WinSPWW2 (Windows, Steel Panthers, World War 2) is a World War II combined arms tactical level wargame. Its time frame covers 1930 to 1946 AD. This wargame is the latest and greatest version of what began as a classic super-mod for the classic SSI title, Steel Panthers 2: Modern Battles. Now completely updated to take advantage of the Windows operating system, WinSPWW2 completely sheds its DOS roots and brings tactical turn-based strategy gamers one of the most rewarding and engrossing titles they'll ever play.

German PzKpfw VI Tiger I - Heavy Tank.

German PzKpfw V Panther - Medium Tank.

WinSPWW2 features true combined arms warfare from 1930 through 1946, an era that saw the theories of J.F.C. Fuller and Giulio Douhet put to the test as the world burned. Fully Windows compatible, with all that entails (DirectX or Windows GDI based graphics, full Windows sound and mouse routines, et cetera), WinSPWW2 boasts an impressive array of features that will keep armchair generals fighting until someone has to drag their cold, dead hands off their mouse.

WinSPWW2 includes more than three hundred scenarios (332, to be exact), of which sixty-six are entirely new to WinSPWW2. There are sixty new maps, more than five hundred new and revised unit icons, six new nations (Slovak Republic, Manchukuo, Italian Social Republic, Vichy France, Polish Communists, and Chinese Communists), and new scripted long campaigns for France, Chinese Nationalists, and Chinese Communists.

New terrains have been added, and twelve of the terrain tile sets have been revised. Infantry squads can display up to nineteen men. Random maps are intelligently created, such as barbed wire added in defensive battles. The game can be played in 800x600 mode, and even higher (up to 1600x1200) with the enhanced version.

WinSPWW2 also features quite a bit of enhancements beneath the hood. The AI reaction fire routine has been re-written and is much more selective in its targeting, based on a variety of factors such as the weapon being fired and target type. A retire function for troop carriers have been added so that carriers without passengers now automatically head out of harm's way. Unarmed carriers will retire about a kilometer back from the front, while armed carriers will retire closer, ready to provide cover fire. Additionally, a new load up function for troop carriers under the AI has been added, where carriers will actively search for dismounts to pick up (though this is dependent on how close they are to the action).

WinSPWW2 is available (a full version of the game), as a free download, at Shrapnel Games web site (125 MB), or in a CD Edition that can be ordered at Shrapnel Games web site. Both provide players with the exact same, free game but the CD Edition includes helpful items like a printed quick start guide and nice goodies like higher possible resolutions, and a cut and paste map editor.

I highly recommend buying the CD version. I am most pleased and impressed with this game (even more than I was with WinSPMBT!). Another really outstanding achievement by Andy, Don and The Camo Workshop - wargamers doing their best to deliver a first-class product to our community. It is worth every cent.

Minimum Game Requirements:

Pentium II 500 MHz, 128 MB RAM, Windows 95+, Minimum 200 MB HDD Space, 8X CD ROM, DirectX 8.1, 3D Accelerator with 32 MB RAM, Windows Compatible Sound Card, Mouse.

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