Steel Panthers: World War II Demo

Because they are slow-paced and do not require a very powerful computer to run, wargames have quite the long history behind them on PC, stretching back a few decades into the DOS era, or even before it. Surprisingly, they haven’t evolved that much today, since the target public seems to be comfortable with the same hex grid interface and minimal graphics, as long as the gameplay is solid.

Steel Panthers: World War II has some incredibly long roots, given the fact that it started as a mod two decades ago and it still manages to keep a loyal fan base around itself. This version, on the other hand, contains a staggering amount of content, including hundreds of battles and scenarios that aim to provide you with a full picture of the second World War.

There are a dozen full-length campaigns as well, which are comprised of multiple scenarios presented in chronological order, although not much else powers the illusion of story. Individual missions are also available, in case you just want a quick challenge. Speaking of content, there is an in-game encyclopedia with details and pictures regarding almost every type of vehicle and infantry used during the war, which should provide you with insight on your own troops.

The true purpose of a wargame is to provide you with the means to experience the thrill of battle, by coming up with daring strategies and seeing your troops overpower the enemy. In that regard, the title at hand truly delivers on its promises, because you are free to conceive and utilize any means necessary to obtain a victory. On the other hand, you must also know your units pretty well in order to take full advantage of them, so you must do a bit of research as well beforehand.

When it comes to graphics, the hex grid is a classic as possible, which means that it should come natural to anyone who’s familiar with the genre. There are plenty of terrain types decorating the environment, all of which affect your troops in a different way. You can enjoy the experience in multiplayer as well, whether by email, or by utilizing the game’s hot seat functionality.

It’s the massive amount of content that differentiates Steel Panthers: World War II from everything else out there, even if the game itself could use a bit of polishing around the edges. On the other hand, if you value strategy above all else, then this is definitely the title for you.