Gameplay Question

[ElIndio]

Hi All,

Newbie here!

I'm a big WWII gamer and very interested in Panzer Corps, I have previously played a lot of WWII RTS games like:

Hearts of Iron, Company of Heroes, Rush for Berlin, Codename Panzers, Men of War series etc. Also, I have played a lot of the Total War franchise, so I do like turn based strategy too.

I have never played any of Slitherine's games in the past or Panzer Generals so I was wandering how Panzer Corps plays in relation to other RTS / strategy games etc.

Currently I'm playing a lot of Men of War Assault Squad, which is great and I understand Panzer Corps is a totally differnet style, i.e. being turn based but how does the basic mechanics of the game play?

Obviously MoW AS is real time and more squad based tactics, where as Panzer Corps appeals to me, as I imagine it to be more of an Operational level basis of strategy that involves a great deal of planning and as such it will be nice to play in tandem with something like MoW AS.

The idea of planning and acting out massive historical based scale operations like Barbarossa in game should be awesome.

[lordzimoa]

Hi and welcome,

Well basically PzC is a classic turnbased IGOUGO, hex based tactical strategy game, inspired by the classic PG series.

I think you will understand better if you read the development diaries and have a look at some screenshots here:

http://panzer-corps.com/

The development diaries explain pretty good what the design is behind the game.

Cheers,

Tim aka LZ

[VPaulus]

where as Panzer Corps appeals to me, as I imagine it to be more of an Operational level basis of strategy that involves a great deal of planning and as such it will be nice to play in tandem with something like MoW AS.

I think that in a sense you nailed quite well the difference
Panzer Corps has a turn based system and the whole dynamic of the game is based on that, so completely different from what you get from a RTS game. You'll have more planning, more different type of units, stats to look for, etc. It's more chess and it's pedigree are the classical board wargames.
Only Panzer Corps UI, makes it quite easy and challenging for anybody to play it, specially if you're have already some knowledge of WWII, like yourself. Gradually you'll begin to be addicted (you'll learn the "just one more turn" at 4'clock in the morning concept) and at the same time begin to see that's a hard game to master thanks to its subtleties.
It's a game that you'll end developing your own strategy.
I'd say if you like HoI there's a great probability of enjoying as well Panzer Corps, even being quite a different game.

[ElIndio]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will take a look at the developer diaries.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy it anyway, as I fancy something a little more in depth and strategic than the typical RTS. Albeit I will still love my Men of War Assault Squad!!

Also the game is released on my birthday 11/07!! So I'll take that as a good omen.

As for Hearts of Iron, I have played HoI 2 quite a bit (not tried III yet) but HoI 2 is a little dated now in terms of gfx / interface / AI etc. Also HoI, has a little too much concentrated (for my personal taste) on managing your country's economy and production etc. Where as I am more interested in the strategic planning of offensives and fighting the battle / campaign. This is where I think Panzer Corps will fit in, as the graphics appear straightforward but very modern and nicely done, while it looks as though the emphasis is on the campaign strategy, as opposed to "managing" a country.

On a seperate note and slightly OT, would you guys at Slitherine ever do a U.S. Civil War version or WWI version of Panzer Corps, i.e. using the same engine and game style?

I would love a decent WWI strategy game but there is virtually none, certainly a gap in the RTS / strategy market in my opinion.

[IainMcNeil]

If you like WW1 then check out Commander the Great War.

[VPaulus]

As for Hearts of Iron, I have played HoI 2 quite a bit (not tried III yet) but HoI 2 is a little dated now in terms of gfx / interface / AI etc. Also HoI, has a little too much concentrated (for my personal taste) on managing your country's economy and production etc. Where as I am more interested in the strategic planning of offensives and fighting the battle / campaign. This is where I think Panzer Corps will fit in, as the graphics appear straightforward but very modern and nicely done, while it looks as though the emphasis is on the campaign strategy, as opposed to "managing" a country

Correct, you don't have that kind of micro management. You've prestige points, with which you can reinforce, upgrade and buy new units. Prestige points are the result of your deeds, like conquering cities, and not in managing the production or your country economy.
As for the graphics, you've seen with your eyes, but they are much better when playing.
The sounds are really good, though not being as important in this kind of games, they are a great addon helping you getting into the battle feeling. Even the music that I tend to disable after a few plays, I haven't still felt the need to do so.

