Panzer General
Encyclopedia
Panzer General is a computer wargame published by Strategic Simulations in 1994
and set in World War II
.
game, set on operational level hex map
s. One plays lone scenarios from either Axis or Allied side and against a computer or human opponent. In Campaign Mode, the player assumes the role of a German
general
against the Allied computer.
Panzer General is an operational-level game, and units approximate battalions, although unit size and map scale from one scenario to the next are elastic. While the names and information for the units are reasonably accurate, the scenarios only approximate historical situations.
Its novel feature was to link individual scenario
s into a campaign spanning World War II from 1939 to 1945. Units are able to gain experience and become stronger, where success in one battle would award the player prestige to upgrade units, acquire additional units, and select a better scenario for the next battle.
In 1996, Panzer General won the Origins Award
for Best Military or Strategy Computer Game of 1995. The game and its sequels spawned a loyal following, who have revived online head-to-head play and added many units, features, and over 2,500 scenarios. New ideas are still being developed well over a decade after its initial release.
In Campaign Mode, a series of battles unfolds as a campaign heads to victory. There is one long campaign as Germany, with five starting locales:
The task in most scenarios is to take all objective cities in a given number of turns; taking them at least 5 turns earlier is considered a major victory. In scenarios from later stages of war, the Germans try to hold positions against a stronger enemy. A typical task is then "Hold at least two of our objective cities for 20 turns; for Major Victory, hold at least five."
All campaigns branch out and end either by the general being sacked for incompetence or end of the war. In Campaign Mode, a Major Victory could possibly change known historical events.
For example, defeat in the 1940 Battle of France results in game over; after a Major Victory the player invades Britain; after a Minor Victory the player can either command the North African campaign or capture the Balkans and Greece and then invade Russia (Barbarossa). After a Major victory in Barbarossa the player can either convince the High Command to attack Moscow immediately (which costs him or her much prestige, needed for buying units) or attack Kiev and then Moscow (but then Moscow is surrounded by formidable fortifications).
If the player achieves a Major Victory both in Britain and in Moscow, he or she is allowed to invade Washington. In any other case, he/she must fight well in many battles to get another chance to attack them. If Britain or USSR survives this attack, they drive the Germans all the way back to Berlin. The best the player can do now is to fight well in each battle to have enough prestige for the next one - and to achieve a Major victory in the final defense of Berlin.
One must carefully observe the road system to speed the advance, or he/she can use Bridge engineers to cross the rivers. The game rewards a Blitzkrieg
strategy - penetrating deep into the enemy positions while postponing destruction of some of the encountered enemy units for later.
The performance of units is affected by their experience, which takes very long to collect. Particularly in Campaign mode one then has to protect the experienced units as the most valuable asset.
(titled Panzer General II in Germany) allows play from the Allied point of view and features four new campaigns.
introduced different graphics, naval features, and Japanese involvement.
In 1997, Panzer General II
(titled Panzer General 3D in Germany) upgraded the interface to use an overlay of photorealistic terrain, and to display different unit facings, resulting in an improved appearance. In the April 2000 issue of PC Gamer
, it was voted the 44th best computer game of all time.
Despite dated graphics by today's standards, the gameplay mechanics and field HQ interface still have significant merit and popularity.
A gradual move from turn-based toward real-time
style of play have not diminished Panzer General IIs status within the genre.
is an upgraded version of Panzer General II based on a World War III
scenario between China and the UN.
came in with the 1999 release of Panzer General 3D Assault
. The units were small 3D models, and the view could be a perspective view over the battlefield.
was released in 2000, with better graphics and a redesigned interface.
is an Xbox Live Arcade
game that was released on October 21, 2009.
was also released as a board game, using tiles to form a board and cards simulating military units and combat situations. The game was released the first week in January 2010.
Panzer General provided a Play by Email
(PBEM) system.
1994 in video gaming
-Events:*Nintendo calls this year "1994: The Year of the Cartridge".*Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd is established and opened by Hiroshi Yamauchi and effectively ends Mattel Australia's distribution of Nintendo's products throughout Australia.*"Project...
and set in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Overview
Panzer General is turn-basedTurn-based strategy
A turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
game, set on operational level hex map
Hex map
A hex map, hex board or hex grid is a gameboard design commonly used in wargames of all scales. The map is subdivided into small regular hexagons of identical size.-Advantages and disadvantages:...
s. One plays lone scenarios from either Axis or Allied side and against a computer or human opponent. In Campaign Mode, the player assumes the role of a German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
against the Allied computer.
