The last time I played any computer wargame was 15 years ago with the Panzer General series. And before that Historyline 1914-18. So I'm not really a wargamer.
What attracted me in the PG series was the easiness that I could start to play immediately after I installed it for the first time. So for this first run, this was the test that I had in mind for Panzer Corps. I went straight away and picked a scenario (Poland), without going through the tutorials or starting the campaign.
After the first 30 seconds I was already having the feeling of deja vu.
The first 5 minutes I spent trying to get familiarize with the mouse interface. And probably these were the hardest times in the whole game. Maybe the problem is in my side, because in most applications I drag the map with the right mouse button and not with the left. Also the default choice of using LMB for selection and RMB for action was unnatural to me. I found that I could switch to a classic mouse profile in the options, and suddenly everything becomes more fluid and natural (with the exception of dragging the map with the LMB)
In the 15 minutes I was already exploring the game mechanics, and thinking how easy is to play, exactly like in the PG series.
I have the impression, that like was in PG, PC is filled with subtleties that will enhance and rise the difficulty. It's a game easy to play but hard to master.
I played for more than 1 hour, and never got bored. Panzer Corps (PC) is in its essence like PG. Any casual player will be able to play it. In my view, that's the best praise that I can make to a computer wargame.
The graphics and the sounds are good, very good. Even the music after 1 hour didn't annoyed me, like it's usual in most games.
I had no problems with performance, and I installed in my slowest machine (not my gaming machine). It's an Intel C2D E6420@2.13Ghz with 2 GB of memory and with no dedicated graphic card. Just the Intel onboard G33/31 graphic chip. My OS is XP Professional.
In my view, as I suspected with this beta version, the game it is already very polished.
I only noticed a glitch so far. In the Unit details, for example with bigger names like for example "PZL P.23B Kara / Tactical Bomber", this falls off the limit.
I'll report back if I find any other glitch.
Good job devs.
