Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1943 DLC

Scouting, via air or recon vehicle, is more important than firepower. A turn without air support can be a disaster. Allow infantry to take casualties and tanks to take victories. I learned all these tactical lessons while playing World War II-centered strategy games, but I seem to forget them every time I return to the genre. And there is plenty more to learn when playing the new Axis Operations – 1943 content for Panzer Corps 2.

The DLC is developed by Flashback Games and published by Slitherine. This is the sixth piece of downloadable content for the World War II strategy title and the first one which allows players to significantly change the course of history.

In the real world, 1943 was the year when it became clear that Nazi Germany had no chance of winning on the Eastern Front and could only manage the pace of defeat. It also featured the massive Battle of Kursk, which occupies several scenarios in the DLC. Very good players, focused on extra objectives, will have a chance to use this big engagement to reverse the fortunes of the Wehrmacht.

Mechanically, Panzer Corps 2 has not been significantly changed. The action is turn and hex-based, centered around careful deployment and use of units. Players can choose from a wide array of units and need to tweak their tactical approaches based on local situation and enemy force composition.

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Many of the scenarios in Axis Operations – 1943 features limited force deployment and allied units that act on their own. It can create some interesting and challenging tactical scenarios while also sucking some of the pure fun out of the game.

Axis Operations – 1943 does not tweak any of the core presentation tenets of Panzer Corps 2 but adds a range of new units, all coming with detailed and solid-looking models. The soundtrack is also well-suited to the epic nature of the battles.

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Conclusion

Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1943 is yet another solid piece of DLC for the best current turn-based strategy take on World War II. The chance to change the course of the conflict is a big addition and it is very cool to play around with some of the most advanced pieces of hardware that Germany was able to create. For fans of the title it’s a definite Yay.

But this DLC basically requires a force that has been leveled up through previous campaigns to have a decent shot at victory. Worse, playing as Germany is getting tiring, despite the alternate history stuff. Flashback Games needs to add some variety by getting players some sort of Allied DLC to pierce the monotony.

Review code provided by the publisher.