WWII Tank Commander

WWII Tank Commander is one of the easiest games to figure out. Though it is simple as all get out, there is something to be said for a game that has virtually no learning curve. Just pop it in and start blowing the Germans back to oblivion.

You command a Sherman tank in General Patton’s Fourth Armored division. You follow the campaigns of “Patton’s Best” destroying enemy armor and infantry, escort allied convoys, rescue hostages and help free Europe from Nazi rule. Your weapons are a Sherman tank armored with one tank gun able to heave mortars great distances, and one machine gun with infinite ammo.

I was disappointed that the game lacked any realism and was just too easy to play. I liked the simplicity of the game play but it lacked basic tank physics that you would expect from such a title. For example I’m in a tank right? Why should a wooden crate or a wooden fence block my path? Why do my lead units take the full frontal assault and seem invincible while I can sit back and pick off tank after tank. So getting frustrated that they always lead the way, I try and move out and front. So I try and edge my way out around a corner and end up getting pushed out into the fray by my own buddies. C’mon guys. My last gripe is the enemy just sits there and waits for the attack and never chases or hunts you down. You can just keep hiding behind the fog of war, move up and shoot and back off. That is not very realistic in my book. Though the game does try and offer some different tasks and scenarios, it is still just blow away every tank and infantry that stands in your way to get the job done.

Visually the game looks Ok but it lacks real depth from most of today’s titles. I personally expect to be able to reduce houses to a pile of rubble while commanding a tank and that just doesn’t happen here. Heck, I should at least be able to blow a piece of a building or a fence apart yet my shells just had no effect. The special effects, or lack thereof, were weak but still the game is entertaining despite its mediocre sound track and sound effects.

Though the game is simple and fun to play, it does lack the realistic qualities that most gamers come to expect. Depending on a gamer’s particular need; this is either a great game to get some aggression out with, or it is a game that is just too plain to really have any shelf life. The fact that there is no multiplayer at all will for sure detour many gamers from purchasing this title.

Gameplay: 7.5
There is almost no learning curve. Any casual gamer will be up in playing in seconds. There is no tutorial or practice level but it really is not needed. Levels are only saved upon a successful completion so you will not be able to save mid-game. Besides its shortcomings there is a variety of playing fields spread over about ten levels, and the action is pretty much non-stop. This title will most likely appeal to casual and younger players.

Graphics: 6.5
Though it looks a bit dated, it will play on most systems. I would have liked to have seen some better special effects for added realism, like better damage modeling, destroyable buildings, and enemy units that actually pursue you.

Sound: 6.0
Nothing real exciting here.  

Difficulty: Easy
Though the game is easy to play, getting through the multiple challenges can be quite difficult. There is no option to select the difficulty or multiplayer capability so once you finish the game it will most likely end up on a shelf.  

Concept: 6.5
Yet another WWII type game. I did like the simplicity but I was stunned that there was no multiplayer, difficulty toggles, or a mid-game save option.

Overall: 6.5
For 20 bucks or so it’s not too terrible for the money. This will most likely appeal to younger players or those who want to jump in and play without spending time thumbing through an extensive manual. Though the game does promote violence on a war-type level, the game is not very graphic at all.