Panzer General III: Scorched Earth.

• Author: Silbergeld, David LL.
• Position: Evaluation - Brief Article

From the team that brought you the PG (Panzer General) Series--especially PG 3D Assault, emphasizing strategy as its driving force, coupled with a unique 3D engine that provides effects such as rain, fog and snow--we have another chapter. It is called Scorched Earth.

The scene has shifted to World War II's Eastern Front, added four new campaigns (two German, two Soviet) and provided a random battle generator allowing you to create scenarios with British, American, German or Soviet units.

Strategic coordination of your units requires a lot of forethought and planning, such as the option of promoting chosen "veteran" commanders to give them units with more capability. But many of the battles--the capture of Warsaw, for example--are basically replays of PG I and II.

There is a 3D strategic map, which can be puzzling, since we are used to 2D maps. A vertical view may be a unique experience for the first-time gamer, but no great shake for the true military strategist, whose goal is to see the entire battlefield and acquire a general overview.

There are eight different equipment classes in PG III Scorched Earth: infantry, tanks, recon, anti-tank, artillery, air defense, fighter and bomber. Within each class, there are types (i.e., the tank...