About Panzer Elite
Introduction
Panzer Elite follows the initial skirmishes between the German and American
forces through North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy.
As a Platoon Commander, your primary interest is on your own and crew's battle
performance. You must fulfill your mission objectives while preserving yourself
and crew. You must also strategically limit the exposure of your wingmen.
Survival of the war is your primary objective.
System Requirements
Panzer Elite runs on Windows 95 and Windows 98 using DirectX technology. The minimum system requirements are:
Min. With accellerated 3D Card: Pentium 233MMX, 64MB Rec. P2 266
The game supports cards using Direct3D and customized settings for many existing videocards.
Locations
North Africa
After the allied landing in North Africa (Operation Torch) at the end of 1942,
the Germans were threatened on two fronts. With resources already scarce and
over-stretched, the Germans retreated to Tunisia. Playing for the American side,
the player is confronted with pitting inferior technology against the German
forces. Participating for the Germans entails strategic management of limited
resources while preparing to retreat to Tunisia.
Sicily
Having survived the latter part of the Desert War, the German player is again on
the retreat after the landing of further American forces.
The mountain terrain proves a different challenge to the tank platoons compared
to the endless regions of the desert.
Italy
After the landing of the Americans in Italy, the German side finds itself on
large defensive battles. Meanwhile the American player will receive full support
for the first time. Large city battles also provide an additional challenge to
both sides.
Normandy
Using the latest technology on either side, the player finds himself in the
midst of The Battle of Normandy.
The initial landing of Operation Cobra commences with intense artillery
barrages. At The Falaise Gap, large contingents of German forces are encircled
as the player is confronted with the difficult and dense terrain.
Game Modes
The player has the option among various game modes:
Instant Action
The player is placed in a landscape and will be confronted with an
unlimited numbers of enemies. The time of his survival will be his score.
Single Scenario
All campaign scenarios can be played individually in this mode.
Campaign
Default mode of the game. The player has to succeed in single scenarios to gain
access to the next. Over time his experience will enhance his crews and new
technology becomes available.
Three different campaign length cover the three war-theatres available in the
game
Network Modes
Deathmatch
Each player entering this mode must survive as long as possible. Last one
standing wins.
Contest Scenario
Same as above only that the players are on opposing sides and have a mission to
complete ie hold a village etc..
Game Settings
The player can adjust the game settings according to his play experience. A
simulation veteran can set everything to realistic while the occasional player
can adjust them to make the game more accessible to casual players.
Scenario Content
Mission Goals
The player has various tasks to fulfill in order to complete a scenario. Those
tasks are not necessarily bound to historic missions but can be supportive or
peripheral in nature.
Example: Missions
Some example missions for better understanding of the variance of missions
possible:
Any of those listed can be either primary, secondary, bonus or hidden goals.
Landscape
The landscape simulated in the game is highly detailed and covers terrain from
North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy. Details include bushes, individual
trees, houses, ruins, fences and walls.
The terrain features are not just for decoration and serve a real function.
Trees can be run over and buildings or walls collapse. Trees hinder visibility
differently to houses. Shells exploding leave craters behind (driving becomes
more difficult), whereas smoke and dust lessen visibility.
The scale of the landscape goes down to 2.50 meters per polygon. A medium-sized
scenario consists of 4 million polygons and represents an area of 5 kilometers
squared. With the ground detail and vehicles added, a scenario can amount to
over 8 million polygons.
Vehicles
The player starts with the basic technology tanks from late 1942 and through
experience and success during the course of the game more and more tanks are
made available to the player. Modifications become available over time to
fine-tune or modify the characteristics of the tanks. This includes additional
armor, special ammunition, wet tanks to protect crew from ammo explosions,
etc...
German Player Tanks (12, in order of appearance)
American Player Tanks (11, In order of appearance)
Additional German AI Controlled Units (39)
| Panzer II F | Tiger Ausf. B | StuG IIIG(L) | StuH 42G | StuPz IV | Marder III H |
| Hornisse | Hetzer | JgdPz IV | JagdPanther | SPW 250/1 | Elefant |
| SPW 250/sMG | SPW 250/8 | SPW 250/9 | SPW 250/10 | SPW 251/MG | SPW 251/1 |
| SPW 251/9 | SPW 251/10 | PSW 222 | PSW 232 | PSW 233 | |
| PSW 234/1 | PSW 234/2 | PSW 234/4 | FlakPz IV | SdKfz 7/1 | |
| Opel Blitz | Kuebelwagen | SdKfz 7 | Infantry | MG-Team | AT-Team |
| Mortar | Hvy-Mortar | Pak 37 | Pak 38 | Pak 40 | 88 Pak 43 |
Additional American AI Controlled Units (22)
| Priest | Scott | Jeep | M3 |
| M3A1 | M3 MMG | M3 HMG | M3A1 GMC |
| M16 MGMC | M3 Scout Car | M20 Scout | M8 Arm. Car |
| 6 Ton 6x6 | AT-Gun 37mm | AT-Gun 57mm | AT-Gun 3in |
| Infantry | Parachutists | MG-Team | Bazooka Team |
| BAR Team | Mortar Team |
84 units in total.