Previews: Panzer Tactics DS
There's definitely a gap between the hardcore strategy game player of series like Panzer General and those who prefer the accessibility of titles like Advance Wars. Developer Sproing intends to jump right between the two with its new turn-based game, Panzer Tactics DS.
The game features plenty of optional tutorials and training missions, so you can ease into the three main campaigns at your own pace.
You view the three sides of WWII through separate sets of eleven missions each, beginning with the Axis powers and the invasion of Poland, moving on to the Russian defense of their homeland, and ending with Allies fighting from Italy to Germany. Most of the missions are authentic, researched events while some of the bonus ones are pure fantasy (e.g. the Germans never captured the Suez Canal).
The gameplay is pretty typically for
a turn-based strategy game -- all the units have specific attack, sight, and defense ratings, as well as fuel and ammo. You move them by drawing a route over the hexagonal grid map with the stylus, keeping track of the terrain type and its advantages and disadvantages to unit movement speed. And the thick fog of war requires special reconnaissance units to scout out possible enemy locations. Completion of primary objectives is great, but even better is nailing the secondary ones as well, earning perks in the next mission, such as a 25% price reduction (in Fame -- the game's currency, earned by speedily finishing missions, killing enemies, and capturing cities) on tanks.
One of the main draws of Panzer Tactics DS is the support of varied multiplayer connections ranging from hotseat to online. One of the more fun ways to go about battling enemy forces is to pit stealth commandos against powerful (and expensive to recruit) officers who grant expert stat bonuses on surrounding units -- it's a high-stakes way to play considering officers are gone forever once assassinated. Players have 10 maps (seven original for multiplayer) and three goals to choose from, with the ability to set parameters such as Fame and time limits for matches with up to four people. Five rankings from Rookie to General make it easy to filter out opponents who aren't at your same level, and interestingly, you can also filter out possible cheaters -- the game flags players and keeps track of how many "power offs" or "dropped connections" they have.
The game supposedly lasts for an average of 70-80 hours including the extra scenario for each regular stage in the game, featuring different enemy units and placement. The A.I. reacts to how skilled you are (with difficulty scaling down or up based on how well you do), so Panzer Tactics DS looks to be a decent challenge for some more advanced players while maintaining its accessibility.
Look for it in late October or early November.
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3161722
