Panzer Battles - Battles of Kursk - Southern Flank

[Bullman]

I only recently heard of this title by John Tiller Software. It is the first release in a new series (it sits in scale between two other games series they publish, Panzer Campaigns and Squad Battles) with each hex representing 250m, 30min per turn and platoon/section level units.

I am tempted to buy it as it not only seems to have some pretty cool mechanics (the rule book can be downloaded), but it also represents a decent effort by this developer to finally at least start putting in some effort to start pulling itself out of the awful 1990s quality/level graphics presentation quagmire that have plagued most/all of their releases. The amateurish look/feel/presentation of many JTS titles and their apparent contempt to making things look at least pleasing to the eye has put me off them in the past (I probably would get Squad Battles if it had Panzer Battle quality graphics).

Check it out here: http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/BattlesOfKurskSouthern.html

Anyone have it?

If you have any interest in this game perhaps we can both get it and give PBEM a go.

 

[Bootie]

I got it.... will do a review in a few days.

 

[Bullman]

Incredible timing! Depending on the outcome of the review, there may already be a potential PBEM opponent!

 

[Bootie]

Cool.

 

[olaf]

Was there a review then?

 

[Bootie]

Nope... got caught up fixing a car.... promise I will do one in the next few days.

 

[olaf]

Alright I got this game. Bullman did you get it?

 

[Bullman]

No I have held off. Have been awaiting Booties review.

 

[Bootie]

Tomorrow I plan to do a little Bootie plays piece for the YouTube channel. Hold fire.

 

[Bootie]

@Bullman @olaf

 

[Rico]

@Bullman @olaf

Thanks for the video -- pity the game still looks like something out of the 90's graphics-wise.
Might be a little dull to play with larger scenarios when having to watch through the enemy moves replay.

 

[Bullman]

Nice video Bootie...there seems some really cool features in the manual (supply, partisans etc)...JTS are improving...but I am with Rico on this one...it's not just the graphics (which, credit to them, they have finally started to address)...its more that they are basically using the same mechanics/engine/functions/UI/displays/approach to designing wargames as they had 16 years ago...I just can't bring myself to supporting (encouraging) developers with this kind of appraoch

 

[Kevinkin]

Thanks. Just saw this review. Looks like the Tiller marketing is all wrong. Instead of the same 'ol wargame with great documentation perhaps compile a historical book accompanied by a wargame as a bonus? There might be a niche among all the behemoths on the topic written so far. I have most of them by now.

Kevin

 

[Tyson Pearsall]

Just bought an iPad and have been filling it with various apps. Tried my luck at looking for some war games, though there aren't many that really seem realistic or peak my interest. I did however try my luck at looking for some John Tiller stuff, because I though that tile strategy games would be fairly easy to play/be somewhat compatible with iPad UI. I found quite a few games and they are for sale all basically for 5$ or less. I'm not totally sure of the overall content available for these games, since the computer games seem to be priced around the 30$ range. So my question is if anyone might have any info on this? Wondering if its a worthwhile purchase.

 

[Kevinkin]

I have Tiller PzC for Android and it appears to work but the small screen makes it difficult for me.
Check it out since the price is low and it will be worth it while stuck on a runway next time just to play
the tutorial.

 

[olaf]

Im up for a PBEM here. Anyone?