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DS gets a tank rush with Panzer Tactics

Turn-based WWII strategy gets to strut its stuff on a hex-based invasion map

DS gets a tank rush with Panzer Tactics
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DS
| Panzer Tactics DS

Summer, it seems, isn't about living easy any more. It's the time for handheld wargaming. With PSP generals laying out their plans as Sony Online's Field Commander readies for its July release, DS tacticians are preparing to refight history with August's Age of Empires.

But what's this? The deep rumbling of distant diesel engines, trails of fastmoving smoke - blitzkrieg! - it's CDV's WWII turn-based strategy game Panzer Tactics.

Coming exclusively to DS, three battlefield campaigns (played over a hexagonal grid, where each tile is in contact with six neighbours), will be available, with German, Russian and Western Allies options combining to provide a total of 30 single-player missions. Based on real situations from WWII, these will feature a mixture of massed assaults with more restricted commando operations where you have to carefully marshall your forces behind enemy lines.

Success will unlock bonus engagements, but only if you manage to complete all the mission options.

Building on the standard of the genre (as laid down by Nintendo's Advance Wars: Dual Strike), you'll get to control land, sea and air units (150 different types in total), with 20 special power-up attacks available to turn the tide of battle.

One area where Panzer Tactics is doing something unique however is its support for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection - it will be the first strategy game to do so - meaning you'll be able to take on up to three other players from around the world, with an online leaderboard keeping track of high scores. Adhoc multiplayer will also be available, again with a four player mode, as well as a hot-swap two player mode.

Panzer Tactics will be invading stores in time to make sure the war is over by Christmas.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.