Panzer General is an operational-level game, and units approximate battalions, although unit size and map scale from one scenario to the next are elastic. While the names and information for the units are reasonably accurate, the scenarios only approximate historical situations.
Its novel feature was to link individual scenario
Scenario
A scenario is a synoptical collage of an event or series of actions and events. In the Commedia dell'arte it was an outline of entrances, exits, and action describing the plot of a play that was literally pinned to the back of the scenery...
s into a campaign spanning World War II from 1939 to 1945. Units are able to gain experience and become stronger, where success in one battle would award the player prestige to upgrade units, acquire additional units, and select a better scenario for the next battle.
In 1996, Panzer General won the Origins Award
Origins Award
The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so the 1979 awards were given at the 1980 Origins.The Origins Award is commonly...
for Best Military or Strategy Computer Game of 1995. The game and its sequels spawned a loyal following, who have revived online head-to-head play and added many units, features, and over 2,500 scenarios. New ideas are still being developed well over a decade after its initial release.
Campaigns
Panzer General has 38 scenarios based on real or fictitious battles from World War II. The player can engage in a single battle or a campaign mode.In Campaign Mode, a series of battles unfolds as a campaign heads to victory. There is one long campaign as Germany, with five starting locales:
- Poland (1939); from Poland, through Norway, to the West with possible amphibious landing in Britain.
- North Africa (1941); from North Africa to the Middle East.
- Barbarossa (1941); from the initial crossing of the Soviet border to Moscow.
- Husky (1943); from Allies landing on Sicily to the end of the war.
- Kharkov (1943); from the German spring offensive to the end of the war.
The task in most scenarios is to take all objective cities in a given number of turns; taking them at least 5 turns earlier is considered a major victory. In scenarios from later stages of war, the Germans try to hold positions against a stronger enemy. A typical task is then "Hold at least two of our objective cities for 20 turns; for Major Victory, hold at least five."
All campaigns branch out and end either by the general being sacked for incompetence or end of the war. In Campaign Mode, a Major Victory could possibly change known historical events.
For example, defeat in the 1940 Battle of France results in game over; after a Major Victory the player invades Britain; after a Minor Victory the player can either command the North African campaign or capture the Balkans and Greece and then invade Russia (Barbarossa). After a Major victory in Barbarossa the player can either convince the High Command to attack Moscow immediately (which costs him or her much prestige, needed for buying units) or attack Kiev and then Moscow (but then Moscow is surrounded by formidable fortifications).
If the player achieves a Major Victory both in Britain and in Moscow, he or she is allowed to invade Washington. In any other case, he/she must fight well in many battles to get another chance to attack them. If Britain or USSR survives this attack, they drive the Germans all the way back to Berlin. The best the player can do now is to fight well in each battle to have enough prestige for the next one - and to achieve a Major victory in the final defense of Berlin.
Tactical elements
The game requires the player to use combined-arms tactics, where each unit is strong against some unit types but very vulnerable by others. Dug-in enemy positions must be softened by artillery, which is vulnerable and needs protection. Before attacking the infantry and anti-tanks, one needs to destroy the artillery which protects them from behind. If no tank can slip there, one does this mostly by bombers, but then it is advantageous to destroy the air defense units first. The fighters have a dilemma between destroying enemy air force and protecting the bombers.One must carefully observe the road system to speed the advance, or he/she can use Bridge engineers to cross the rivers. The game rewards a Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg
For other uses of the word, see: Blitzkrieg Blitzkrieg is an anglicized word describing all-motorised force concentration of tanks, infantry, artillery, combat engineers and air power, concentrating overwhelming force at high speed to break through enemy lines, and, once the lines are broken,...
strategy - penetrating deep into the enemy positions while postponing destruction of some of the encountered enemy units for later.
The performance of units is affected by their experience, which takes very long to collect. Particularly in Campaign mode one then has to protect the experienced units as the most valuable asset.
Allied General
Allied GeneralAllied General
Allied General is a turn-based strategy video game set in World War II that features the Allied side of operations. Players can progress through four campaigns as an Allied general against Axis forces controlled by the computer...
(titled Panzer General II in Germany) allows play from the Allied point of view and features four new campaigns.
Pacific General
Pacific GeneralPacific General
Pacific General is a computer wargame depicting famous battles of the World War II Pacific campaigns. It was published by Strategic Simulations in 1997 using the same game engine of the earlier and successful Panzer General for Windows 95.-Gameplay:...
introduced different graphics, naval features, and Japanese involvement.
