Panzer Corps RC3 feedback
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:57 pm
First Impressions
Congratulations for the game guys, great work
My overall impression is quite good, 9 out 10, although there are things I would change or add. Of course, it's my personal opinion and maybe doesn't match with the rest of the people 
Impressions summary
- 15 seconds. I was so excited and game intro didn't disappoint me.
- 5 minutes. I was exploring as much as I could the Game. The impression has been so positive. (see below)
- 15 minutes. I had no problem following the tutorial. Very positive impression. (See Tutorial below)
- 60 minutes. I was playing and testing as much as I could during the Tutorial Campaign. I have some suggestions and comments about the gameplay (See below).
Game Installation Installation was made without any problem. A shortcut was created on the desktop and Manual, Panzer Corps, Scenario Editor and Uninstall Panzer Corps items were created the startup menu > Slitherine > Panzer Corps .
Game Intro
- Intro music is really good, I like it.
- Intro animation. It`s nice too.
Game Main screen
- The wallpaper picture is great.
- Panzer Corps logo is difficult to read because maybe I'm not used to that font. Also it is dark, I would light it up a little.
Library
- Equipment missing. I guess not all the data has been included in the beta release.
- Small pictures within the item description info sheet are dark so don't let you see too much details. Marks from the source country are missing in allied equipment (British mark, Russian marks...)
- The big picture is simply amazing, tons of details. I love it.
- Info sheet text is not justified. Also it is too close to the right edge of the little picture.
- Manual overview is missing. Not already included in the beta release.
- Credits. It is ok but maybe I would use an auto-scroll with the chance of drag it up and down just in case you want to look for something, instead of the scroll-bar.
New Game
- Pictures are nice. The only thing I would change in the campaign tab is the Tutorial picture. I would used one that were different to the others pictures surrounding it (boot/ training camp picture) or maybe I would placed away from the others. It's not very important because you will use the tutorial only once
.
Usability, UI of the main screen and gameplay
I took some notes during the gameplay that I have tried to order someway:
Victory conditions
The messagebox containing the turn info (weather, forecast and victory conditions) is small and difficult to see from the background picture. I would do it bigger or in a different way just show it more clear and easy to read. I have been thinking about if it is a good idea to repeat every turn the victory conditions, unless they change during the gameplay. Instead of that I would include a button or tooltip on the UI (top right) including the current victory conditions.
Buttons (Next Unit, Prev unit, air/ground..)
I think these buttons are so small. I don't know if it is something to do with the resolution I am using (1680x1050x32), but if it is the button should be resolution size dependant. The other buttons (undo move, supply, sleep) are much bigger if we compare them with.
Small map
I think it is a good idea but I don't like how it looks, it should be smoother. I can see a lot of pixelization that contrast if you compare with the general graphics of the game.
Unit information
When you have selected a unit, some information is displayed on the right sidebar. To get all the information (spotting, range, attack, defense...) you need to deploy another side bar. Coming back to the screen resolution/elements size, all this information maybe could be included with basic information since there is enough space (bottom of the side bar), at least at 1680x1050.
Unit's movement path
This is just a suggestion, but I think it could be useful. During a unit movement you should be able to choose how to reach the desired hex tile since the game only let you what it thinks it is better (straight line). This way you can select your path and confirm it when you are sure that you want to follow that path.
Mouse cursor
Please change the cursor, default OS shine like a bulb in the dark. Maybe a glove cursor or another type of arrow would be better.
Terrain Info
It would be great if you could have some information about the terrain bonuses/penalties that has effect in the units combat. (a tooltip over the attacked unit)
Special characters Icon
I miss some small icon in the unit ( like the green arrow, low amm., low fuel.... ) that let you know that the unit has some special character abilities (Defense +1, Movement +1...) like in PG2.
Gebirsjäger sticky trucks
I upgraded an infantery unit to Gebirsjäger but I forgot to take out the trucks. The result was that the alpine movement was not available and I couldn't get rid of the trucks during the gameplay.
PBEM++
I haven't play for now. I will post the feedback as soon as I play.
Thanks
Thank you for choosing me as beta tester. I think that Panzer Corps is quite good, in fact, I can't wait to buy it. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed when I saw that the release date was changed again
but now I know that it will worth it
Performance
The game performance was very good. Everything was smooth and fast.
PC Configuration:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/25/2011, 15:59:39
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110408-1631)
Language: Spanish (Regional Setting: Spanish)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5E Deluxe
BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/08/09 21:16:00 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8192MB RAM
Page File: 3008MB used, 13372MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 460
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E22&SUBSYS_23811462&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4065 MB
Dedicated Memory: 993 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: LG W2242(Analog)
Monitor Model: W2242
Monitor Id: GSM5677
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.6101 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6101
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/19/2010 10:10:00, 12788840 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4D62-11CF-0760-8D031FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0E22
SubSys ID: 0x23811462
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem5.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section004:8.17.12.6101:pci\ven_10de&dev_0e22
Rank Of Driver: 80E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Altavoces (2- Creative SB X-Fi)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1375 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 5/5/2010 21:30:10, 684376 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Congratulations for the game guys, great work
My overall impression is quite good, 9 out 10, although there are things I would change or add. Of course, it's my personal opinion and maybe doesn't match with the rest of the people Impressions summary
- 15 seconds. I was so excited and game intro didn't disappoint me.
