Pacific General, released in 1997 by Strategic Simulations Inc., is a great and very popular turn-based war strategy game. Pacific General is one in a series of games built on the Panzer General line (also including People’s General) and based in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. At the beginning of the game the player chooses to align with either the Japanese or American armed forces and begins a multi-mission campaign extending to the end of the war (which will depend on the success of your missions).
Pacific General, released in 1997 by Strategic Simulations Inc., is a great and very popular turn-based war strategy game. Pacific General is one in a series of games built on the Panzer General line (also including People’s General) and based in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. At the beginning of the game the player chooses to align with either the Japanese or American armed forces and begins a multi-mission campaign extending to the end of the war (which will depend on the success of your missions).
The simple graphics were not impressive even at the time of the release of this game, so don’t expect much eye candy. Although I consider the graphics and sounds nostalgic, others probably would not agree. The main game engine is built around
eight-sided slots which units can occupy, move through, or attack; with units supporting one another and including infantry, tanks, recon, fighter planes, bomber planes, artillery, anti-tank guns, sea units, and more.
The first time I enjoyed playing Pacific General was a memorable experience. I had already played through Panzer General and was looking forward to this one. I remember that the game engine is truly hard to beat and a fun challenge. The missions seem to keep you wanting to play as a story unfolds depending on how you do each mission. More importantly, your core units travel with you from mission to mission throughout your entire campaign. As you upgrade their equipment and they gain special powers, their experience continues to grow and they become much more powerful than less experienced enemy units.
My favorite part of the game is the replay ability factor. If I was not satisfied with my performance during a mission I would often replay that mission or scrap the campaign altogether and put together a new core group. As the Japanese side, you will find yourself building experience in China and quickly attacking Allied territories, with the hopes of invading American islands and possibly the mainland. As the Americans, the campaign opens with Pearl Harbor and continues through a much more historically accurate line. Once you play through the missions a few times, you will find yourself tweaking how you put together your core units slightly to try different things- realizing five fighter planes is three or four too many is a sobering feeling.
If you enjoy Pacific General you should definitely try the original Panzer General as well as its sequels Panzer General II and III. In addition, Allied General and Peoples General are built on the same engine. Pacific General offers the unique experience of playing through the Pacific campaign and is a real treat for strategy or war game fans.
