Panzer Tactics DS

Strategy role-playing games have always been at the top of my must-play list. For some reason, I get a rush out of controlling every character in my regiment as if I am playing an intricate chess game against a worthy opponent. Most strategy RPG’s take to their genre name listlessly, proving that even with a small mistake, a battle can easily be lost to any foe.

Panzer Tactics embraces the strategy RPG concept with open arms, implementing a number of features that are typically found in the genre. Unfortunately, none of the features are executed flawlessly, and only some are executed in decent fashion at all.

Panzer Tactics’ storyline is based around the World War II era, involving three factions in the events that unfold: The German Wehrmacht, which is the easiest faction to play as; the Red Army; or the Western Allies, which proves to be the most difficult storyline to run through. The game favors the Allies in many hidden aspects, and places the German faction as the obvious enemy. Each mission played will have a given set of objectives to follow, as well as specific goals to reach. There are also optional goals during certain missions that you can obtain for extra money, if you feel so inclined. Overall, each campaign will contain 10 missions total.

Players are able to use the touch screen for all actions, if desired. The face buttons also have certain actions designated to them, such as switching the icons from airborne to group troops, or confirming selections. This feature was confusing at first, due to the fact that if I did not have the right icon selected (airborne or ground), then I would not be able to select a certain unit. During battle preparation, players will select from a group of troops, each with their own attributes and abilities. These troops range from paratroopers to bombers to panzer tanks. In addition, your core troops will be able to gain experience during battle and become stronger as the game progresses. Just be sure not to let your core units’ fall during a confrontation. Miscellaneous units will also make appearances during certain missions in order to help you out or act as decoys. As you gain money by capturing enemy encampments, you will be able to purchase even more troops for your disposal.

The touch screen also contains majority of the action during battle. The maps are colorful and depict a 2D visual of your current war zone. The map is layered in a hexagonal pattern, which adds a slightly different spin on the typical square-based strategy maps. As you move your units into position, you will be able to engage with the enemy, bomb strategic locations, and even paratroop behind enemy lines. Each unit has a limited mobility and striking distance, adding to the strategic flare. Any menu can be retrieved using the touch screen, while basic information about your troops can be viewed on the upper screen. When a confrontation is initiated, a simple cut scene will play on the lower screen while each unit’s health is displayed on the top screen. The short battle scenes are entertaining at first, but become extremely repetitive after a while.

In menu form, units contain a lot of artistic detail with a true-to-form design when compared to actual history. On the battlefield, units appear much more bland and basic as pixilated icons. Some units are hard to decipher from others without scrolling directly to that given unit and examining its information. The map used during battles does a fair job of visually displaying what terrain is what and where you can and cannot go. The battle scenes are the most artistically detailed, although as stated before, are too short and simple to really appreciate as anything more than a novelty.

Sound effects are found throughout Panzer Tactics, as expected in any war game. Although more could have easily been added to the audio arsenal, especially when dealing with any form of actual music, the sound effects themselves are entertaining enough to be forgiven.

Multiplayer modes are available, but the execution of each can be considered questionable. In Hot Seat Mode, the game expects two players to pass the Nintendo DS between each other as their turn arrives. The downside to this concept is that during an enemy’s turn, there is basically no way for you to know what your opponent is doing, without watching over his or her shoulder. This awkward way of playing is very reminiscent of a blind man’s Battleship game. This can also make the playtime seem laggish and extremely shifty.

During Wi-Fi Mode, the Panzer Tactics becomes extremely restrictive and frustrating. The game asks the player to set the specifications desired on a list of lengthy proportions. In order to match with an opponent, you and that opponent must have identical specifications for the game you want to play. As you can imagine, this can be very difficult to pull off. In order to face a friend, you would need to talk with that person as you were setting up the settings for the match and hope that neither of you selected the wrong specifics. Randomizing the specs helps, but this lacks any ability to specify the type of game you want to play.

Finally, if you have two cartridges and two Nintendo DS’s, the multiplayer aspect becomes much easier to manage, and is more reminiscent of a typical matchmaking setup. One person would simply setup the match, and the second player would join the match when given the option to do so.

Overall, Panzer Tactics is a very solid strategy RPG with elements that both help and hinder the gameplay as a whole. Stategy is definitely needed in order to win the missions, and thinking before acting will always be beneficial to your digital troops. Mild mechanic issues and slightly bland graphics take away from the greater experience, but as a war based chess piece battlefield, Panzer Tactics delivers an average experience.

Gameplay: 7.0
Playing through the storyline is a highlight of Panzer Tactics, with many angles to play the game, as well as many strategies to implement in order to reach the designated goals.  

Graphics: 6.0
Although the graphics did not stun me in either a positive or negative way, the artistic detail and style presented was solid and welcomed.

Sound: 5.0
A lacking musical composition is faltering, but the sound effects offered during heated battles make up for it.

Difficulty: Medium
The availability of three different difficulty levels (all displayed in plain detail in the main menu) allow gamers of every caliber to enjoy Panzer Tactics.

Concept: 6.5
The overall concept of Panzer Tactics is genuine and heading in a good direction, but the World War II backdrop is old.

Multiplayer: 4.0
The bulk of multiplayer features were frustrating and confusing, and definitely took away from the greater experience of Panzer Tactics.

Overall: 6.5
The game as a whole is entertaining and executed nicely, but nothing involved within the game is really eye catching. Minor details are frustrating, but only the multiplayer aspects could ruin the overall experience for you.