[ElIndio]

I think Panzer Corps and Commander The Great War could be the answer to my gaming prayers!!

I'm liking the sound of the Prestige point system in Panzer Corps too, simple but adds to the strategy.

Can you comment anymore on the 'alternate' reality scenarios for Panzer Corps?

i.e.

I presume you can't invade the United States (as that would be stretching the realms of plausibility ) but presumably if Moscow is occupied in 1941 that knocks the Soviets out of the war and are things like Sealion then possible with no Eastern Front.

Or if the Battle of the Bulge is "won" by Germany, say Antwerp is taken are the Western Allies forced to negotiate / seek an armistace etc.

After all changing history is one of the reasons we all love this type of game.

[VPaulus]

I presume you can't invade the United States (as that would be stretching the realms of plausibility ) but presumably if Moscow is occupied in 1941 that knocks the Soviets out of the war and are things like Sealion then possible with no Eastern Front.

Or if the Battle of the Bulge is "won" by Germany, say Antwerp is taken are the Western Allies forced to negotiate / seek an armistace etc.
After all changing history is one of the reasons we all love this type of game.

You've already answered yourself. Yes you can invade US. But it's like you said, some scenarios are only available through a campaign if certain conditions are verified, like having decisive victories. Of course you can play the scenarios individually, out of the campaign mode.
But remember that PzC brings a scenario editor. So there's a good chance that some scenarios will end up to be made by users. The game will bring at launch, 26 scenarios in SP. But I bet you'll play more than 26.

[ElIndio]

Just watched the 'Gameplay Trailer', was that a hypothetical invasion of the U.S.A. I saw there towards the end of the video.

I think I would almost buy the game just to play out that scenario

Although from a realistic point of view, how on earth would Germany logistically mount an amphibious assault on the US, in reality they never had the naval power to get across the English Channel let alone across the Pacific. I think the scenario would be more plausible if it was Japan launching the assault against mainland USA from an 'alternate reality' perspective (obviously though Japan aren't in the game).

However, as said I'd love to play a scenario of Germany invading the US and I'm keen to read via the game's explanation (Assuming there is one) of how such a turn of events would occur.

[soldier]

Obviously they never got close in real life but some people believe early sealion was a real possibility had they gone all out with navy, army and air force (para drops). Some people also believe they were close to knocking Russia out of the war in 41. I guess with all of Europe's resources under their control, plus three years of naval re arming and planning behind them, an assault on the US in 45 does not sound so wild and unlikely but there's a lot of hypotheticals in that scenario.
And just like in the original Panzer General you have to beat the bomb .

[ElIndio]

Sealion was a distinct possibility had the Luftwaffe not switched (albeit on Hitler's orders) to bombing cities instead of arifields, then the RAF would have been knocked out, leaving Germany with the desired air superiority.

The truth (IMO) is that Hitler was never serious about invading the UK, Russia was always his objective.

Likewise (again IMO) Moscow should have been taken in 1941 but again Hitler diverted Guderian's Panzer divisions south in 41, missing the 'golden opportunity' to take Moscow while the Soviets were on the run and before they had chance to utilise their mass of manpower and then who knows...

These are both plausible areas to look at 'alternate reality', as with a slight twist of fate they could have been the outcomes.

Invading the USA however, is a whole other level!! But one I like the sound of

One scenario could be had the Soviet Union fallen, you could hit the US via the back door of Alaska from Russia, logically that would require less naval power than shipping across the Atlantic from Europe.