Preview: Panzer Tactics DS

Panzer Tactics DS is the only of its type currently in development for the Nintendo DS a: turn-based WWII strategy game. Panzer Tactics DS follows true to the course of history very carefully. Of course, there is a little deviance to allow for more interesting game-play, but on the whole, the path of history runs true.

Choosing to play as the Allies, the Axis or the Russians, the player is able to embark in the many campaigns that occurred throughout the Second World War. There are multiple difficulty levels; however, each of those have been adjusted to suit the campaign's military history. Therefore some campaigns are harder than others, regardless of the difficulty setting.

The hexadecimal style of battle is familiar and comfortable, especially after playing games such as Age of Empires and Advance Wars; the only major difference is the difficulty in distinguishing between the units at first glance. Naturally, some planes in the Second World War looked similar to other planes, and this ambiguity has been transferred across to the DS platform as well. The only way of being absolutely certain of which unit has been selected is by checking the vital statistics of the unit. These are fortunately located on the top DS screen, as is most of the information throughout the game.

Aside from the ambiguity of the characters, the actual graphics themselves are shaping up very well. There are few instances of pixel graphics, even though that’s clearly what’s being used for the game. Further, the textures of the ground and the ocean don’t feel repeated like many lesser DS games, and older SNES and NES games. At the start of most of the training missions and campaigns there will be some pixel art characters next to the substantive text, and every character has a degree of individuality and the edges are smooth and a pleasure to look at.

The touch screen is used to great effect with the title at the moment. All of the menus are selected with the touch screen, although the option of using the D Pad is also there as well. Equally all of the units in game are moved using the touch screen, but again with the option of using the D Pad. The touch screen has been implemented well as although you may move units using the touch screen, all information is delivered on the top DS screen. Not to mention the fact that the touch screen is incredibly accurate with this title.

The audio quality of Panzer Tactics DS is good, although throughout most of the game it’s just basic war sounds. The menus and all other aspects of off game-mode sounds unique, it's not just the cut and paste job of many other games in similar genres. The music does not sound tinny through the DS speakers and sounds even better through personal headphones.

The biggest problem with the title is the ridiculously steep learning curve. Although there are tutorials offered, the curve is still too high. Each tutorial seems basic enough when you select them, then there’s a very hefty amount of text to read through with a few basic maneuvers of units on the screen. There are ten different tutorials to get through first of all, with an option of a glossary in case the information the tutorials deliver is lost to the ether.

Whilst trying to digest the information that’s provided in the tutorial, playing the game can become incredibly confusing at first. After a few attempts at playing some of the campaigns, it becomes a lot easier to understand what’s going on. Despite this, it takes far too long to understand how to destroy enemies and take over their bases.

Aside from the learning curve, Panzer Tactics DS is looking like it’s going to be a strong game, and we should hopefully see a release date very soon.