Game Review (written by Curdog) Added on: 12/10/2006
Although it seems really cheesy this games does have a lot of value to it. In fact I have been playing this game every now and then for over the last 12 years or so. I suppose you probably should know the history behind the battle in order to really enjoy it. Crawford took a lot of time finding out each division that took place in the battle as well as many of the divisions commanders. I also like how in the middle of the game it tells personal accounts of soldiers (both American as well as German) who fought there. I always found it a bit eerie playing as the Germans because the forces were so overwhelming and even being able to control such units as SS Panzer troops. These SS units were many of the units who were involved in many of the war crimes. The game itself, however, was really cheap. I never thought I'd enjoy games with a bunch of arrows trying to destroy each other.
For being a game developed in 1992 it really isn't that bad. I always liked when a town was captured it will show clips of actual world war two footage of troops humping through snow, or troop transports rolling through a small village. In fact the action sequences are my favorite. I enjoy seeing the American GI squeezing off rounds out of his M1 Garand as he's repulsing off a German attack. Also watching the impact of mortar shells, and seeing artillery fire adds to the game. I suppose that actually is a big part of the game that I enjoy next to actually playing.
Patton Strikes Back is actually pretty realistic for being the way it was set up. As far as the dates of when extra troops arrive, the correct units, and of course when the weather clears for the allied air strikes. Supplies play a vital role in Patton Strikes Back as well. Nothing made me more mad when I had a full strength division ready to pound some small unit run out of supplies and shatter. And to make matters worse to get hit by another unit and surrender at full strength. That really sucks when that happens.
So ultimately this game is really worth playing if you want to take time and understand what’s going on. I don't see this as a failure on Chris Crawford’s part. In fact I think it was a pioneer for future games.
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(10/23/2006)
Although Patton Strikes Back is unarguably the worst game of Crawford's career, it was a novel (and noble) attempt to attract non-wargamers to the fray through simplified combat, colorful animations, and excellent help functions and database. A commendable effort that would not be taken up again until SSI's phenomenal Panzer General. |
