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> Results: Panzer Tactics DS
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The ESRB says:
Alcohol References: GamerDad found only implied references to alcohol in a stereotypical combat soldier culture way during mission briefings and debriefings. Mild Violence: GamerDad found optional cut scene animations for attacks during battles where tiny units would exchange gunfire and fall down or give off smoke if hit. Mild Language: GamerDad found gruff speech and other mannerisms during mission briefings intended to add personality and theme to the game. Portable strategy gaming continues to get better and better. As handhelds grow in power, deeper strategic games are developed to take advantage of that power. Panzer Tactics DS has all the depth of a game from the classic turn-based PC wargame era, but it comes in the palm of your hand. Panzer Tactics DS is a classic style wargame. Players take control of a group of combat units including tanks, ships, planes, infantry, artillery, and even special unit officers. These troops are then used to assault or defend strategic points on the map or simply destroy enemy units on a hexagonal map. A commander needs to keep track of each unit's strengths and weaknesses and monitor the many other battlefield variables such as ammunition and gas supplies, sight ranges, terrain effects, and morale. The solo game revolves around three separate campaigns of increasing difficulty: an Axis campaign, a Soviet campaign, and a Western Allied campaign. During the campaign, players are given mission briefings with specific goals. Achieving goals awards the player with fame points which can be used to supply or heal units during a battle or recruit new units and officers for the next one. The better a player's performance, the more points awarded. In a slight nod to more Nintendo style gamers, units can earn experience and get better over the course of several battles, eventually gaining special abilities. After a scenario is completed in campaign mode, it can be replayed in the scenario menu. Multiplayer is possible by passing the same DS back and forth but is also an option over the internet and via local wireless gaming. Each player needs their own copy of the game, however. Games over the internet can be played with friends by exchanging friend codes or by a random matching service. Both internet and LAN game statistics can be uploaded onto the internet and are recorded to give players an online ranking.  The dual screens of a DS provides a great way to display information for information-heavy games such as this. When paired with the handy stylus pen for an interface, it makes Panzer Tactics DS the king of handheld turn-based wargames. Rather than go for a glitzy over-the-top storyline and characters, the developers have chosen to stay with a more serious approach that focuses on a more historical perspective. It is pulled off well and should be of interest to anyone who wants a solid wargame and either doesn't want or doesn't need all the glitz of a fictional fantasy battle. 
As a wargame simulating the complexities of real-world battles and campaigns, this game isn't for everyone. However, everything is presented clearly and the training missions help those new to wargaming get up to speed. The game functions at an operational level, so the nasty, personal side of war is completely abstracted and isn't presented. The ESRB nails the age category for this one at 10+ years old. Much younger than that and a child will probably run into difficulty keeping track of all the necessary strategic dependencies and options. The few mild ESRB warnings are simply a result of a bit of soldierly theming and flavor.
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