XBox Wargame Goes Board

[Adam Parker]

Just noticed this new one over at BoardGameGeek:

Panzer General Arcade Assault

Looks a bit like Upfront with a twist - thick terrain cards form a map board with unit cards played in maneuver. Geared to the solo and head-to-head player.

Just a touch of rule errata so far. I might pick it up when it comes Down Under.

[Barthheart]

The Xbox version is kind of fun. Very light wargame but a fun way to waste an hour or 2 when you don't want anything deeper.

Haven't tried it online yet though.....

[leastonh1]

"Wargame" and "XBox" in the same sentence just doesn't seem right somehow.

[PunkReaper]

Its a ice little game... bit of fun

[Adam Parker]

A bit more about this game - here's a post from the developer's CEO Chuck Kroegel at its official forum. It explains the PC based genesis of this new incarnation of what indeed is an old favourite, not just a fluke in being called PG:

I was also one of the guys behind the original Panzer General series by SSI.

I think your observation is spot on in regard to this not being a conversion of the original game. Perhaps some day we might do that, but it would be similar to wargames already out there for you to play.

I am a big fan of card driven games and CCGs as well. I love the intensity and excitement those mechanics can bring to our gaming experience.

My goal with this game was to capture the essence of the original Panzer General and transport it into a new format that would enhance that experience...not to replace, but to differentiate. To me the original Panzer General was all about the tactical dance of different unit types working together to bring down the enemy. You scouted out the enemy with recon, softened him up with air and artillery, and then moved in to finish him off with your panzers and infantry as appropriate considering the defending terrain.

Panzer General:Allied Assault is also all about the tactical dance that is set up with different unit types and driven with the action cards in a variety of ways to allow you to take down the enemy.

Even though the maps in the original Panzer General were bigger and superimposed on a hex grid, the tactical battle was always a local exercise of bringing to bear the right units for the job. Even the Panzer General original series went through a fair amount of evolution through the various products.

I would submit to you that this game both in the boardgame and the XBOX format is a very natural successor to the original series and retains the "soul" of that game....but that is for each of us to judge. I hope you give it a chance.

-Chuck Kroegel

However, this doesn't reveal the key element behind this design...

It's a <groan> collectible card game! And if you buy quickly from the developer's website, you may just be lucky enough to get a Patton and a Rommel Action Card "whilst supplies last"!

Cross that one off my list

[SwampYankee68]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

A bit more about this game - here's a post from the developer's CEO Chuck Kroegel at its official forum. It explains the PC based genesis of this new incarnation of what indeed is an old favourite, not just a fluke in being called PG:

I was also one of the guys behind the original Panzer General series by SSI.

I think your observation is spot on in regard to this not being a conversion of the original game. Perhaps some day we might do that, but it would be similar to wargames already out there for you to play.

I am a big fan of card driven games and CCGs as well. I love the intensity and excitement those mechanics can bring to our gaming experience.

My goal with this game was to capture the essence of the original Panzer General and transport it into a new format that would enhance that experience...not to replace, but to differentiate. To me the original Panzer General was all about the tactical dance of different unit types working together to bring down the enemy. You scouted out the enemy with recon, softened him up with air and artillery, and then moved in to finish him off with your panzers and infantry as appropriate considering the defending terrain.

Panzer General:Allied Assault is also all about the tactical dance that is set up with different unit types and driven with the action cards in a variety of ways to allow you to take down the enemy.

Even though the maps in the original Panzer General were bigger and superimposed on a hex grid, the tactical battle was always a local exercise of bringing to bear the right units for the job. Even the Panzer General original series went through a fair amount of evolution through the various products.

I would submit to you that this game both in the boardgame and the XBOX format is a very natural successor to the original series and retains the "soul" of that game....but that is for each of us to judge. I hope you give it a chance.

-Chuck Kroegel

However, this doesn't reveal the key element behind this design...

It's a <groan> collectible card game! And if you buy quickly from the developer's website, you may just be lucky enough to get a Patton and a Rommel Action Card "whilst supplies last"!

Cross that one off my list

I've been playing it - it isn't a CCG in that sense. There are no cards to buy. One unlocks cards through playing the game, winning battles and obtaining various achievements. You can then customize your deck for playing solo or against others. None of the cards I have unlocked thus far are overbalanced, either.

[Adam Parker]

Thanks Swamp - I wonder if that is going to change as the promo video states "collectible card game"?

I know that Battlelore offered limied special figurines if that game was ordered a certain way and GMT offers exclusive extras for their P500 games (but these are usually released to the public months after). I'll keep an eye out.

[Sarge]

Wings of War is also doing a port to 360

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: Sarge

Wings of War is also doing a port to 360

I've heard that too... but any idea of when?

[SwampYankee68]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Thanks Swamp - I wonder if that is going to change as the promo video states "collectible card game"?

I know that Battlelore offered limied special figurines if that game was ordered a certain way and GMT offers exclusive extras for their P500 games (but these are usually released to the public months after). I'll keep an eye out.

No problem. Check out the demo when you can. I probably would have picked it up if it was "Meh" to encourage more development of wargames & strategy games for the 360. But as it turns out I like it allot. Nice touches, like the animations for certain cards being played or for the battles. Good pacing, diverse battlefields / boards. Overall, I highly recommend it.


My gamertag is SwampYankee68 if anyone wants to hook up for Panzer General - If you hit me up please put PG in the note so I know why.

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

ORIGINAL: Sarge

Wings of War is also doing a port to 360

I've heard that too... but any idea of when?

Heard that too and cannot wait! I haven't heard anything about where in the process it is.

[E]

Chuck Kroegel may be more famous to old-timers as the main programmer behind early SSI classic's such as Operation Market-Garden, Battles of Napoleon, etc, etc, etc, etc.

[SwampYankee68]

I played the heck out of most of SSI's wargames!

[killroyishere]

That was like the most awesome game back in those times Swamp Yankee. I used to setup my men in each of those buildings surrounding the town square and bust up the germans as they advanced into town. Then I'd write a "Combat" story about the event. I'd say X-Com Defender/Terror and Silent Storm are great successors to that game.

[E]

ORIGINAL: killroyishere

That was like the most awesome game back in those times Swamp Yankee. I used to setup my men in each of those buildings surrounding the town square and bust up the germans as they advanced into town. Then I'd write a "Combat" story about the event. I'd say X-Com Defender/Terror and Silent Storm are great successors to that game.

I always thought of Soldiers of War as the spiritual successor to Computer Ambush.

[Barthheart]

Man I played Soldiers at War for a long time. That was the one with letters for your soldiers right?
Then they a isometric 3D-ish version that was great too.
Then they made Squad Leader that sucked so bad...

[E]

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

Man I played Soldiers at War for a long time. That was the one with letters for your soldiers right?

No, that's Computer Ambush (see the back of the box posted above by swamp yankee).

ORIGINAL: Barthheart
Then they a isometric 3D-ish version that was great too.

That was Soldiers at War.

ORIGINAL: Barthheart
Then they made Squad Leader that sucked so bad...

I heard absolutely nothing good about it at time (or subsequently), so I skipped it.