- 5 minutes. I was exploring as much as I could the Game. The impression has been so positive. (see below)
- 15 minutes. I had no problem following the tutorial. Very positive impression. (See Tutorial below)
- 60 minutes. I was playing and testing as much as I could during the Tutorial Campaign. I have some suggestions and comments about the gameplay (See below).
Game Installation Installation was made without any problem. A shortcut was created on the desktop and Manual, Panzer Corps, Scenario Editor and Uninstall Panzer Corps items were created the startup menu > Slitherine > Panzer Corps .
Game Intro
- Intro music is really good, I like it.
- Intro animation. It`s nice too.
Game Main screen
- The wallpaper picture is great.
- Panzer Corps logo is difficult to read because maybe I'm not used to that font. Also it is dark, I would light it up a little.
Library
- Equipment missing. I guess not all the data has been included in the beta release.
- Small pictures within the item description info sheet are dark so don't let you see too much details. Marks from the source country are missing in allied equipment (British mark, Russian marks...)
- The big picture is simply amazing, tons of details. I love it.
- Info sheet text is not justified. Also it is too close to the right edge of the little picture.
- Manual overview is missing. Not already included in the beta release.
- Credits. It is ok but maybe I would use an auto-scroll with the chance of drag it up and down just in case you want to look for something, instead of the scroll-bar.
New Game
- Pictures are nice. The only thing I would change in the campaign tab is the Tutorial picture. I would used one that were different to the others pictures surrounding it (boot/ training camp picture) or maybe I would placed away from the others. It's not very important because you will use the tutorial only once
.Usability, UI of the main screen and gameplay
I took some notes during the gameplay that I have tried to order someway:
Victory conditions
The messagebox containing the turn info (weather, forecast and victory conditions) is small and difficult to see from the background picture. I would do it bigger or in a different way just show it more clear and easy to read. I have been thinking about if it is a good idea to repeat every turn the victory conditions, unless they change during the gameplay. Instead of that I would include a button or tooltip on the UI (top right) including the current victory conditions.
Buttons (Next Unit, Prev unit, air/ground..)
I think these buttons are so small. I don't know if it is something to do with the resolution I am using (1680x1050x32), but if it is the button should be resolution size dependant. The other buttons (undo move, supply, sleep) are much bigger if we compare them with.
Small map
I think it is a good idea but I don't like how it looks, it should be smoother. I can see a lot of pixelization that contrast if you compare with the general graphics of the game.
Unit information
When you have selected a unit, some information is displayed on the right sidebar. To get all the information (spotting, range, attack, defense...) you need to deploy another side bar. Coming back to the screen resolution/elements size, all this information maybe could be included with basic information since there is enough space (bottom of the side bar), at least at 1680x1050.
Unit's movement path
This is just a suggestion, but I think it could be useful. During a unit movement you should be able to choose how to reach the desired hex tile since the game only let you what it thinks it is better (straight line). This way you can select your path and confirm it when you are sure that you want to follow that path.
Mouse cursor
Please change the cursor, default OS shine like a bulb in the dark. Maybe a glove cursor or another type of arrow would be better.
Terrain Info
It would be great if you could have some information about the terrain bonuses/penalties that has effect in the units combat. (a tooltip over the attacked unit)
Special characters Icon
I miss some small icon in the unit ( like the green arrow, low amm., low fuel.... ) that let you know that the unit has some special character abilities (Defense +1, Movement +1...) like in PG2.
Gebirsjäger sticky trucks
I upgraded an infantery unit to Gebirsjäger but I forgot to take out the trucks. The result was that the alpine movement was not available and I couldn't get rid of the trucks during the gameplay.
PBEM++
I haven't play for now. I will post the feedback as soon as I play.
Thanks
Thank you for choosing me as beta tester. I think that Panzer Corps is quite good, in fact, I can't wait to buy it. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed when I saw that the release date was changed again
but now I know that it will worth it Performance
The game performance was very good. Everything was smooth and fast.
PC Configuration:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/25/2011, 15:59:39
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110408-1631)
Language: Spanish (Regional Setting: Spanish)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5E Deluxe
BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/08/09 21:16:00 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8192MB RAM
Page File: 3008MB used, 13372MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 460
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E22&SUBSYS_23811462&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4065 MB
Dedicated Memory: 993 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: LG W2242(Analog)
Monitor Model: W2242
Monitor Id: GSM5677
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.6101 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6101
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/19/2010 10:10:00, 12788840 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4D62-11CF-0760-8D031FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0E22
SubSys ID: 0x23811462
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem5.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section004:8.17.12.6101:pci\ven_10de&dev_0e22
Rank Of Driver: 80E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Altavoces (2- Creative SB X-Fi)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1375 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 5/5/2010 21:30:10, 684376 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No