Codename: Panzers, Phase Two Review Summary

Fun gameplay and varied tactical missions improve on the predecessor, with a great story and voice acting, but frequent crashes, startup failures, and short rushed campaigns hold it back.

Graphics praised for age: Multiple clusters highlight that the graphics are good, appropriate, and well-made for the game's time, with some noting they are dated but still clear and viewable.

Gameplay is fun: Reviewers consistently describe the gameplay as a lot of fun, enjoyable, and mindless fun.

Improvements over predecessor: Sequel updates mechanics, increases difficulty, improves story, and enhances graphics compared to the first game.

Varied missions and tactical depth: Missions are noted for their variety, and the game is described as very tactical and an excellent strategy game.

Great story and voice acting: The story is called incredible and nice, and voice acting is praised as excellent and high quality.

Frequent crashes and startup failures: Players report the game often stops working, crashes on launch, or freezes with error messages, including after reinstall and at full resolution. Some cannot start it at all on Windows 10.

Short and rushed campaigns: Campaigns, especially the Partisan campaign, are very short and feel rushed and underdeveloped. Overall content is shorter than the first game, with fewer missions per campaign.

Dated graphics and poor effects: Graphics feel dated even for their time, with coarse textures and poor explosion effects. The intro is low definition and ugly, and the game lacks optimization for modern resolutions.

Multiplayer broken and underpopulated: Multiplayer is described as impossible to play due to constant freezes and disconnects, and the community is so sparse that finding matches is difficult.

Pathfinding and unit collision issues: Vehicle pathfinding is poor, with units constantly getting stuck, colliding in tight spaces, and taking strange detours. Troops block each other and sometimes get stuck in one place.

Real-time tactical strategy: The game is a real-time strategy/tactics title where players control multiple combat units and must plan carefully to avoid quick defeat. It includes dynamic missions that require fast attack or defense decisions.

Three campaign lines: There are three interconnected campaigns: Axis (German-Italian), Allied (American/British), and Yugoslav partisan. The partisan campaign unlocks only after completing the first two.

WWII historical setting: The game is a World War II strategy game with a historical-realistic focus, offering an RTS experience in various WWII battle theatres.

Multiplayer and co-op support: The game supports online multiplayer, co-op play with a friend, and skirmish modes against other players.

North Africa and Balkans scenarios: Campaigns and scenarios are set in North Africa, Italy, and former Yugoslavia, including the Italian campaign in Africa and the Yugoslav uprising.

Windows 10 compatibility problems: Several users report that the game does not run properly on Windows 10, including cases where it won't start without running as administrator. Others say it runs dodgy or not at all on Win10.

Performance stutters and lag: The game stutters despite various settings on older hardware, and lag can begin after a short time while moving the mouse. Some report better performance on weak computers, but others face persistent issues.

Audio problems and dropouts: Players experience sound issues such as no sound, audio dropouts, or crashes on startup related to audio. These problems affect the overall experience.

Crashes related to Alt+Tab: Alt+Tabing away from the game often causes crashes, sometimes after about a minute, and can produce error messages. This disrupts multitasking and gameplay.

Multiplayer freezes and disconnects: Multiplayer mode often freezes and always disconnects, making online play unreliable. This is a consistent issue reported by players.

Strong Overall Positive Reception: Many reviewers give the game high recommendations, often describing it as a must-have or worth buying. General sentiment is very favorable across multiple clusters.

Appeals to WWII RTS Fans: The game is repeatedly recommended for fans of WWII strategy and real-time tactics. It fits well within the niche of historical RTS games.

Good for Phase One Players: Players who enjoyed the first game are encouraged to get this sequel, often as a campaign expansion. Some prefer it over the predecessor for story reasons.

Wait for Sales or Discounts: Many suggest buying only on sale or at a steep discount, especially if you liked the first game. Bundles with all three games are highlighted as great value during sales.

Specific Faction and Theatre Interest: Players interested in the Italian Army, African campaign, or WWII battle theatres are specifically recommended. Hungarian players are also called out.

Community fair range: $3.00 - $10.00.

Game completion: 30.0h.

Story completion: 30.0h.

Players describe a steep opening for strategy newcomers, but the game's tactical freedom, pause-and-order control, and creative scenario options are the main sources of enjoyment. Multiplayer is mostly reported as dead or unstable, with one contradictory nostalgic positive note.

Friction: First hours are very hard for players new to strategy games; Campaigns can feel somewhat forced; Steam multiplayer servers are dead; Multiplayer frequently freezes and always disconnects.

Unlock drivers: Pause-and-order controls reduce reliance on clicks per minute; Creative tactical approaches such as flanking and rear attacks.

Nostalgic Series Veteran: Replays single-player campaigns and compares later entries against the original games they remember. Motivation: To relive childhood memories and revisit a formative WWII RTS from their early gaming years. Stance: buy.

WWII Tactical RTS Enthusiast: Plays mission-based tactical RTS battles with tanks, infantry, and combined-arms scenarios. Motivation: To experience classic tactical WWII combat in the Mediterranean and North African theaters. Stance: buy.

Casual Accessible RTS Newcomer: Plays casually through campaigns or skirmishes, favoring simple mechanics over competitive or hardcore simulation depth. Motivation: To have accessible, relaxing real-time strategy fun without needing deep genre expertise or a powerful PC. Stance: buy.

Linux and Proton: The provided feedback contains only positive Steam Deck runability evidence, with users reporting that the game runs and plays well on Steam Deck OLED. No Linux, Proton, SteamOS, Wine, anti-cheat, launcher, or performance problems are mentioned.

Old game from 2005: Multiple reviewers note the game is old, released in 2005, and still playable or aged well. Some consider it a classic from their childhood.

Compared to other RTS titles: Reviewers compare the game to Blitzkrieg, Sudden Strike, Men of War, Steel Division, and Age of Empires with tanks. It is described as more arcade-like than some titles.

Multiple localizations available: The game supports several languages including Hungarian, Polish, Italian, and Spanish dub. However, a built-in Russian language is likely missing, and Japanese is not supported on Steam.

Compared to Company of Heroes: Reviewers frequently compare the game to Company of Heroes, noting it can compete with that title but lacks base building and unit production. It is often called the predecessor to Company of Heroes.

North Africa campaign setting: The game features a campaign set in North Africa, continuing the story from the first game. It is an Afrika Korps themed edition of Phase One.