Panzer Corp 1 vs 2?

[kinshuk2]

My interest is piqued by the release of PC2 and seeing all the review videos for it. I have never played PC1 or PC2, or even the old Panzer General games.

Am thinking of taking the plunge into the PC series, but which is the better game: PC1 Gold Edition (which seems to have every DLC included), or the newest PC2?

I'm guessing it's a slightly unfair comparison, because PC1 Gold has 8 years of DLC content baked in, so gameplay hours and content aside, which is the actual better (more fun) game to play? Which game really makes you feel like a true Panzer commander in the thick of battle?

I've read a lot of mixed opinions on PC2, with posters in this sub and on Steam saying the gameplay and rules were actually much better in PC1, and PC2 is much more arcade-y and plays too much like Order of Battle.


Having played neither game though, I really have no idea.

BANNED

[kondi754]

Neither PC1 nor PC2 are simulators, but a logic games which uses the realities of World War II as a background.
I think that PC2 is much more diverse when it comes to ideas, it has relatively modern graphics, it is a better game because it is richer in everything.
If you have never played, I would suggest you play PC1 first, especially since there are big discounts as for the new car from last year, when a newer model is already on sale , you can also wait for the seasonal sales in the Slitherine store (the next one will probably be during the holiday season in December)
Ultimately, you should have both of these games

[Scrapulous]

I've read a lot of mixed opinions on PC2, with posters in this sub and on Steam saying the gameplay and rules were actually much better in PC1, and PC2 is much more arcade-y and plays too much like Order of Battle.

Really? I can think of one thing that might qualify as contentious this way (paratrooper behavior in MP). Granted, I don't pay much attention to reviews and comparisons like this, but I can't think of any mechanics that are obviously better in PC1, and the rules evolutions and developments made in PC2 seem fitting and fun to me. I wouldn't say that either game is especially like Order of Battle. I don't think PC1 is any less arcade-y than OOB or PC2, and it's arguably more arcadey in the sense that its ruleset is slightly less complex.

But I have never been able to figure out how to enjoy OOB. I enjoyed PC1 very much and played through the DLC multiple times. It's a great game, but the graphics might look a little dated by now to eyes used to more recent games. If that doesn't trouble you, I think it's well worth picking up.

[adiekmann]

I would recommend PC1 first. Why?

As some already have pointed out, it's much cheaper right now and you get the whole thing rather than waiting for the next DLC to be released.
Also, I think it would harder to go back to PC1 after playing PC2 because you'll miss the better graphics, gameplay improvements, etc.

It's also slightly easier in the rules/complexity department, though not necessarily in difficulty to win.

[funat]

My main issue is the graphics. All units look the same, which is hugely annoying. In PC1 I could clearly differentiate Pz3N from Pz3J, or T34-57 from T34-85. Here I can't differentiate Pz1 from Pz38(t) nor Bf109 from Ju87 which is ridiculous given "great graphics". I have to zoom in to see who is who. Another thing - there is no rotation? I cannot rotate the map or change angles like in a proper 3D? What is the purpose then?

[dalfrede]

. . . Another thing - there is no rotation? I cannot rotate the map or change angles like in a proper 3D? What is the purpose then?

That is one of several promised features that has yet to make it into the game.

One might consider waiting a year for PzC2 to get all it's upgrades done, and playing PzC1 in the mean time.

[funat]

So then we don't really have a 3D - we have some kind of an isometric view with some depth. Terrain also looks off a bit (forests) - but on that I can get used to.

[adiekmann]

My main issue is the graphics. All units look the same, which is hugely annoying. In PC1 I could clearly differentiate Pz3N from Pz3J, or T34-57 from T34-85. Here I can't differentiate Pz1 from Pz38(t) nor Bf109 from Ju87 which is ridiculous given "great graphics". I have to zoom in to see who is who. Another thing - there is no rotation? I cannot rotate the map or change angles like in a proper 3D? What is the purpose then?

I hear you and had the same problem too - at the beginning. But with time and using different skins I no longer suffer from this issue. In short, I got used to it. But, yes, I otherwise totally agree. It was much easier to tell the difference in PC1, even with the infantry units. I also use different skins/cammo schemes to help me identify and sort different units for other purposes too, like which tank has which heroes attached to it, for instance.

[kondi754]

I think that unit models should somehow stand out from the background, not be so pastel - it can be, for example, a bold line outlining the shape of the unit or a backlight or both
The models are great, but most players play at medium to high zoom.
Personally, I have no problem with this, have decent monitor

[funat]

That is why I was looking for rotation. I think the view angle is maybe problematic. Under that view angle I'd barely differentiate a VW Caddy vs Golf. In PC1 it was much more clear. I also increased a bit the size of units. As for diff. camo, ok I can use it - but then my army looks like bunch of rebels. Each unit in its own colours.

[proline]

That is why I was looking for rotation. I think the view angle is maybe problematic. Under that view angle I'd barely differentiate a VW Caddy vs Golf. In PC1 it was much more clear. I also increased a bit the size of units. As for diff. camo, ok I can use it - but then my army looks like bunch of rebels. Each unit in its own colours.

I pointed this out years ago. In PzC 1, you looked at the board from above but the units from the side. The units all had really distinct profiles. In PzC 2, you are looking at the units from above. All ground vehicles are rectangles from above- nothing to differentiate them.

[funat]

That is why I was looking for rotation. I think the view angle is maybe problematic. Under that view angle I'd barely differentiate a VW Caddy vs Golf. In PC1 it was much more clear. I also increased a bit the size of units. As for diff. camo, ok I can use it - but then my army looks like bunch of rebels. Each unit in its own colours.

I pointed this out years ago. In PzC 1, you looked at the board from above but the units from the side. The units all had really distinct profiles. In PzC 2, you are looking at the units from above. All ground vehicles are rectangles from above- nothing to differentiate them.

A way to set unit view in config beyond just size (but still respecting orientation due to battlefield and enemy direction) would be great. Allegedly it's a 3D map engine - haven't seen much of it yet.