Panzer General II
also see Panzer General IIPanzer General II
Panzer General II is a turn-based strategy computer game by Strategic Simulations, Inc. Released September 30th, 1997, Panzer General II is the sixth SSI game in the "General" series and the first in the "Living Battlefield " series. It takes place during World War II, covering events from the...
In 1997, Panzer General II
Panzer General II
Panzer General II is a turn-based strategy computer game by Strategic Simulations, Inc. Released September 30th, 1997, Panzer General II is the sixth SSI game in the "General" series and the first in the "Living Battlefield " series. It takes place during World War II, covering events from the...
(titled Panzer General 3D in Germany) upgraded the interface to use an overlay of photorealistic terrain, and to display different unit facings, resulting in an improved appearance. In the April 2000 issue of PC Gamer
PC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
, it was voted the 44th best computer game of all time.
Despite dated graphics by today's standards, the gameplay mechanics and field HQ interface still have significant merit and popularity.
A gradual move from turn-based toward real-time
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
style of play have not diminished Panzer General IIs status within the genre.
People's General
Released in 1998, People's GeneralPeople's General
People's General is a turn-based strategy computer game developed by Strategic Simulations, Inc . It was released in August, 1998 in North America and in September, 1998 in Europe...
is an upgraded version of Panzer General II based on a World War III
World War III
World War III denotes a successor to World War II that would be on a global scale, with common speculation that it would be likely nuclear and devastating in nature....
scenario between China and the UN.
Panzer General 3D Assault
True 3D3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
came in with the 1999 release of Panzer General 3D Assault
Panzer General 3D Assault
Panzer General 3D Assault is a turn-based strategy computer game by Strategic Simulations, Inc. Panzer General 3D Assault is the 3rd game in the Panzer general Series. It features a new 3D engine. It is still turned based and has a similar game play style to Panzer General 2. The game features 8...
. The units were small 3D models, and the view could be a perspective view over the battlefield.
Panzer General III: Scorched Earth
Panzer General III: Scorched EarthPanzer General III: Scorched Earth
Panzer General III: Scorched Earth is a turn-based strategy computer game by Mattel based on the game Panzer General 3D Assault by Strategic Simulations, Inc., which was owned by Mattel....
was released in 2000, with better graphics and a redesigned interface.
Panzer General: Allied Assault
Panzer General: Allied AssaultPanzer General: Allied Assault
Panzer General: Allied Assault is the name of both a digital and board/card game developed by Petroglyph Games. The Xbox Live Arcade version was released on October 21, 2009 and the board game on January 5, 2010.-Gameplay:...
is an Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
game that was released on October 21, 2009.
Panzer General: Allied Assault board game
Panzer General: Allied AssaultPanzer General: Allied Assault
Panzer General: Allied Assault is the name of both a digital and board/card game developed by Petroglyph Games. The Xbox Live Arcade version was released on October 21, 2009 and the board game on January 5, 2010.-Gameplay:...
was also released as a board game, using tiles to form a board and cards simulating military units and combat situations. The game was released the first week in January 2010.
Panzer General provided a Play by Email
Play-by-mail game
Play-by-mail games, sometimes known as "Play-by-post", are games, of any type, played through postal mail or e-mail. One example, chess, has been played by mail for centuries . Another example, Diplomacy, has been played by mail since the 1960s, starting with a printed newsletter written by John...
(PBEM) system.
See also
- Panzer General IIPanzer General IIPanzer General II is a turn-based strategy computer game by Strategic Simulations, Inc. Released September 30th, 1997, Panzer General II is the sixth SSI game in the "General" series and the first in the "Living Battlefield " series. It takes place during World War II, covering events from the...
- Fantasy GeneralFantasy GeneralFantasy General is a hex-based fantasy game published by Strategic Simulations in 1996. Its structure was taken from the computer wargame Panzer General with some modifications to the base system. It was the second in the Five Star General series...
- Star GeneralStar GeneralStar General is a strategy video wargame. It is one of SSI's popular hexagonal-movement games that bases its story setting on The Fleet, a series of books written by David Drake and Bill Fawcett. The game was developed by Catware and SSI in 1997....
- Panzer Tactics DSPanzer Tactics DSPanzer Tactics DS is a turn-based tactical video game for the Nintendo DS developed by Sproing Interactive. It was released in North America on November 7, 2007.-Gameplay:...
External links
- Herr General - Scenarios and editing tools for PG and AG
- Pepa's Panzer General center - debugged files for PG and AG, AG for DOS, custom scenarios and campaigns, media
- Tortoise Page - Scenarios and Custom Stuff for Panzer General and AG
- LGeneral - Free PG clone for Linux using graphics and scenarios from the original game