REVIEW: Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1941

REVIEW: Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1941

Panzer Corps 2 continues to expand its Axis Operations campaign with a new DLC that brings the focus to the conflicts of 1941.

Released: Steam
Type: Single-player, Multi-player
Genre: Strategy
Developer: Flashback Games
Publisher: Slitherine Ltd.
Release date: 18 March, 2021

Overview

I’m genuinely impressed with the speed that quality DLCs are being released for Panzer Corps 2. Although Spanish Civil War had plenty of divisive elements that left a lot to be desired, those that followed have been of a progressively more reliably quality while leaning away from being experimental in their design. 1941 is the epitome of this approach as it’s adopted the strengths of previously released content while avoiding anything that fundamentally alters the classic Panzer Corps 2 experience.

1941 carries on the tradition of letting you decide where your forces are fighting.

Not Even Zeus Can Stop Us Now

The fight for the Balkans kicks off Axis Operations – 1941. As the latest extension of the DLC campaign, you can roll your forces straight from 1940 into it, allowing your veteran soldier to fight all the way from the Spanish Civil War until now. Though you’ll likely crush the Yugoslavian resistance early on whether you bring your old reliables or use the default starting force for the DLC, your foes will become an increasingly larger threat all the way up to the point that you’re facing off against the Soviets in Operation Barbarossa. They’re likely to put you through your paces and I’d even suggest that it’s the most challenging parts of the Axis Operations campaign to date aside from watching your AI-controlled allies blunder through whatever battles they find themselves in. Your allies clearly haven’t been able to scrape together the brains needed to run a successful operation yet and you’ll have to sit through the slog that’s their turn when they’re up to bat, but hey, at least you’ll be able to back them up in their efforts and deliver them victory as you always do.

Sometimes all your allies need is a pinch of help. Here you can see large portion of the Greek front suffering after their supplies have been cut off by a handful of German units.

Embracing the Panzer Corps DNA

I can’t stress enough that Axis Operations – 1941 really is just an expansion of the impressively designed DLC campaign. While weaknesses from previous content have been shored up, 1941 doubles down on what makes Panzer Corps 2 what it is. There are strikingly few gameplay-related alterations outside of enemy force compositions and scenario details, though the pieces have been rearranged to provide a new experience that has been honed into a science. Scenario objectives are challenging enough to keep you engaged, enemy forces are balanced skillfully enough that you’ll be digging deep tactically to overcome them, and there’s enough map variety that every unit on your roster will find itself useful. This all goes doubly when Barbarossa kicks off and you find yourself toe-to-toe with a foe that may surprise you with the raw firepower that they are capable of throwing in your direction. As you might expect, there’s a big difference between duking it out with the Greeks and the Russians.

If you like running over the opposition with your armor units, you’re going to love the expansive flat lands you’ll be coming across as you push eastward.

Verdict

Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1941 is easy to recommend to Panzer Corps 2 veterans who want new challenges to test themselves against. Mechanically speaking, it’s more of the same with new maps populated with new enemies. The aspects of the title that you love are here and waiting for you with open arms, though it’s a harder sell if you feel that you’ve had your fill of Panzer Corps and are looking for a fresh new experience. You won’t find that here.

I found 1941 to be more than worth the $9.99 price. There are dozens of hours of scenarios to keep you occupied and they’re new enough in their design that each feels like a new challenge. If you can’t get enough of crushing your foes under the treads of your panzers, you can’t go wrong with this content.

Written by
Aurumlamina
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