September 2, 1999 Web posted at: 8:34 a.m. EDT (1234 GMT) by Marc Saltzman

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(IDG) -- SSI's Panzer General games have long been considered the first mainstream (not to mention highly successful) wargames for the PC, responsible for introducing hundreds of thousands of new players to computer wargaming.

But to the 17-member design team hard at work on yet another sequel, the company's only scratched the surface in recruiting novice, or "casual," gamers, who may be intimidated by the complexity of the ol' hexagonal and historical turn-based titles.

Thus, the newest effort is Panzer General 3D Assault (PG3DA), and as you can probably guess from the name, it's in true 3D, among other new features. Here's the skinny on the latest -- and perhaps greatest -- in SSI's award-winning series, destined to satiate a varied assortment of gamers.

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PG3DA lets you fight as Americans, the British, the French, or Germans in eight campaigns in World War II's Western Front, including North Africa. For the first time in the series, there's a true 3D battlefield with over 200 3D units. This new setup also includes a free-floating rotating camera and zoomable map, as well as a dynamic lighting system.

According to Rick White, the producer for the game and an 11-year veteran at SSI, going 3D offers much more than aesthetics. "It also means staying away from cumbersome interface issues," he explains. "When a unit burns, the level of burning tells you the level of damage. Being at a higher elevation gives you a combat bonus--and 3D makes it obvious when you hold the heights. A unit in the woods or city is tread depth in these environments, and therefore is much better protected. The experience is enhanced with the additional things 3D can bring: planes crashing, dust trails, fog of war, etc."

Another addition to PG3DA is the inclusion of an Action Combat System. Hardcore wargamers, don't roll your eyes -- this isn't an RTS game. The incorporation of an ACS means leaders now have the ability to manipulate individual units and give multiple commands (fire, move, refit, and so on) during each turn. In fact, much of the gameplay in PG3DA puts the emphasis on leaders rather than individual units, unlike the past two Panzer General titles.

Why's that? White replies: "Equipment is equipment. It doesn't get better; the people in the equipment get better. There were times [in Panzer General II] where a five-star Tiger tank was virtually indestructible. This isn't true anymore. A 10-star leader will now die as quickly as a two-star leader. Plus, we put control of the promotions in the player's hands."

Up to four people will battle it out in the 20 multiplayer scenarios playable over a LAN or the Internet, and for the first time, the host can modify up to eight gameplay elements, including a countdown timer. For instance, the German player has a disadvantage in "Ambush at Arras," so the host may increase his starting leader experience, boost his unit strength, and give him unlimited ammo.

PG3DA won't come with an editor, but White says chances are good that one will be bundled with the next incarnation of the series (which, incidentally, will likely concentrate on WWII's East Front).

Fortunately, PG3DA adds a number of new features, a streamlined interface, and simplified gameplay, but all without neglecting the needs of hardcore players and without compromising what made the first two titles so sought-after in the first place.

If all fares well between now and the game's projected October release date, it looks like No. 3's key for SSI, its legions of dedicated wargaming fans, and hopefully, even more casual gamers looking for something different this holiday season than the several Tomb Raider clones or yet another Quake-killer.