Summary
- Release Year: 1999
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Steel Panthers: World War 2 (1999)
Steel Panthers: World War 2 is a turn-based strategy game developed by Gary Grigsby and published by Matrix Games. It was released in 1999 and is a standalone expansion of Steel Panthers II: Modern Battles. The game simulates combat at the operational and tactical level, and allows players to command units from a variety of nations, including the United States, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain.
Steel Panthers: World War 2 is a highly detailed and realistic game, and it offers a wide range of features that allow players to customize their experience. Players can choose from a variety of scenarios, including historical battles and hypothetical matchups. They can also create their own scenarios using the game’s built-in editor.
The game’s graphics are simple but effective, and they do a good job of conveying the feel of World War II combat. The sound effects are also well done, and they help to create a immersive experience.
Steel Panthers: World War 2 is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. Players who are willing to put in the time to learn the game’s mechanics will be rewarded with a deep and engaging experience.
Gameplay
Steel Panthers: World War 2 is a turn-based strategy game that simulates combat at the operational and tactical level. Players take turns moving their units around the map and engaging in combat with enemy units.
The game’s map is divided into hexes, and each hex represents a specific area of terrain. Terrain features, such as forests, hills, and rivers, can affect the movement and combat abilities of units.
Units in Steel Panthers: World War 2 are represented by counters, and each counter represents a specific type of unit, such as a tank, infantry squad, or artillery battery. Units have a variety of stats, such as movement points, attack strength, and defense strength.
Combat in Steel Panthers: World War 2 is resolved using a dice-rolling system. When two units engage in combat, the game rolls a die to determine the outcome of the battle. The attacker’s attack strength is compared to the defender’s defense strength, and the unit with the higher strength is more likely to win the battle.
Terrain features can also affect the outcome of combat. For example, units that are attacking from a hilltop have a bonus to their attack strength, while units that are attacking from a forest have a penalty to their attack strength.
Features
Steel Panthers: World War 2 offers a wide range of features that allow players to customize their experience. Players can choose from a variety of scenarios, including historical battles and hypothetical matchups. They can also create their own scenarios using the game’s built-in editor.
The game also includes a number of different game modes, such as single-player campaigns, multiplayer matches, and hotseat mode. In single-player campaigns, players can take command of one of the game’s factions and fight through a series of historical battles. In multiplayer matches, players can compete against each other online or over a LAN connection. In hotseat mode, players can take turns playing the game on the same computer.
Steel Panthers: World War 2 also includes a number of different options that allow players to customize the game’s difficulty. Players can choose from a variety of difficulty levels, and they can also enable or disable a number of different game features, such as fog of war and friendly fire.
Reception
Steel Panthers: World War 2 was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its realism, depth, and replayability. It was also praised for its user-friendly interface and its excellent documentation.
Steel Panthers: World War 2 has won a number of awards, including the Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Computer Wargame of 1999. It is considered to be one of the best turn-based strategy games ever made.
Conclusion
Steel Panthers: World War 2 is a classic turn-based strategy game that offers a realistic and challenging experience. The game’s wide range of features and options make it a great choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. If you are a fan of turn-based strategy games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Steel Panthers: World War 2.
Review Score
8.5/10