating, enaging simulation, atrocious customer service

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 13
Date: January 19, 2000
Author: Amazon User

It is a shame that such a fascinating and often captivating simulation is undermined by the lack of customer service. It is one thing to have to download patches (this is to be expected as problems arise in a Windows-platform environment). But it is entirely another not to receive any response when contacting both the technical support and customer service departments of the manufacturer. Generally solid software is apparently supposed to make up for a complete absence of support and simple courtesy. But it does not.

commanding a virtual tank is awesome

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I played this game a few years ago and really enjoyed the experience of being inside various tanks of the period. I preferred to drive the tanks from an external view because being inside a tank prevented me from viewing my surroundings. That is also a lesson: tankers could seldom see very much unless the tank commander exposed himself from the top of the turret and that was dangerous (accounted for most of the deaths in the Israeli wars).
I agree with one of the other reviewers that control over other tanks in a platoon is cumbersome. I had a heck of a time getting panthers to go up the first hill until I figured it out. Really the only tank one has control over is the one he is commanding. A pity, since tank commanders were able to coordinate with their platoon leaders.
I wish there were more aircraft because a large number of tank losses were through aircraft bombings and rockets.
I still liked the game.
I think I will give Panser Elite a try. It seems to have more to offer. I wish more games like this were being created. It gives a historical education on what it was like to be in a tank in combat.

not bad for ww11

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: December 16, 2000
Author: Amazon User

it's ok for the price.i was in the army and i was on the m1 abrams.i wish i could find something more REAL.if you like tanks it is a fun game.i find it easy.the thing i like best about panzer is the options you have with changing tanks. nice option....

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