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| Software Review | 
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| Title: | Steel Panthers II |
| Version: | 1.0 |
| Manufacturer: | SSI |
| Computer Tested On: | Toshiba Pentium 100 Laptop |
| Operating System: | Windows 95 |
| Reviewed By: | Frank Fogg |
| Review Date: | October-97 |
| Rating: | 
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OVERVIEW
Steel Panthers II is the latest addition to the Steel Panthers series. The game is a tactical battlefield simulation involving individual tanks, vehicles, helicopter, and small companies of up to ten soldiers. The time era covered is from 1950 through 1999.
The game allows either human against computer or human against human play. A number of historic scenarios are included that emulate famous battles over this era. Several campaigns are also included so that a series of continuing battles involving the same units can be played.
Each battle consists of approximately 15 to 30 turns, with each player moving and firing his units. A complete game takes about 2 to 5 hours to complete, with the longer campaigns taking up to about 50 hours to complete.
Virtually every major piece of military equipment and type of infantry unit for over 20 different major countries is included for selection by the user. A weapons encyclopedia is included to provide detailed information about and pictures of each unit including the weapons available to the unit.
The battlefield sizes vary, with the display showing an overhead view of the situation. A small map in the lower right corner allows moving to different areas of the map quickly.
Play is effortless, with almost every feature and informational tidbit only a left or right mouse click away. Only two minor combat options (smoke discharger and flame thrower) require a keystroke.
A number of short videos of modern combat units are also included with the game to liven up the transition from one scenario to the next.
STRONG POINTS
Attractive and easily understood user interface - Most features have a button or require a single mouse click to activate. The user options panel changes many game settings with a single mouse click.
Many different battle scenarios - In addition to the pre-configured battles and campaigns, a battle and campaign generator is included that allows the player to select different opponents, options and battlefields. The user can also create his own maps to simulate additional historic scenarios.
Good game speed - The game moves right along. There are numerous animations included that improve the visualization of the scenario. Tanks blow up, attack aircraft catch fire and crash, artillery leaves permanent craters in the landscape - well you get the idea.
WEAK POINTS
Installation - The installation program is DOS based. Windows 95 operating system users will need to create an icon on their desktop to start the program.
Program crashes - The program occasionally crashes and ends. This is not a nagging problem with this game, it just happens occasionally. I did not observe an instance of a program crash hanging the operating system, so as long as the game is saved every few turns, no other real damage occurs.
Email System - Once a play by email game begins, this is a very simple task. Several programs options such as air strikes require a work around on the initial turn if you are planning to play by email. The original program and patch also allow one player to see portions of the other player’s initial setup under certain circumstances. Hopefully these issues will be resolved in the next patch.
COMMENTS
A free upgrade to version 1.01 is available for download at SSI’s website. This patch fixes many minor flaws in the original program.
