Codename: Panzers - Phase One Review

Written by: Darren Cartledge Posted: 7th January 2008

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World War II strategy game review.

Codename: Panzers - Phase One Details:

Goto Codename: Panzers - Phase One Game Page

	Strategy
	PC
	StormRegion
	cdv

12+

Out Now

N/A

After being impressed by an early build of Codename: Panzers: Phase One, I was expecting big things from cdv’s latest World War II themed strategy title. I’m happy to say I haven’t been disappointed by the finished version.

Like many of the real-time strategy games released nowadays Codename: Panzers focuses on tactics, rather then the more traditional Command & Conquer base building style. This tactical approach can sometimes be daunting to the more casual gamer, so developers Stormregion have made efforts to make the game instantly accessible for all and not just the future generals amongst us.

The story behind Codename: Panzers is told from three different viewpoints, the German, Russian, British and American allied forces. Each story follows a specific squadron commander through a series of missions, which are told through diary entries and cut scenes that utilise the games graphics engine.

Missions in Codename: Panzers usually consist of a main objective accompanied by several side missions, with some even having secret objectives. Successfully completing each mission will earn you prestige points which can be spent on new units, prestige points are also earned by keeping the units you are issued with alive. As surviving unit’s progress through missions with you their experience level increases, making them more effective in subsequent missions. That said however the most important objective in each mission is to keep the commander alive as his death means instant failure.

Codename: Panzers features an impressive number of units, these range from all kinds of infantry, trucks, tanks and artillery. Infantry obviously make up the core of your squad, with units ranging from the basic riflemen to the more specialised tank busters. You can also use flamethrower units to heat up enemy tanks so that the crew flee leaving the tank at your disposal. Artillery units are used to inflict large amounts of damage from distance, however it’s unwise for these units to get close to the action as they are extremely vulnerable against infantry. Trucks play a fairly important part in missions despite seeming pretty useless! They can be used to quickly move artillery and infantry units around the map, plus repair and supply ammo to tanks and other vehicles. Each vehicle has their strengths and weakness with each rated with a point’s value. In some missions a number of air support units are available although you don’t have direct control of them, these include reconnaissance planes, fighter and bomber support.

Stormregion have added a lot of nice touches to Codename: Panzers that really help enhance the gameplay, for instance your units have the ability to locate roughly where enemies are on a map, if a unit hears an enemy moving around a small icon will appear in the area where it came from, enabling you to attack with your artillery units. The icon will also display a picture of the enemy unit that was heard.

As well as the three single player campaigns Codename: Panzers also features a couple of scenarios to play through, including a Normandy style beach landing. There’s also a skirmish mode and several multiplayer options for up to 8 players. The game features a Training Camp mode that lets you take units from each nation into small battles.

Graphics wise Codename: Panzers looks fantastic, units feature an excellent amount of detail and have been animated well. Vehicles bounce around on their suspensions and kick up clouds of dust whilst moving. Maps are pretty varied and fully destructible. Trees, telegraph polls and buildings can all be destroyed, also when units enter a building the roof fades away to reveal the interior complete with furniture. The only slight problem is that it can be a little difficult to distinguish infantry units from one another. Explosions and weapons fire all look absolutely fantastic. Vehicles explode into huge balls of fire with debris and smoke shooting everywhere.

Sound in the game has been done well. The sound track is extremely fitting and compliments the on screen action. Voice acting is generally good, although in some cut scenes it can be a little unconvincing. Weapons and explosion effects are all very believable.

Codename: Panzers is in no way a revolutionary real-time strategy title, but it is solid. Unlike many tactical focused titles the game doesn’t bog you down with unnecessary commands, and the interface has been kept simple! This accessibility only adds to the enjoyment of an action packed strategy title that’s filled with plenty of missions that should keep you occupied for some time.