Ideas for Panzer Corps 2

[Methusalar]

I like the commendation system, but they could focus on getting units (foreign / prototypes).

A big problem at the heart of PC2 is game balance. It's tricky for lots of reasons, but one of them is that the game needs to be challenging for players who have built up lethal heroes combinations, while also still be suitable for those who have been unlucky with hero picks. The end result is something that is still too easy if you've got a well trained core force with a good selection of heroes, while at the same time, still too hard for someone who has allowed too many units to die and/or been unlucky with heroes.

The engagement would come from the fact that the main hero is you and that you are steering their career / traits.

Want to develop an army that focuses on mobility above all else? An army where artillery does the heavy lifting? An army that is unbeatable in defence? It would all be your choice.

You could make it so that you need to earn xp to level up. Getting all of the bonus objectives would then mean that you got promoted sooner.

[DefiantXYX]

I like the commendation system, but they could focus on getting units (foreign / prototypes).

I know there are some players who like that kind of stuff, I dont.
Starting in Mid 1942 you wont need these stuff. Germany got the best stuff, foreign units only weaken your core. You could get prototypes yeah, but a Tiger II in 1943 is gamebreaking. Other stuff is nice to have, but not so important. For me only in the early years of war these kind of units make sense, like the Verdaja.

A big problem at the heart of PC2 is game balance.

Yes and I have finally come to the conclusion, that the player himself has the balance the game. You have so many options, traits, sliders...you cant balance that for everyone, but you can do it yourself. If you really want to.
If you play the amazing mods like Grand Campaign or especially AO Redone you will face a high level of difficulty, so you need all the OP stuff. But the story of the game gets destroyed. You win every battle, just to fight againt even more and even stronger high end units.

Want to develop an army that focuses on mobility above all else? An army where artillery does the heavy lifting? An army that is unbeatable in defence? It would all be your choice.

Not really. You dont need an army with unbeatable defence. You almost never defend in this game. If you heavily rely on artillery, you wont manage the scenarios in the late years of war, because you dont have the turns. You need tanks, more tanks, and speed.
The game allows you to do stuff like that, but thats imo nothing that has to do with heroes.