Call to Arms: Panzer Elite

I went into Call to Arms: Panzer Elite with grounded expectations after reading other reviews and seeing it was still early access. After playing the first few missions I can see the game has a lot going for it and I look forward to playing more. As someone who's invested a lot of time into War Thunder as a Ground RB main, I've always wanted to experience controlling tanks in a single player campaign driven game with similarly realistic damage physics, Panzer Elite could be the game I and many others have been looking for depending on what the devs have in mind for the future. Pros: - The ability to choose between a standard or realistic HUD. This was a huge relief to see as I was expecting the game to feel too arcade-like based on the trailers. - Destructible Environments, including buildings which can collapse if shot or driven into. - The combat mechanics, shooting at and blowing up tanks and armoured cars is very satisfying. - Tanks feel weighty and difficult to manoeuvre at times, which adds to the immersion. - Atmospheric and detailed environments. - Multiple ways to approach a task. Defending or attacking positions involves a level of planning and creativity. Finding ways t…

The game has a good foundation but is a LONG way from ready. The pathfinding AI for your platoon is useless, just expect to fight alone. The enemy can spot/shoot you with devastating accuracy from a long distance, even on the move. Soldiers with bazookas pop up out of nowhere to destroy you with one hit. Maneuvering is poor and the tanks frequently do the opposite of what you steer them to. I can't recommend until the game gets better.

Hope this is just REALLY EARLY ACCESS: potential is enormous, but what's been offered & implemented at this stage is just a pinky of a complete 10 fingers of what could be: for instance, detailed info on crew and machine parts status is displayed, but no 1 on 1 connection of that with the actions that you as a player/tank commander can undertake to fix or prioritize a particular one. Spotting and positioning lacks depth and is not really pushed by the game, so you end up driving towards the next waypoint, look around and start shooting as soon as you spot any enemy. Tension? Excitement? Nothing, just red outlined silhouettes to shoot with either main gun or machinegun. Now either win it, or retreat to repair... Meh. Immersion? The enemy soldiers just mostly stand in position like bots without situational awareness to react to your shooting. A hangar to show vehicles... what for? Well to show them off I guess, but any customization or combat config or preparation? Neh. I can go on, there's a lot that is lacking unfortunately. Shame, could have been fabulous.

Game has a LOT of potential. But right now? Let's see... Halftracks impervious to HE? Yes. AI pathfinding? Horrendous. Armor and gun modeling? Questionable. Enemy AI, either awful OR too good... You get both. Friendly AI? Useless. I wanted to shoot my own platoon mates a thousand times already. Graphics? Very good! Sound effects? Very good! Destruction effects? Awesome! (So fun to blow up buildings with HE and realize you killed an AT team!) This COULD end up being a fantastic and fun game. We shall see.

Fun game it has great graphics and a epic campain but needs fixes with constant lag spikes

Good gritty game..............